Summer is almost here, and for much of America, that means one thing: heading to a beach.

But with so many of them available—ranging from isolated, unspoiled nature to crowded party venues—how can you choose where to spend those precious summer vacation days?

Fortunately, Dr. Beach—aka Stephen Leatherman, who has been reviewing beaches for three decades—has put out his annual ranking of America’s Best Beaches to help you decide.

Hawaii‘s Poipu Beach, on the island of Kauai, tops Dr. Beach’s rankings for 2026. Still, it’s not the most expensive beach on the list, with homes there listing at a median price of $1.4 million in April, according to Realtor.com® data.

The costliest beach in the new rankings is ranked No. 7: Beachwalker Park on Kiawah Island, SC, an area with a staggering median list price of $2.96 million.

No list of the best beaches would be complete without the Hamptons, where homes near No. 5-ranked Main Beach in East Hampton, NY, typically list for $2.8 million.

If you’re on the hunt for a more affordable beach house, then the Sunshine State is the place. So long as you avoid billionaire enclaves like Indian Creek or Manalapan, there are deals to be had.

In Panama City, with a median list price of $459,450 near the No. 2-ranked beach at St. Andrews State Park, you have the best chance of snapping up your own beach abode without busting the bank.

“The top beaches in the U.S. range from relatively affordable spots in the South to pricey destinations in Hawaii and the Northeast,” explains Realtor.com senior economist Hannah Jones.

“Florida beach towns benefit from ample inventory and lower prices, while buyers in the Northeast and Hawaii should expect to pay a significant premium. For buyers who want a top-ranked beach without the premium price tag, Florida is the obvious starting point.”

Considerations before buying a beach home

While beaches can be dreamy, there are some pitfalls you should be aware of.

“Beach properties come with a different set of considerations than inland homes,” Brittany Skotak of Douglas Elliman Naples tells Realtor.com. “Insurance, flood risk, building reserves, storm preparedness, deferred maintenance, and carrying costs. Buyers that are not accustomed to these expenses can have sticker shock.”

At the most unfortunate end, your beach frontage might erode to the point where your abode is practically worthless or even puts you in danger.

However, the risk may be worth it. Beach homes can appreciate higher and faster than inland properties. Realtor.com data shows that homes on the ocean are priced roughly 29% higher than landlocked homes in the same area.

After all, if they’re not making any more land, they are most definitely not making any more shoreline. Inventory is usually constrained.

In Eastham on Cape Cod, for instance, there are 899 properties for sale in the metro area, but a mere 23 in the area immediately surrounding the beach.

But there are ways to get around the price and competition: Skotak recommends going farther inland.

“Some buyers start their search thinking they need to be directly on the beach and then realize being five minutes away gives them more options and often a lot more value,” she says.

Provided you choose wisely and do your due diligence, owning a beach home can be not only fun and fabulous, but also a sound financial decision. Here are Dr. Beach’s top 10 beaches for 2026:

1. Poipu Beach, Kauai, HI

Median list price: $1.37 million

Properties for sale in the immediate ZIP code: 354

Poipu Beach on one of Hawaii’s most stunning islands, Kauai, is actually two beaches, explains Dr. Beach.

“A tombolo, which is a narrow sand spit that extends from the shore to an island, separates the two pocket beaches,” he writes.

This leaves a shallow bar area where small children can play, as well as larger waves for the more adventurous.

With the fourth-highest median list price, the area around the beach is pricey and inventory is constrained. However, many would find living near that palm tree–fringed paradise well worth the outlay.

2. St. Andrews State Park, Panama City, FL

Median list price: $459,450

Properties for sale in the immediate ZIP code: 1,564

Despite having the lowest median price tag on the list, as well as decent inventory, this beach still comes out tops, even beating out three Hawaiian beaches.

Dr. Beach gives the spot props for being a “strikingly white sandy beach great for shelling and bird watching.”

3. Caladesi Island State Park, Dunedin, Clearwater, FL

Median list price: $895,050

Properties for sale in the immediate ZIP code: 329

Caladesi Island State Park, a protected nature preserve and barrier island 7 miles north of Clearwater, keeps the tourist crowd at bay by being accessible only by boat or ferry.

With pristine white sand and emerald waters, the beach also boasts canoe, paddleboat, and kayak trails, mangrove forests, and plenty of heron watching.

4. Wailea Beach, Maui, HI

Median list price: $999,000

Properties for sale in the immediate ZIP code: 1,442

Located along the southwestern tip of one of Hawaii’s most stunning islands, Maui, the golden shores of the crescent-shaped Wailea Beach also offer ritzy hotels such as the Four Seasons Resort, the Waldorf Astoria, and the Grand Wailea.

Hawaiian beaches can sometimes be beautiful but rough, with dangerous riptides. Wailea Beach is known for its tranquil, more swimmable waters.

5. Main Beach, East Hampton, NY

Median list price: $2,795,000

Properties for sale in the immediate ZIP code: 213

The Hamptons have plenty of ritzy, famous beaches to choose from, but Adam Hofer of Douglas Elliman isn’t at all surprised that Main Beach beat them all out.

“Main Beach is the spirit of East Hampton,” he tells Realtor.com. “Even though East Hampton Village is known for its incredible selection of designer stores and high-end restaurants, Main Beach still feels like a true retreat from the noise of town.”

He is currently repping a gorgeous 5,800-square-foot, six‑bedroom, six‑bath mansion in East Village Hampton South. If you want to experience Main Beach first-hand and have at least $100,000 to drop for a monthlong lease, this may be for you. (It’s also close to Georgica Pond, near where celebrities such as JAY Z and Beyoncé and Steven Spielberg have their mansions.)

He, like Dr. Beach, advises visitors to use a bike to get around town, and suggests grabbing breakfast at the historic Beach Hut on Main. He recommends the lobster rolls and smoothies, or having a drink while you catch the sunset.

6. Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, Naples, FL

Median list price: $699,973

Properties for sale in the immediate ZIP code: 5,905

With the most inventory on the list, this area around Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park is still in hot demand and commands a premium over the rest of Naples.

“Delnor-Wiggins is actually one of the beaches buyers ask about most when they’re looking in North Naples,” says Douglas Elliman’s Skotak. “It doesn’t feel as built-up and busy as some of the surrounding areas and popular beaches. 

“It’s more peaceful and relaxed, plus the sand is beautiful and there is plenty of wildlife to see.”

7. Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, SC

Median list price: $2,958,675

Properties for sale in the immediate ZIP code: 81

With the highest median price on the list and very scarce inventory, Beachwalker Park on Kiawah Island is limited to those with plenty of funds.

“Kiawah is very pricey and exclusive,” Leslie Turner of Maison Real Estate tells Realtor.com. “It’s hard to get behind the gates” of the community.

Beachwalker Park is the island’s only public-access beach, and it is also a protected nesting ground for sea turtles.

Turner suggests accessing the public beach and then using a bike to view the rest of the exclusive, private beaches.

8. Kaunaoa, Big Island, HI

Median list price: $645,250

Properties for sale in the immediate ZIP code: 1,244

With decent inventory and a reasonable price tag for Hawaii, this beach’s “clear, turquoise water and white coral sand that contrasts with the black lava rock,” according to Dr. Beach.

9. Lanikai Beach, Oahu, HI

Median list price: $1,750,000

Properties for sale in the immediate ZIP code: 85

With only 85 homes for sale in the vicinity of the beach and a whopping $1.75 million median price tag, you’ll pay dearly for what Dr. Beach calls “arguably the most beautiful beach” in all of the Hawaiian Islands.

With teal blue waters, a seemingly endless shoreline, and usually gentle waves that make swimming more relaxing than in the northern surfing beaches, Lanikai Beach is a mesmerizing jewel of a beach for the whole family.

10. Coast Guard Beach, Eastham, MA

Median list price: $877,500

Properties for sale in the immediate ZIP code: 23

Cape Cod arguably has some of the most breathtaking beaches in the country, and with this many sublime beaches to choose from, Coast Guard Beach in Eastham is the one that makes the list.

“Coast Guard Beach is one of my favorite beaches not only on Cape Cod, but in the world,” says George Sarkis, co-founder of The Sarkis Team at Douglas Elliman. “It feels so preserved and untouched in the best way possible. We love watching the surfers, and sometimes you’ll catch a few seals popping in and out of the water.”

Surrounded by the Nauset Marsh trails and the historic Coast Guard station, he says, there’s a “nostalgic” feeling to the beach. But don’t get your hopes too high for snagging your own slice of Coast Guard Beach paradise.

“Real estate opportunities near Coast Guard Beach are incredibly rare due to the protected coastline,” he says. Only 23 properties are for sale here.

“Coast Guard Beach exists in a category entirely its own,” agrees Michael McCaffrey of Douglas Elliman. “The dunes that look exactly as they did a century ago, knowing that the National Seashore protects every inch of it makes it feel even more special to me.

“This isn’t a beach that can be taken away.”

JLL and HJ Sims have arranged $252.1 million in tax-exempt and taxable bond financing for the development of The Marisol, a planned 214-unit seniors housing community in Huntington Beach. HJ Sims acted as lead book-running manager on the senior bonds and JLL Securities served as co-manager and led the process in securing the investor for the subordinate bonds.

The fixed- and floating-rate financing was structured into Series A senior bonds and subordinate Series B and C bonds and was issued through the California Public Finance Authority. The bonds were divided into three tranches: a Series A $165.7-million tranche, a Series B $74.3-million tranche and a Series C $12.1-million tranche. JLL’s Senior Housing Capital Markets team, as real estate advisor, collaborated on the project.

The Marisol is under construction and will be delivered in 2028.  Located at 2120 Main St. in Huntington Beach, the three-story building will offer residents a full amenity package. 

Former U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy‘s daughter, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, is offering up the chance to enjoy a taste of the political dynasty’s storied Cape Cod lifestyle by listing her Hyannis Port home for $1.59 million—after admitting that her own “dream” of recreating the family’s legendary summers in the seaside town failed.

Kennedy Townsend, 74, who is the daughter of late politician Robert and his wife, Ethel, purchased the property in December 2023 for $1.28 million in a bid to pass down the tradition of spending the warm months surrounded by family in the storied town.

But, she has now admitted, that dream of recapturing her own childhood joy did not work out quite the way she had been hoping—prompting her to put the property back on the market less than three years later.

“I had a dream that I would recreate the youth, the wonderful youth that I had, for my children and grandchildren, so they could come to the Cape; they could sail, they could walk on breakwater, and it would be, you know, wonderful summers,” she told The Boston Globe.

“I wanted it to be a place where you could have a number of people enjoy themselves and use the beach and be in a safe place. I had this wonderful dream. … But not all dreams work, right?”

On paper, the home was perfectly placed to serve as an extension of the Kennedy family’s longtime Hyannis Port compound, which is located just a seven-minute drive away from the five-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom abode.

Yet the property is a far cry from the Kennedy’s historic estate, which was purchased in 1928 by family patriarch, diplomat, and businessman Joseph P. Kennedy for his wife, Rose, and their nine children, including President John F. Kennedy and Sen. Robert F. Kennedy.

While the family’s compound sits on an enormous parcel next to the ocean, Kennedy Townsend’s home is set back from the beach—although the listing notes that it comes with deeded private access to a nearby beach, which is just a few minutes’ walk away.

In keeping with Kennedy Townend’s vision for turning the home into a hub for family, friends, and loved ones, the house has been outfitted with several sleeping areas, including a basement room that is home to multiple beds, as well as a seating area.

Bunk beds are also found in a room upstairs, adding yet more space for guests to lay their heads.

“Featuring five bedrooms and five baths, the home provides generous space and a flexible layout suited for both year-round living and seasonal enjoyment,” the listing, which is held by Kathy O’Neil of Sotheby’s International Realty, notes.

A large open plan kitchen comes complete with a casual dining space, ideal for hosting large groups, while the sun-soaked living room boasts its own fireplace for cozier evenings during the winter months. A more formal dining room adds another area for large family meals.

However, it is the exterior where the property really shines.

“Located in the desirable Breakwater Shores neighborhood, this split-level residence overlooking the pond offers coastal living with peaceful water views and glimpses of the ocean beyond,” the description continues.

An enormous deck that overlooks the yard and the pond beyond looks like the perfect spot for al fresco dinners on a summer evening, or for enjoying a quiet moment with a cup of coffee while watching the sunrise.

A sizable firepit in the yard itself looks tailor made for family game nights or s’mores sessions, and is surrounded by a lush green lawn and elegant landscaping.

While some of the interiors appear to need a bit of a refresh, particularly in the kitchen, the bones of the home would make the perfect blank canvas for someone seeking a more modern retreat, with the more traditional elements in the 1966-built dwelling adding a rustic, comforting feel.

What’s more, the property has no homeowners association, meaning that those fees would not need to be factored into a buyer’s budget—despite the fact that it is, per the listing, “ideally located near shopping, wonderful restaurants, the Hyannis artist shanties, sightseeing boats, and ferries to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.”

“For a family that lives in Boston or Providence, or any place close, it’s just ideal,” Kennedy Townsend added.

Cape Cod has long been intertwined with the Kennedys, particularly after JFK used the family compound as the headquarters for his presidential campaign in summer 1960—and even more so after his wife, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, fled to the home after he was assassinated in 1963 at the age of 46.

Hyannis Port would be where Jackie crafted the image of Kennedy’s presidency as “Camelot” in the wake of his death, taking inspiration from the late politician’s favorite Broadway musical and telling the media in her first official interview after his death: “Don’t let it be forgot, that for one brief, shining moment there was Camelot.”

The home had been the site of many happy vacations for JFK and Jackie—and it went on to serve as a much-needed retreat for other family members over the years, becoming the site of an annual Fourth of July reunion for many of their descendants.

Each year, dozens of extended Kennedy family members—from RFK’s daughter Kerry and her children with ex-husband Andrew Cuomo to Maria Shriver‘s daughter Katherine Schwarzenegger and her actor husband, Chris Pratt— gather at the property to celebrate the holiday.

Get real estate news in your inbox

Sign up now

A resort-like property in Malibu’s Little Dume went into contract last week with a nearly $20 million listing price.

The home at 6889 Dume Drive, which previously sought $28.5 million in 2023, was last week’s top property to fall into contract, according to the Eklund Weekly Luxury Report Los Angeles.

The report, which is compiled by Marcy Roth of Douglas Elliman’s Eklund Gomes team, counts only homes that appear in the Multiple Listing Service for $4 million or more and does not factor in off-market properties.

Buyers and sellers in Los Angeles County went into contract on 21 properties last week, which came out to $145.5 million in asking volume, according to the Eklund Gomes report. That was four contracts up but nearly 18 percent down in asking volume from the same time a year ago.

The Point Dume home, which comes out to an asking price of $2,352 per square foot, spans 8,500 square feet with six bedrooms and eight bathrooms. It sits on an over two-acre lot and has a 70-foot pool, guesthouse, parking for as many as 20 cars and a key to the Riviera III private beach access gate.

The seller is a limited liability company managed by Charles Kotliar, who paid $4 million for the property in 2021, according to property records. Kotliar developed the home with architect Doug Burdge.

The Beverly Hills Estates’ Branden Williams and Compass’ Christopher Cortazzo hold the listing.

Last week’s next priciest home to go into contract based on asking price is at 5345 Encino Avenue in Encino. That property is listed for nearly $11 million, or $1,069 per square foot, and first hit the market in mid-December at its current asking price.

It was last purchased in 2023 for $3.2 million, or $306 per square foot, by a shell company tied to local real estate developer Tzvika Diner, according to property and state records.

Compass’ Sally Forster Jones and Douglas Elliman’s Michael Ketring hold the listing.

Built last year, the home is over 10,000 square feet with seven bedrooms and eight bathrooms. The primary suite has two balconies. There’s also a putting green and attached accessory dwelling unit with its own entrance.

Read more

Reignwood founder finds buyer for Beverly Hills manse at discounted ask

Breaking News

Los Angeles

Holmby Hills manse neighboring Kylie Jenner tops LA luxury contracts with $26M ask

Wizards’ Anthony Davis in contract to sell Bel Air manse listed for $40M

Five years after purchasing the Marina Shores shopping center at 6500 Pacific Coast Highway for $68 million, Vancouver‑based Onni Group has begun demolition of the roughly 6‑acre site.

The teardown marks the start of one of Long Beach’s most ambitious residential redevelopments, Urbanize Los Angeles reported. The project, approved by city officials and designed by Solomon Cordwell Buenz, will transform the former retail hub into Onni Marina Shores, a five‑story complex featuring 600 apartments — a mix of studios and one‑, two‑, and three‑bedroom units — above 4,000 square feet of commercial space and parking for more than 1,100 vehicles.

The development’s layout includes a central driveway connecting Marina Drive and PCH, with landscaping by Salt Landscape Architects. The site occupies a transitional zone between the Alamitos Bay Marina and nearby wetlands, serving as a gateway to southeast Long Beach.

Onni Marina Shores is the largest of three major apartment projects planned along this stretch of PCH. To its east, Holland Partner Group is building a 281‑unit complex, while Carmel Partners is advancing plans for another residential development at 6615 Pacific Coast Highway with 400 units. There’s also WPH Holdings’ 203-unit tower at 615 East Ocean Boulevard in the pipeline. 

Last year, central Long Beach had 33 major projects in development totaling about 5,000 new housing units, according to an annual report from the Downtown Long Beach Alliance. About 84 percent of residents are renters, with the biggest age bracket in the 25 to 34 range. Most units in the market are studios or one-bedrooms, with average weighted rent of $1,621.

The Marina Shores project continues Onni’s growing footprint in Long Beach, following the East Village project with 195 units in 24 stories in Downtown Long Beach. The development, which opened in 2024, sits near the A Line transit corridor. The Canadian company is run by Rossano De Cotiis.

Together, these developments signal a shift from retail to high‑density housing along the urban coastal market, reflecting Long Beach’s broader push to expand its residential base and revitalize underused commercial sites near the waterfront.

– Joel Russell

Read more

Carmel Partners eye 400 apartments place of 1970s office  in Long Beach

Holland Partner Group moves ahead with 281 apartments in Long Beach

WPH Holdings gains approval for apartment highrise in Long Beach

Newport Beach officials gave the green light to a condominium development near John Wayne International Airport. 

The Newport Beach Planning Commission approved the development of 100 market-rate condos, known as The Residences at 1500 Quail Street, the Los Angeles Times reported. The application comes from an LLC known as Quail Newport Owner, linked in city records to Lincoln Property Company. 

The Residences at 1500 Quail Street will replace an existing office building at the site and become part of the forthcoming Newport Place planned community. The development will contain 100 three- and four-bedroom condos for sale spread across 24 buildings on a 4.8-acre site. The buildings will max out at 39 feet in height with units ranging in size from 1,591 to 1,876 square feet. Each unit will come with a two-car garage. In total, the development will comprise 236,408 square feet. 

The Newport Beach Planning Commission voted unanimously in favor of the project. The city is on the hook to plan for 8,174 new units of housing by the end of 2029 – with one-third of those units being affordable housing – in order to meet state-mandated housing goals. 

One resident expressed concern at the city’s ability to meet its obligations for affordable units in particular. 

“That puts the requirement higher of how much affordable housing will have to be developed in the rest of those 8,174, quite a few of which we’ve already assigned,” the resident said, per the Times. “This is contributing to that problem, which I think will come back to bite us.”

Newport Beach planning manager Ben Zdeba pushed back on that claim, saying the city’s Community Development Department is monitoring available development sites. Department records show enough space remaining to build the amount of affordable units required by the state, according to the Times. 

“We do have an adequate buffer, even considering the possible approval before you today,” Zdeba said.— Chris Malone Méndez

Read more

Lincoln drops $70M on Manhattan Beach office for resi redev

Irvine Company gets OK for 700-unit office-to-resi plan in Newport Beach

Irvine rezones land by John Wayne despite airport commission concerns