For one glorious season each year, America’s beaches come into full bloom. To help you pick a great destination for a bit of summery respite – and to enlighten you to the country’s great diversity of sun and sand – Sherman’s Travel spoke to experts around the country, polled readers and staffers, and got the most in-the-know correspondents to divulge their favorite U.S. beaches. Then, we narrowed the selection down to specially themed categories consisting of several beaches each (it wasn’t easy!). Just for fun, we’ve thrown in our favorite beach movies, songs, bars, and restaurants, too.

Whether you lean towards the solitude of shells and seagulls, are scouting out an ideal honeymoon locale, or are more of a see-and-be-seen beachgoer, we've got you covered. All you have to do is click on your preferences to the right – and lather on the sunscreen.