Nauset Light Beach in Cape Cod National Seashore, Massachusetts
Compared to much of the East Coast, any of Cape Cod's beaches seem quiet and uncrowded, but if you venture into the Cape Cod National Seashore, you'll find some of the best. The broad, sandy Nauset Light Beach is accessible via a steep staircase winding down the cliffs from the parking lot. With lifeguards on duty, showers and changing rooms, this beach blends isolation and convenience seamlessly.
Photo courtesy of iStock / Kirkikis