All year-round, Americans flock to the all-inclusive resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean. Destinations like Cancun, Riviera Maya, Los Cabos, Riviera Nayarit, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Aruba, and their neighbors are perennial go-tos for going away, whether it’s during the dead of winter or the height of summer for warm, sunny days and warm, embracing waters.

However, during the latter season, a wealth of options opens up in the United States. Bookings for domestic travel open up with the convenience of passport-free travel, potential drivability, and the freedom to explore some of the country’s best regional cuisine or nationally acclaimed restaurants.

According to a recent study by travel expert Journey Era, analyzing frequency of hashtag use across the country via Instagram, 10 consistently stood out among the U.S.’s top picks, the lead clocking in 8.79+ million hashtags equating 2,512.8 hashtags per meter of its sandy shores.

Here’s where the U.S.’s beaches stack up … and where vacationers are asking their travel advisor to book this Travel Advisor Appreciation Month, knowing that Travel Advisors Get You There.

10. Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina

You may not have heard of this particular beach by name, but you might know its region: Outer Banks, NC. It’s part of a charming coastal community and located just outside of Wilmington. Fly into that city with a United Vacations package or rent a car from any of the ALG Vacations® brands for a fun road trip with the family.  

9. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

The hub of Grand Strand, a 60-mile string of beaches, this family favorite has boardwalks and beachfront shops to spark all kinds of American nostalgia. Add the old-fashioned Family Kingdom amusement park and one of the country’s tallest Ferris wheels and you have the beginnings of those lifelong memories we at ALGV are always talking about. Book a package with Southwest Vacations, beloved for those traveling with kids!

8. Laguna Beach, California

Anyone of a certain generation knows the name of this beach, thanks to an old MTV show from the peak of the reality TV era. Live out those Millennial dreams in the O.C. (another show from those days!) and see in real life the coves, beaches, boardwalk, underwater park, coastal canyons, and of course, surf spots of southern California. Funjet Vacations can get you there.

7. Waikiki Beach, Hawaii

Waikiki Beach never goes out of style! Located in Honolulu, the state’s capital on the busiest Hawaiian island, Oahu, this is a dream destination that’s never been more accessible than of late. Plus, you can bundle a Worldstar airport transfer for a smooth change of scene. Speaking of … Blue Sky Tours specializes in multi-stop vacations to Hawaii, and their experience helps travel advisors who book with them make the most of the long-haul flight to the Pacific Ocean. Kauai is a fantastic jungle to jump to for a taste of old, wild Hawaii, and the Big Island is a must, even for a day trip, to experience the lava fields. Much of Maui remains unimpacted by last year’s fires in Lahaina and needs our touristic support more than ever, so you can be part of rebuilding just by adding a stop in to there. And if you ask your travel advisor to book with Blue Sky Tours or Travel Impressions, you can do it all in luxury.

6. Clearwater Beach, Florida

This destination is consistently named one of America’s best beaches, but here’s a fun, little-known fact: that powdery white sand people love on this shoreline isn’t actually natural or native to the area! It comes from the Appalachian Mountains and is made of quartz, not ground shells – that’s what gives it that soft texture. However, its name is independently earned. Its warm-year-round Gulf waters are impossibly clear and clean. Get there by flying into Tampa or Clearwater airports, and rent a car for ultimate flexibility. You can do all of that with Apple Vacations, which offers nearly 250 hotel options in the area.

5. Newport Beach, California

Another throwback to the teen soap “The O.C.,” this is where all of the fictional drama took place. However, we recommend you skip all that and live life without the theatrics with a mellow vacation in the heart of SoCal. It’s known for its large, boat-filled harbor, and docks are always fun to “window-shop.” The Newport Beach Pier and Balboa Pier – where the retro amusement park Balboa Fun Zone is located – are the two to keep in mind when asking your travel advisor where you should stay.

4. Huntington Beach, California

Staying in California, this beach south of L.A. is another one known for its extra-long pier and surf beaches. In fact, surf culture is so important here that it’s the home of the International Surfing Museum! But there’s more to see than just shorelines and waves here. It’s worthwhile to see if your travel advisor can get you there to the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve’s wetlands and dunes for some quality bird-watching.

3. Venice Beach, California

Apple Vacations, Funjet Vacations, and Travel Impressions are known for their expertise in Mexico and Caribbean resort getaways, but the selection of U.S. city hotels are nothing to be sniffed at. You’ll want stay in Los Angeles to experience this quintessential LA beach and its famous boardwalk. Strap on roller blades or rent a skateboard to fit in with locals. Your travel advisor can set you up with tours of everything else the city has to offer.

2. Miami Beach, Florida

Make yourself MIA from the digital world and disconnect to enjoy the vitality of MIA IRL. After all, you’ll be physically disconnected from the city here on the other side of the bridge. Plus, there were no emails back in the days of Art Deco! Time travel via Ocean Drive as you ignore all your notifications. Southwest Vacations offers an affordable way to get there, and Apple Vacations has a wide range of hotels in every budget in the area.

1. South Beach, Florida

Experience the most posh side of Miami in the most popular beach destination in the country with United Vacations or Travel Impressions. This shorefront in the Miami Beach neighborhood is what everyone thinks of when they imagine this destination, and staying here puts you within walking distance of the most gorgeous beach in a state rife with them, and the liveliest nightlife you’ll find almost anywhere. Be sure to ask your advisor about available car rentals – there are lots of luxury vehicles available in the city due to high demand, so make the most of it!

Looking for other domestic travel beach gems? Check out our picks for the most LGBTQ+-friendly beaches in the country as we get ready for Pride Month in June. Or set your sights farther and explore the most queer-friendly beaches in the world! As for all of the above, don’t forget that Travel Advisors Get You There … especially with special offers available during Travel Advisor Appreciation Month!