Homes.com Launches "Top 10s," Recognizing America's Top Ten Scenic Seasides for the Summer

NORFOLK, Va., May 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Which beach has the best waves to surf? What is the most family-friendly beach? America's beaches are the best place to see and be seen during the summer, but all beaches aren't created equal. From the nostalgic lighthouses in Nantucket, Mass. to the lively party scene in Miami, Fla., the experts at Homes.com have scoured the country to discover the top beaches to fit every family's bucket list.

Homes.com, a leading consumer destination site and resource for all things home related, will release a series of "Top 10" lists throughout the year to guide consumers through all of life's adventures, from finding a summer vacation spot to acknowledging America's top cities for raising children.

The Homes.com Top Ten Scenic Seasides include:

1. Best Beach for Everyone: Provincetown, Massachusetts

Visitors to this quaint town can spend the day lounging on the Cape Cod National Seashore, playing along the harbor beaches or spending time strolling through downtown.

2. Best Beach Town for A Classic Experience: Wildwood, New Jersey

A great mix of entertainment, relaxation and shopping, this Jersey Shore town is home to a two-mile stretch of boardwalk complete with carnival games, shops and plenty of delicious food.

3. Best Beach Town for Golf: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Dubbed "best beach town for golfers," Myrtle Beach offers 60 miles of beach and more than 100 golf courses each with their own unique challenges.

4. Best Sandy Beach: Emerald Coast, Florida

Famous for 24 miles of sugar-white sands and emerald-green waters, northwest Florida's Emerald Coast encompasses the laid-back beach towns of Destin, Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa Island.

5. Best Beach for Surfers: Huntington Beach, California

Affectionately called "Surf City," Huntington Beach is known for its beautiful coastline and epic waves.

6. Best Beach for History Buffs: Nantucket, Massachusetts

A visit to Nantucket is a quick journey back to historic New England. Thirty miles south of Cape Cod, this small New England town is home to beautiful cottages, historic lighthouses, museums and wild roses native to the island.

7. Best Beach to Gather Seashells: Galveston Beach, Texas

This family-friendly beach has more than 32 miles of shoreline for visitors to enjoy.  What makes it the perfect place to gather seashells? Winds coming from the north push the water back and reveal the abundance of natural seashells, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

8. Best Family-Friendly Beach: Crystal Coast, North Carolina

A favored Atlantic beach destination for generations, the Crystal Coast is the perfect family getaway, offering family-friendly activities from dining on fresh seafood and exploring historic haunts in a 300-year-old town, to enjoying its 85 miles of silken shoreline. 

9. Best Beach for Nightlife: Miami Beach, Florida

Known for its legendary nightlife, Miami Beach is the hub of all things fabulous, active and creative. Home to celebrities and athletes, Miami Beach is a mecca for those looking to swim, surf and jet ski in the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean by day and party their cares away at night.

10. Best Beach for Relaxation: Coronado Beach in San Diego, California

Dubbed an "oasis by the sea," Southern California's Coronado Beach is a beautiful stretch of uninterrupted sand and water totaling 70 miles.

For pictures and more vacation activities in America's Top 10 Scenic Seasides, visit the Homes.com blog (blog.homes.com).

For more information, visit http://www.homes.com or blog.homes.com.

SOURCE Homes.com