When you think about a beach vacation in the U.S., what do you picture? Southern California’s golden shores, or maybe powdery white sands in Florida? You might be surprised to learn which of the country’s beach destinations has been the most searched this year.
PrivacyJournal decided to explore beach-related search behavior in 2025 across the U.S. by focusing on over 100 of the most popular beaches and keywords like activities and hotels related to them. CEO Mauricio Preuss said what was fascinating about the study “is that even when Americans search beyond their home state for beach destinations, they still prioritize accessibility.” That means, they tend toward those that are within reasonable flying or driving distance, making cost and travel time major factors.
The Most Searched Beach Town in the U.S.
After analyzing the data and excluding a state’s own beaches, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, came out on top as the most searched in 18 states. While it may be underrated, it makes sense, offering over 60 miles of sandy shoreline and a wealth of fun attractions, not to mention its central location on the east coast, within relatively easy reach for many. Visitors not only enjoy soaking up the sun, but there are a wide range of water sports on offer, with the Atlantic and the Intercoastal Waterway here. Enjoy everything from sailing, jet skiing, parasailing, kayaking, and paddleboarding, to scuba diving, dolphin watching boat tours, and even pirate cruises.
Plus, Myrtle Beach has an iconic oceanfront boardwalk—in the summer’s there’s live entertainment after dark and weekly fireworks displays. Local publication The Sun News reports that it’s no surprise to Visit Myrtle Beach president Stuart Butler. In an email he wrote that the area offers “unmatched, family friendly value, variety and vibrancy.”
Other Top Searches
Any guesses as to the other beaches that ranked high on beach destination searches? Rounding out the top five were Clearwater Beach in Florida, Virginia Beach in Virginia, Cannon Beach in Oregon, and Orange Beach in Alabama.
For More Late Summer Travel Inspiration
Want to make the most of late summer by enjoying a beach escape? We’ve got some intel that can provide inspiration in some of our latest posts, from the Best Beach Getaways For Labor Day Weekend to Oregon’s Beaches Are the Most Underrated in the Country—Here’s Where to Go.
