Best Volleyball Beaches in the United States

Located in the city of Hollywood, Hollywood Beach is a large beach with white sand. This beach is situated in a neighborhood which is also called Hollywood Beach. High-rise oceanfront buildings and tropical vegetation are also present near this beach. A grassy recreational park named Hollywood North Beach Park is present in the beach’s northern part. In addition, a two-and-a-half miles long promenade named Hollywood Beach Boardwalk is also present near the beach. The beach’s hip yet pleasant atmosphere has been praised by New Times Broward-Palm Beach which has labeled it as one of the best beaches in Broward County. In addition, the beach’s family-friendly nature has also been praised by the Fodor’s Travel Guide. 

Situated on Florida’s Space Coast an hour east of Orlando, Cocoa Beach is a tropical beach paradise that feels remote despite being accessible from the big city.

With lush trees and greenery, scenic walkways that lead to the beach’s thick white sand, and crystal clear water, Cocoa Beach is the quintessential Florida beach paradise. Getting there is a breeze, as the beach offers plentiful street parking. And once you arrive, you’ll find its amenities to be plentiful. Looking for a more restful beach day? Lounge on Cocoa Beach in comfort with chairs and picnic tables, and seek refuge from the sun with umbrellas. Prefer a day of adventure? Paddle-board, surf, snorkel, or swim in its crystal clear water. Hike through the beach’s nearby nature preserves, and explore stunning exotic wildlife and plants. Or grab your fishing rod and bait, and try to catch one of the Florida Space Coast’s many exotic fish.

Looking for a change of pace? For some top-notch fine dining and shopping, head to Cocoa Village, a revitalized riverside community with restaurants, galleries, local shops, and artist studios. Craving some authentic Southern Barbeque? Visit Cryderman’s Barbecue, a local favorite known for its mouthwatering brisket and excellent pork ribs. For some top-notch Thai grub, head to Thai Thai Cocoa Village, a local spot offering authentic Thai and Japanese cuisine with locally sourced beers and wines. Craving boba? Stop by Mima’s Cafe & Tea Bar and grab a refreshing milk tea or iced coffee. And for a day of learning and enrichment. visit the nearby Kennedy Space Center, where beachgoers can tour launch-pads, meet veteran astronauts, see giant rockets, interact with space simulators, and even view a rocket launch.

For beachgoers spending the night by Cocoa Beach, there are a number of excellent local hotels. At the Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront, experience top-tier service, luxurious and spacious rooms, and an incredible beachside location. Prefer a hotel offering unbeatable value? Check-in at the Best Western Cocoa Beach Hotel & Suites, an affordable hotel with spacious oceanfront suites.

We’ve all heard of Miami’s South Beach. Featured heavily in iconic films such as Scarface, Miami Vice, Baywatch, Goldfinger, and Ride Along, it’s one of the world’s most famed and instantly recognizable beaches. With its iconic Ocean Drive, renowned restaurants, luxury shopping, opulent hotels and resorts, and bustling nightclubs, South Beach is possibly the world’s most popular beach destination. Additionally, Miami Beach – South was named theBest 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.”

When you arrive at South Beach, you’ll immediately notice the beach’s incredible views. From the sand, beachgoers marvel at Miami Beach’s skyline. With its art-deco architecture, dramatic modern high-rises, and sky-scraping palm trees, the skyline is arguably South Florida’s most iconic sight.

Once you walk onto South Beach’s glistening golden sand, you’ll see that South Beach is more than just a tourist destination. It’s a naturally stunning beach in its own right. With vibrant turquoise water and glistening golden, it’s the perfect place to lounge and enjoy nature while just steps from the big city. While you’re there, be sure to catch South Beach’s vibrant sunsets, which peak at around 7 pm.

Santa Monica Beach, located in the city of Santa Monica, is a highly popular 3.5-mile-long beach with light brown sand. This beach, also known as Santa Monica State Beach, is divided into three main sections: Santa Monica Beach - North Beach (which is also known as Santa Monica - North Beach and Santa Monica North Beach), Santa Monica Beach - Pier Beach (which is also called Santa Monica - Pier Beach and Santa Monica Pier Beach), and Santa Monica Beach - South Beach ( which is also called Santa Monica – South Beach, Santa Monica South Beach, and Ocean Park Beach). 

Santa Monica Beach—North Beach is quieter, offering a more peaceful experience, while Pier Beach is at the center and features the iconic Santa Monica Pier. Santa Monica Beach - South Beach, also referred to as Ocean Park Beach, is situated to the south of the pier.

Santa Monica Pier, stretching 1,650 feet, is a well-known landmark and draws millions of visitors annually. It is an iconic pier that was initially opened in 1909 and has been designated as a Santa Monica Historic Landmark - this pier offers a large variety of things to do including a popular amusement park named Pacific Park that has the world’s only solar-powered Ferris wheel, fun rides for kids (including a 1920s carousel), an arcade, an aquarium at the end of the pier named Heal The Bay Aquarium, and interesting concessions and shops. If you are planning to fish from the Santa Monica Pier or from any part of Santa Monica State Beach, please follow the local fishing regulations that can be found on the website of California Department of Fish and Wildlife. 

Santa Monica Beach is also frequented by snorkelers and scuba divers, and visitors may spot wildlife such as seals, sea lions, and migrating whales at certain times of the year. If you’re into biking or skating, the Ocean Front Walk (also called the Santa Monica Boardwalk) offers a scenic path with oceanfront views and passes by various restaurants and shops. The North Beach Trail section includes unique artwork inspired by local plant and animal life. A portion of another famous biking trail named the Marvin Braude Bike Trail (also known as The Strand) is also located along Santa Monica State Beach - this popular 22-mile oceanfront biking, jogging, and roller-skating trail mostly runs parallel to the coastline of the Santa Monica Bay.

Located in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale Beach is a large beach with white sand and palm trees and is next to a beautiful background of oceanfront high-rise buildings. Fort Lauderdale Beach sees fewer visitors than other more popular Florida beaches and this makes the beach have a calm atmosphere. A recreational park named Fort Lauderdale Beach Park is also present near this beach. As an interesting fact, the 1960 movie Where The Boys Are was filmed around Fort Lauderdale Beach. 

Fort Lauderdale Beach has been named the 35th 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.”

Located along Florida’s central coastline, Clearwater Beach is an immensely popular beach that has soft white sand. This wide beach is situated in Pinellas County and spans over two-and-a-half miles. Clearwater Beach’s reputation as one of the United States’ premier beach destinations is not simply a tall claim - the beach has received many accolades from travel websites and media publications. The beach has been named the 5th 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 featured by Tripadvisor’s Travellers Choice awards in 2016, 2018, and 2019. USA Today also listed Clearwater Beach as the "best beach town in Florida" in 2013. A 1,000 feet-long concrete pier named Pier 60 is also present in Clearwater Beach

Tucked between Los Angeles’ Venice Beach and El Segundo’s Dockweiler Beach, Playa Del Rey Beach is a favorite of Los Angeles locals. Quaint and picturesque, Playa del Rey is the perfect spot for a restful day at the beach.

Only 30 minutes from the hustle and bustle of Downtown Los Angeles, Playa del Rey feels worlds away. With its undeveloped beachfront and quaint small-town setting, Playa del Rey is incredibly quiet. Although small, the beach itself is one of LA’s best. Its sand is white, soft, thick, and free of the trash that comes with large crowds. The water is turquoise and crystal clear, making the beach perfect for swimming, fishing, paddle-boarding, snorkeling, surfing, and sailing. From its scenic walking paths and picnic tables, beachgoers have views of lush sea-grape trees, the ocean, and the Los Angeles skyline.

Considered Manhattan Beach’s more youthful and rowdy counterparty, Hermosa Beach is one of South Bay’s most popular beaches. At Hermosa, experience the quintessential small-town beach experience with a lively twist. Situated near the Los Angeles International Airport, Hermosa Beach offers LA beachgoers a much-needed escape from the hustle and bustle of the big city. Only 40 minutes from the hustle and bustle of Downtown Los Angeles, Hermosa Beach feels worlds away. Although it has less street parking than nearby Manhattan Beach, it’s still far more accessible than many LA beaches even during the summer. Beachgoers flock to Hermosa for its stunning beachfront, which is the spitting image of the perfect LA beach. With its clear and vibrant turquoise water, clean white sand, quaint walking and biking paths, and panoramic views from the bluffs of Palos Verdes to Malibu, Hermosa visitors hitch an umbrella and lounge in paradise.

Located in Honolulu, Waikiki Beach is a beautiful and extremely popular beach  with light brown sand and nearby palm trees. This beach is located in the popular touristy neighborhood of Waikiki. The beach’s name in Hawaiian means "spouting water" - the beach received this name because in the past multiple springs and rivers used to flow around this beach – as another fun fact Waikiki Beach was used by Hawaiian nobility for surfing. Waikiki Beach is one of the most famous beaches in the United State and was named the 4th 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.” It is important to note that Waikiki Beach is a part of a larger beach area that stetches for almost two miles that is also called Waikiki Beach – in addition to Waikiki Beach, this larger beach area is composed of seven other beaches including Duke Kahanamoku Beach (also called Kahanamoku Beach and Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Beach Park), Fort DeRussy Beach (also known asFort DeRussy Beach Park, Gray’s Beach (also known as Grays Beach, Halekulani Beach, Kawehewehe, and Grey’s Beach), Royal Hawaiian Beach (also known as Waikiki Beach Center and Royal Moana Beach), Kuhio Beach (also known as "The Ponds", Kuhio Ponds, and Kūhiō Beach), Queen’s Beach (also known as Queen Kapiolani Beach , Queen’s Surf Beach, and Kapiolani Beach Park), and Kaimana Beach (also known as also known as Kaimana Beach Park, Kaimana’s Beach, Waikiki at San Souci Beach, Sans Souci Beach, and San Souci Beach).

Waikiki Beach is constantly threatened by erosion – some of Waikiki Beach’s parts have been significantly reduced in size due to erosion. There are multiple rocky jetties and seawalls near Waikiki Beach – the beach’s southwestern portion particularly has many rocky seawalls near it. Although most of the portions of Waikiki Beach have lifeguards, there are some portions that do not have lifeguard deployment – these portions are located near 2055 Kalia Road, in front a hotel named the Halekulani Hotel, and adjacent to another hotel named Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort.  In addition to lifeguards,

Located near the Floridian city of St. Petersburg, St. Pete Beach - also known as County Park Beach - is a large beach with soft white sand in Pinellas County. This beach is situated within a coastal city (also named St. Pete Beach) on a barrier island. St. Pete Beach was named as the best beach in the United States and the fifth best beach in the world by TripAdvisor’s Travellers Choice awards in 2021 and was also named one of the 25 Best Beaches in the United States by Randall Kaplan, the world’s foremost beach expert who is known as Mr Beach. In addition, the city of St. Pete Beach was also listed as one of the country’s top 10 beach towns by Parents magazine in 2013. 

Located in Honolulu’s Waikiki neighborhood, Fort DeRussy Beach is a wide 1,800-foot-long beach with light brown sand. This beach is a part of a waterfront recreational park named Fort DeRussy Beach Park and is also considered a part of a larger and very popular beach named Waikiki Beach. Fort DeRussy Beach comprises a quarter of Waikiki Beach, and the sand in the south-eastern part of the beach is finer than the sand in its other parts.  

Fort DeRussy Beach Park has also been awarded the Fodor’s Choice award by the Fodor’s travel guide, and the park is usually open to the public between 5 am and 10 pm.

Located in the neighborhood of Waikiki, Kaimana Beach – also known as Kaimana Beach Park, Kaimana’s Beach, Sans Souci Beach, and San Souci Beach – is a wide beach with light brown sand, nearby palm trees and Hau trees, nearby rocky reefs, and a nearby rocky breakwater.  The beach area is located adjacent to a war memorial named Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium.  Kaimana Beach is a part of a much larger beach named Waikiki Beach. 

Located along the County of Los Angeles shoreline, Manhattan Beach – also known as Manhattan County Beach – is a two-mile-long and wide beach with light brown sand, a pier named the Manhattan Beach Pier, nearby shrubs and palm trees, and a nearby reef.  This beach is located within a city that is also called Manhattan Beach.   This beach is also part of a region within the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area that is called South Bay.  

This beach has been listed as one of the best beaches in California by many publications, including Reader’s Digest and Travel+Leisure magazine, and is a favorite of Randall Kaplan, the world’s foremost beach expert who is known as Mr. Beach.

Located south of the Mission Bay channel entrance you’ll find Ocean Beach, a small town with a laid-back atmosphere that is home to the lively main Ocean Beach. Visitors have access to many amenities including lifeguards, public restrooms, outdoor showers, and free public parking lots located throughout the city of Ocean Beach. You can also find free street parking along Newport Avenue as well as in surrounding residential neighborhoods.

This one-mile stretch of golden sand provides plenty of space for all beach activities including walking, running, and playing spike ball. On the north end of Ocean Beach, you’ll find sand volleyball courts that are always popular with athletes. The ocean at this beach is divided into two zones - surfing and swimming so be sure to stay in the designated areas. If you’re looking for a break from the sand, check out Ocean Beach Municipal Pier located at the south end of the beach. This pier is one of the longest in Southern California and is one of the few places you can fish without a valid California fishing license. If you want to hang with the locals, the Ocean Beach Farmer’s Market takes place every Wednesday from 4 PM-8 PM in downtown Ocean Beach and offers handcrafted goods, fresh food, and live music.

If you get hungry, you’ll find many options just a short walk from the beach in downtown Ocean Beach. We like Ocean Beach Pier Café, a small restaurant that’s located at the end of the pier and provides fresh seafood and gorgeous ocean views. Another local favorite is Hodad’s, one of San Diego’s most celebrated burger joints – this small restaurant was visited by Guy Fieri on his show Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives in 2007 and 2013. We also recommend Mike’s Taco Club, a small taco shop that is always crowded with beachgoers because of its phenomenal Mexican food.

If you’re looking for a place to stay, check out Ocean Beach Hotel located directly on the beach that's within walking distance of many restaurants, surf shops, and other commercial establishments. You can also take a 6-minute drive to The Inn and Sunset Cliffs, a waterfront hotel with a relaxing atmosphere, a swimming pool, and the largest deck on the entire United States western coastline. Further north you’ll find The Dana on Mission Bay, a large waterfront resort with two outdoor pools, two luxury spas, and on-site water sport and bicycle rentals.