Just for summer: 51 great beaches

 

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New Jersey's southernmost resort town, Cape May, boasts clean and wide ocean beaches and cozy, secluded bay beaches. TripAdvisor named it the No. 2 beach destination in the USA in 2011. Cape May also is renowned for perfectly preserved Victorian B&Bs and has gussied-up waterfront hotels and motels. 866-922-7362; discovercapemay.com

— Recommended by Ken Schlager, editor, New Jersey Monthly

New Mexico

The Blue Hole, aka "Nature's Jewel," in landlocked Santa Rosa, is a spring-fed pool with an inflow of 3,000 gallons per minute of crystal-clear 64-degree water. About 80 feet in diameter, it widens as it deepens, to 130 feet. It's a popular swimming and diving spot today. But it dates to prehistoric times. Later, Spanish explorers, Pueblo Indians and, likely, Billy the Kid before he rode into Santa Rosa, cooled off in the Blue Hole. The '30s brought Route 66, and the spot gained fame as one of the most refreshing stops along the Mother Road. It still is. santarosanm.org

— Recommended by Jan Butchofsky, travel photographer and longtime New Mexico resident

New York

At just over 30 miles long and under a mile wide, car-free Fire Island near New York City consists of national seashore, private property and vast expanses of golden-sand beaches that take up almost half the land. Visitors spend the summer swimming, taking lazy hikes, or getting around by rented bikes and little red wagons. If you haven't rented a cottage, head to Ocean Beach for a hotel — as well as most of the island's few restaurants and all its nightlife. nps.gov/fiis/index.htm

— Recommended by Neil Schlecht and Jason Clampet, Frommer's Guides

North Carolina

The state's coastline is one long, 300-mile beach: The trick is finding a stretch that's not so remote you have to bring your own drinking water, or so overrun by T-shirt huts and putt-putts that you want to flee. Oak Island, south of Wilmington, has a nice blend of basic amenities and miles of open, mellow beach. There's great kayaking on the sound side, a transportation system friendly to bikes, and small-town atmosphere. southport-oakisland.com

— Recommended by Joe Miller, a North Carolina-based blogger

North Dakota

North Dakota is far from an ocean, but it still has beautiful beaches, such as the hidden gem in Icelandic State Park. The beach along the shore of Lake Renwick is simply known as "the swimming area," and its wide swath of soft sand invites digging in toes, building sandcastles and relaxing after a dip. Visitors also can cast a line here. 701-265-4561; parkrec.nd.gov

— Recommended by Beth Schatz Kaylor, North Dakota-based writer and blogger

Ohio

Cedar Point Beach was already acclaimed by a local newspaper in 1867 for its white sand and prime location along the north-central shore of Lake Erie. The beach grew in popularity boosted by a water trapeze, an 1892 roller coaster, and the historic Breakers Hotel. Today, the beach still boasts a mile stretch of pristine sand, a world-famous amusement park, parasailing, volleyball tournaments, and a unique list of famous guests and events throughout its history. cedarpoint.com

— Recommended by Tom and Joanne O'Toole, Ohio-based travel/outdoor journalists

Oklahoma