If you could escape to any beach in the country, where would you go? A new report from PrivacyJournal reveals the beaches Americans are dreaming about visiting in 2025, with one Southern beach sweeping the competition.
By analyzing search data across all 50 states, the report looked at over 100 popular beach destinations to see which were searched the most from out of state. The clear winner? Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The East Coast’s all-purpose playground racked up top beach searches in 18 states. Northeasterners are especially drawn to the sandy destination, with people in Maine, Massachusetts and Vermont showing the strongest interest. It's no surprise that Myrtle Beach claims the top spot—with 60 miles of coast, a bustling boardwalk and endless family attractions, this beach is built for visitors.
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At number two is Clearwater Beach, Florida. Though Florida is often called the beach capital of the U.S., this is actually the only spot in the state to crack the top five. Even then, it garners only half the national interest Myrtle Beach does. Still, nine states (eight of them in the Midwest) are searching for Clearwater Beach's sugar-white sand, legendary sunsets and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, home of the real-life dolphin star from Dolphin Tale.
In third place is Virginia Beach, Virginia, a destination that mixes beach town vibes with a dose of history. Eight states search for this Atlantic favorite, from neighboring Maryland to faraway California. The three-mile boardwalk, surfable waves and attractions like the Military Aviation Museum make it more than just sun and fun.
Despite California's long coast, the only West Coast beach to make the top five is Cannon Beach, Oregon, coming in at number four. This beach is known for its dramatic sea stacks and moody Pacific charm. It’s the most searched beach in six states, proof that sometimes wild and rugged beats warm and sunny.
Rounding out the top five is Orange Beach, Alabama, a sleeper hit with its white sands and Southern hospitality, drawing search traffic from four states.
Bottom line? While the U.S. has nearly 100,000 miles of coastline to explore, these five beaches clearly capture the nation’s imagination. Whether it’s the boardwalk buzz of Myrtle or the Pacific mist of Cannon, these sandy shores are calling!
Most sought-after beaches, according to PrivacyJournal
- Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (top search in 18 states)
- Clearwater Beach, Florida (top search in nine states)
- Virginia Beach, Virginia (top search in eight states)
- Cannon Beach, Oregon (top search in six states)
- Orange Beach, Alabama (top search in four states)