Best 20 Ocean Golf Courses in the United States

Located in the central part of the San Diego County shoreline, Torrey Pines State Beach - South Beach is situated on the southern part of a state park known as Torrey Pines State Beach. The beach has light brown sand and is situated below a steep and unstable bluff. The beach is located south of the creek flowing into the ocean from the adjacent Los Peñasquitos Marsh Natural Reserve. The beach terrain is pebbly and portions of the beach near the bluff side have been fixed with rocky embankments to prevent erosion. The state park gets its name from a rare local variety of pine trees, the Torrey pine, which grows in the state park area near the beach. 

Located in the Makena Beach State Park, Big Beach stretches over half a mile and is relatively wide compared to surrounding spots, offering plenty of space for everyone. This beach is located in between two black-lava outcroppings which protects it from the winds and offers a stunning view of the small islands Kahoolawe and Molokini. With amenities such as bathrooms, picnic tables, barbecue grills, and food concessions available, Big Beach is the perfect destination for those who want to comfortably enjoy Maui’s amazing nature scene.

The waves at this beach are very large, and they attract lots of boogie boarders and surfers. That being said, be very careful when swimming here, as there are sometimes riptide occurrences that can be dangerous for young children. If in doubt, there are plenty of lifeguard stations on the beach that can inform you of the water conditions. Fishing is another popular activity at this beach, with plenty of spots available along the shore. For adults, you can also access Little Beach from this location, which is a small isolated cove that is a well-known nude beach site.

If you get hungry, Jazzy’s Kitchen is a Mexican food truck that is very popular among locals for their signature fish tacos and quesadillas. It is parked right next to the beach most weekdays and is available for lunch and dinner. We also like Monkeypod Kitchen, a farm-to-table eatery with fresh Hawaiian cuisine and a large list of cocktails and craft beers. You can also take a 9-minute drive to Ko Restaurant, a white-tablecloth seafood eatery run by renowned Chef Tylun Pang.

If you need a place to stay, take an 11-minute drive to Residence Inn by Marriott, a 3-Star all-suite hotel that provides a family-friendly environment and offers amenities such as an outdoor pool and complimentary breakfast. Another excellent option is Grand Wailea Maui, a Waldorf Astoria resort that spans 40 acres along Wailea Beach and sports 9 outdoor pools and a 2000 feet long river with waterslides. You can also take a 9-minute drive to Fairmont Kea Lani, a 5-Star resort located next to the Wailea Golf Club with upscale dining options and a 24/7 fitness facility.

Located on the southern coastline of the city of Rancho Palos Verde, Terranea Cove Beach, also called Long Point Beach, is a beach that lies near the eastern end of the Terranea Resort. The northern portion of the beach is sandy, while the terrain near the shoreline is rough and full of rocks and pebbles. The eastern part of the beach has a sea cave that can be explored at low tide. 

Located in Santa Barbara, East Beach is a four mile long beach with light brown sand. This beach is situated towards the east end of a wharf named the Stearns Wharf. Multiple grassy recreational parks are present near this popular beach. In addition, this beach also has a fantastic backdrop of oceanfront palm trees. The Mission Creek flows through the beach into the Pacific Ocean.  East Beach has been named one of the Top 100 beaches in the United States by Randall Kaplan, the world’s foremost beach expert who is known as Mr. Beach. The eastern end of East Beach is wider than its other parts. 

Located on the southern end of Kiawah Island, Kiawah Beachwalker Park - also known simply as Beachwalker Park - is a Charleston County-managed park that has a large beach with soft white-sand. Many kinds of plants are present near the beach in Kiawah Beachwalker Park including yucca plants, pines, live oaks, and palmettos. Kiawah Beachwalker Park is the only park with a public-owned beach access on Kiawah Island. Kiawah Beachwalker Park has been named the 46th Best Beach in the Top 50 Beaches in the United States list in 2022 by Randall Kaplan, the world’s foremost beach expert who is known as "Mr. Beach" – and was also named one of the 10 Best Beaches in the U.S in 2017 by Condé Nast Traveler magazine. 

Located in the city of Destin, Destin Beach is a beach with white sand.

Located in the city of Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach State Park is a 312-acre state park that has a wide white sand beach which is approximately a mile long. A maritime forest and sand dunes are present near the beach. The beach also has a pier named Myrtle Beach State Park Pier. A creek also flows through the beach into the Atlantic Ocean. Myrtle Beach State Park was the first South Carolina State Park, and has been named the 14th Best Beach in the Top 50 Beaches in the United States list in 2022 by Randall Kaplan, the world’s foremost beach expert who is known as "Mr. Beach." Myrtle Beach State Park has lifeguards in its northern portion between mid-May and mid-September.  

Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach Oceanfront - also known as Oceanfront Beach - is a large and extremely popular beach area that has light brown sand. Virginia Beach Oceanfront has a marvelous background of waterfront high-rise buildings. An approximately three-mile long boardwalk named Virginia Beach Boardwalk is present near the beach - this boardwalk was listed by CNN as one of the 19 best boardwalks in the United States. Additionally, Virginia Beach was named the 48th Best Beach in the Top 50 Beaches in the United States list in 2022 by Randall Kaplan, the world's foremost beach expert who is known as "Mr. Beach.” A rocky jetty is also present near the southern end of the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, along with an aquatic inlet named Ruddy Inlet. 

Located in the central part of the Half Moon Bay waterfront, Half Moon Bay State Beach - Venice Beach is part of a state park known as Half Moon Bay State Beach in San Mateo County. The beach, featuring sandy beaches, is situated below a blufftop state park area and is a favorite access point for beachgoers looking to visit longer. Half Moon Bay State Beach - Venice Beach is narrow and has light brown sand. Two creeks –Pilarcitos Creek and Frenchman’s Creek – flow and meet the ocean near the beach, and these creeks sometimes form a lagoon at Half Moon Bay State Beach - Venice Beach. Although the beach does not have lifeguards, it does have showers, restrooms, picnic areas, and walking and biking paths. These amenities make it an ideal spot for a family outing. Getting to Half Moon Bay State Beach - Venice Beach is accessible - it's located near 400 Venice Boulevard. There is a paid parking lot on the blufftop area near the beach, and from there, you can take the access trail leading down the bluffside to Half Moon Bay State Beach - Venice Beach.

Stretching along the western coast of Huntington Beach, Huntington State Beach is one of the most popular and iconic surf beaches in the world. Home to the Surfer’s Hall of Fame, Huntington State Beach spans 121 acres and draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. It’s a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, offering a unique coastal experience in Orange County.