The best U.S. beaches to visit in 2025, based on a new study

Planning your 2025 beach vacation?

By Amanda Teague Published February 21, 2025

Avila Beach — PublicCo / Pixabay

As travelers start planning their perfect beach getaway for 2025, a new study has revealed the top destinations to visit across the United States. HomeToGo has just released its 2025 Beach Index, ranking the best 35 beach destinations based on factors like affordability, local charm, hidden gem status, and ideal weather conditions.

Taking the top spot this year is Avila Beach, California, a picturesque retreat on the state’s Central Coast. With its golden sands, invitingly warm waters, and a high Hidden Gem Score, Avila Beach offers a peaceful escape before it becomes a mainstream favorite.

Recommended Videos

Rounding out the top three are Kure Beach, North Carolina, and Cherry Grove Beach, South Carolina. Kure Beach is a serene alternative to North Carolina’s busier shorelines, while Cherry Grove Beach is beloved for its gentle surf and the iconic Cherry Grove Pier.

The study also offered some financial insights, finding that in 2025, beach-goers can expect to pay an average median nightly price of $121 per person. However, Surfside Beach, Texas, offers the most wallet-friendly accommodations, with a median price of only $66 per person.

America’s best beaches: The full list

North Carolina beach — erinlanderson / Pixabay

Here’s the full list of America’s best beaches, according to HomeToGo.

Topics

Destinations

Contributor

Amanda, an accomplished freelance writer featured in several online publications, is a dedicated explorer of both the world…

Travel

This popular European country has been issued a travel advisory despite record tourism in 2025

The United States is cautioning travelers who are visiting Spain this summer

Madrid

Spain may be breaking tourism records in 2025, but that hasn’t stopped new warnings from government officials.

The United States is cautioning travelers heading to Spain this summer, where over 17 million visitors arrived in just the first quarter, a 5.7% jump from last year and the busiest tourism season ever recorded in the country. But as visitor numbers soar, so do safety concerns.

Travel

This European capital was just named the world’s happiest city in 2025

Copenhagen ranks high for happiness

Copenhagen

Curious about the happiest city on Earth to explore this year? According to the sixth edition of the Happy City Index, it’s time to set your sights on Copenhagen. The Danish capital just claimed the top spot as the world’s happiest city in 2025, scoring a total of 1039 points in the index.

The Happy City Index evaluates cities globally based on categories like citizens, governance, environment, economy, health, and mobility. Cities are then placed into ‘gold,’ ‘silver,’ or ‘bronze’ categories. Copenhagen landed in the ‘gold’ tier, with standout scores in citizens, economy, and environment.

Travel

Eat like a local: 2025’s best affordable foodie destinations revealed

The best budget-friendly food cities you haven't heard of (yet)

Alassio Italy

Airbnb’s 2025 summer travel trends report is in, and it’s clear that travelers are hungry, but also smart about where they spend. This year, food-loving explorers are skipping the overpriced hotspots and heading to more affordable, authentic culinary destinations around the globe. While Amsterdam and Positano still have their charm, they’re being traded in for places where you’re less likely to get served a tourist menu and more likely to discover the heart of a local food scene.

Leading the list is Alassio, Italy, a gorgeous coastal town that offers the beauty of Positano without the inflated price tags. Here, fresh-caught seafood, wild herbs, and the region’s famous Riviera Ligure DOP olive oil take center stage.