Landing in the top spot is Avila Beach in California. Tucked into a cove on the state's Central Coast, Avila Beach boasts golden sand and warmer waters than its neighbors. Kayak, paddleboard or stroll ...

Kure Beach was the only North Carolina destination to earn a spot in the top 10. The town, a roughly 15-mile drive south from Wilmington, is home to an aquarium, a historic fishing pier and other ...