America’s shores are as varied as the country itself, with room for every kind of seasider, waverider, sunbather, and beachcomber. Whether you’re chasing big waves, wildlife, or pure seclusion, laying down a single towel or setting up a whole camp, the beach is the ultimate democratizer. Free to enter, open to all, and only as good as we leave it.

Portland, Maine, is rapidly earning its reputation as a culinary hotspot, especially in the seafood department. However, this vibrant New England city on Casco Bay offers much more than lobster and chowder. (Potato donuts, anyone?) Beyond its famed dishes, Portland boasts Victorian-era architecture, outdoor adventures, museums, minor league baseball, and offshore islands. It’s the perfect summer getaway—and this is how we do it.

A Few Faves >> Keep an eye on the tide chart when you visit Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island, Georgia. The remains of a maritime forest shaped by the sea, it’s a calm and dreamlike sculpture garden. Three fabulous beaches on Siesta Key, a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Sarasota, Florida, have silky sand made from quartz.

Seaside Splendor >> Highway 1 is back in business! The Regent Slide area in Big Sur that had been closed for three years is now open, making it easier to get to Monterey County’s best beaches. And here’s how to enjoy the beautiful but fragile ecosystem responsibly.

On the Waterfront >> Charleston’s first true waterfront hotel, The Cooper, opened this spring as a 191-room beach house fit for the whole family. Champalimaud Design is responsible for interiors filled with Southern coastal charm. Guests can cruise to concerts, restaurants, nearby beaches, or just into the sunset.

Beachy Chic >> The Vineta Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida, finally reopened this spring under European luxury group Oetker (also responsible for Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on the French Riviera) with beautiful Deco details, a gorgeous pool, and Moke beach cruisers.

Not the Hamptons. Montauk >> The summer hub at the tip of Long Island is singing with laid-back beach culture, dressed-up stays, waterfront seafood shacks, and mom-and-pop shops. Here’s a breezy beach town agenda.

The mission-driven luxury brand 1 Hotels focuses on eco-conscious sustainability and nature-based design. And its newest, 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, makes itself right at home on Hawaii’s most luscious island. The verdant flagship opened after a multi-year $300 million renovation that saw the former St. Regis Princeville Resort on Kauaʻi's North Shore transformed with a cutting-edge spa, suspended infinity pool, and landscaping features indoors and out. The beach is peaceful and the views are surreal: From here, the sea is surrounded by green mountains and often covered in mist that reveals giant rainbows.

Ride a wave of beach inspiration on days you’re not near the water.