National Geographic has one list of beaches which are better in the fall and extend from the east coast to the coast of Hawaii.
According to the outlet, beaches in California, Hawaii, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Oregon are among the list of destinations that peak in late summer.
Each of the seven beaches mentioned thrives with “fewer crowds and cooler temperatures” and offers visitors “memorable stories to take home with them.”
Do you think you know which beaches are on the list? Scroll down to find out.
Atlantic Beach, South Carolina is one of the beaches on National Geographic’s list
First on the list of beaches is Cape May, located at the tip of New Jersey.
Unlike many other Jersey Shore towns, Cape May does not close in the fall, making it the perfect destination for anyone looking to enjoy the sand and sun.
“Come in the fall, visitors have plenty of elbow room to walk or bike along the boardwalk, explore the two miles of glistening coastline and stop for a sticky bun at family-owned Madison’s Bakery or a double IPA from Cape May Brewery,” Nat Geo noted.
The city also has 600 Victorian-era homes and the iconic 164-year-old Cape May Lighthouse, which offers visitors panoramic views of the city.
Just behind the New Jersey beach, Hale’iwa on the Hawaiian island of O’ahu, with access to natural springs and native foods dating back to the 12th century.
“Queen Lili’uokalani, the last sovereign monarch of the Hawaiian Kingdom, vacationed here during the summer,” wrote Nat Geo.
Ke Huy Quan and Corey Feldman in 1985’s ‘The Goonies’ at Cannon Beach
Cape May, New Jersey’s iconic lighthouse, which offers panoramic views of the area
A still from ‘The Goonies’ featuring stars Kerri Green and Josh Brolin at Cannon Beach
The beach attracts hordes of visitors during the winter months when waves are high due to storms, making autumn the best time to avoid the crowds.
In third place is Revere Beach, located five miles north of Boston and founded in 1895 – making it the oldest public beach in the United States.
Sometimes called the ‘Coney Island of the East’, the beach offers dance halls, cinemas, restaurants, carousels and more.
The fourth beach on the list is perhaps one of the most famous on the list, due to 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 because of its incredible history and unique Native American features.
The area was even explored in 1806 by William Clark and Sacagawea, resulting in a 10-foot-tall cedar sculpture called the ‘Welcome Pole’ by artist Guy Capoeman.
Most notably, however, the beach is identified by Haystack Rock, a 70-meter-high basalt sea stack on the shoreline.
Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock from Ecola State Park, Cannon Beach, Oregon
Hale’iwa on the Hawaiian island of O’ahu took third place on the list
Revere Beach, Massachusetts took 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 crowded area, Main Beach, is where Michael Jordan once played on the basketball courts, while Thousand Steps Beach is known for being more secluded.
“Fall is the best time to visit: the crowds have subsided, the water is warm, and the weather is nice enough to eat at one of the many open-air restaurants,” wrote Nat Geo.
The publication also recommends taking the 3-mile Top of the World hike, with views of Catalina Island and Mount Baldy.
Number six, Atlantic Beach, is a black beach in South Carolina that has been a quiet and scenic vacation spot for over thirty years.
The fall months are busier than the summer months, as a lot of water comes from Myrtle Beach, and the fall months are perfect for any beachgoer who wants to soak up the history without the headache of densely populated 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 by Spanish explorer Don Pedro Menéndez de Avilés before Jamestown and Plymouth Rock
In last place is St. Augustine Beach, Florida, which was first discovered by Spanish explorer Don Pedro Menéndez de Avilés before Jamestown and Plymouth Rock.
“Stroll the red-brick streets lined with centuries-old buildings, or take an Old Town Trolley tour,” notes National Geographic.
The city is also known for the González-Alvarez House, the oldest surviving Spanish colonial residence in the city, and the pink sand made from crushed coquina.
The autumn months offer a less humid atmosphere with pleasant beach and town walks and plenty to do including horse riding and shark tooth hunting.