National Geographic has released a list of beaches that are better in the fall and stretch from the East Coast to the shores of Hawaii.
According to the outlet, beaches in California, Hawaii, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Oregon are among the list of destinations that hit their peak after summer.
Each of the seven beaches named thrives with ‘fewer crowds and cooler temperatures’ and allows visitors to gain ‘memorable stories to take back home.’
Do you think you know which beaches made the list? Scroll down to find out.
Atlantic Beach, South Carolina is one of the beaches named in the list by National Geographic
The first on the list of beaches is Cape May, located on the tip of New Jersey.
Unlike many other Jersey Shore towns, Cape May doesn’t shut down in the fall, making it the perfect destination for anyone looking to enjoy the sand and sun.
‘Come fall, visitors have plenty of elbow room to walk or bike along the promenade, explore the two miles of glittering shoreline, and stop for a sticky bun at the family-owned Madison’s Bakery or a double IPA from Cape May Brewery,’ Nat Geo noted.
The town also has 600 Victorian-era homes and the iconic 164 year old Cape May Lighthouse which gives visitors a bird’s eye view of the town.
Just behind the New Jersey beach is Haleʻiwa on Hawaii’s island of Oʻahu with its access to natural springs and native foods that date back to the 12th century.
‘Queen Liliʻuokalani, the last sovereign monarch of the Hawaiian Kingdom, vacationed here during the summer,’ Nat Geo wrote.
Ke Huy Quan and Corey Feldman in 1985’s ‘The Goonies’ at Cannon Beach
Cape May, New Jersey’s iconic lighthouse, which gives a bird’s eye view of the area
A still from ‘The Goonies’ showing stars Kerri Green and Josh Brolin at Cannon Beach
The beach attracts hordes of visitors during the winter months when waves are high from storms, making the fall the best time to avoid the crowds.
In third place is Revere Beach, located five miles north of Boston and established in 1895 – making it the oldest public beach in the United States.
Dubbed the ‘Coney Island of the East,’ the beach offers dance halls, movie theaters, restaurants, carousels, and more.
The fourth beach on the list is arguably one of the most famous on the list, for its appearance in the iconic films ‘The Goonies’ and ‘Kindergarten Cop.’
Cannon Beach, Oregon – located 80 miles west of Portland – earned itself a spot on the list for its incredible history and unique Native American features.
The area was even explored in 1806 by William Clark and Sacagawea which resulted in a 10-foot cedar sculpture called the ‘Welcome Pole’ by artist Guy Capoeman.
Most notably, however, the beach is identified by Haystack Rock, a 235-foot basalt sea stack on the shoreline.
Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock from Ecola State Park, Cannon Beach, Oregon
Haleʻiwa on Hawaii’s island of Oʻahu earned the third spot on the list
Revere Beach, Massachusetts earned the number three spot on the list
At number five is California’s Laguna Beach, which is actually a combination of about 30 beaches in the area.
The most packed area, Main Beach, once saw Michael Jordan play at the basketball courts while Thousand Steps Beach is known for being more secluded.
‘Fall is the best time to visit—the crowds have thinned, the water is warm, and the weather is nice enough to eat at one of the many alfresco restaurants,’ Nat Geo wrote.
The publication also recommends doing the 2.4 mile Top of the World hike which includes views of Catalina Island and Mount Baldy.
Number six, Atlantic Beach is a black-owned beach in South Carolina that has been a quiet and quaint vacation spot for more than three decades.
Busier in the summer months with overflow from Myrtle Beach, the fall months are perfect for any beachgoer who wants to soak up history without the headache of heavily-packed areas.
Laguna Beach, California came in at number five on National Geographic’s list
In last place is St. Augustine Beach, Florida, which was first discovered Spanish explorer Don Pedro Menéndez de Avilés before Jamestown and Plymouth Rock
In last place is St. Augustine Beach, Florida, which was first discovered Spanish explorer Don Pedro Menéndez de Avilés before Jamestown and Plymouth Rock.
‘Stroll the redbrick streets lined with centuries-old buildings, or hop on an Old Town Trolley tour,’ National Geographic notes.
The city also is known for the González-Alvarez House, the oldest surviving Spanish colonial dwelling in the city, and it’s pink sands made from crushed coquina.
Fall months offer a less humid atmosphere with pleasant beach and city walks and plenty to do including horseback riding and shark teeth searching.
