Jockey Ridge State Park
Located in Dare County, North Carolina within the beach community of Nags Head, Jockey's Ridge is a series of 150-feet-high sand dunes that once harbored pirates. Today, the North Carolina Department of Parks protects the line of sand hills, where day visitors can make the short ascent for a 360-degree view of the surrounding seascape. Then comes the fun part of running, sliding or tumbling back to the bottom. During the hot summer months, a refreshing swim awaits in the warm waters of the nearby Atlantic.
Jockey's Ridge State Park
300 West Carolista Dr.
Nags Head, NC 27959
252-441-7132
http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/jori/main.php
Point Reyes National Seashore
Just north of San Francisco, Point Reyes National Seashore provides an excellent place to hike in high hills that descend to the sandy (or sometimes rocky) beaches below. The Pacific edge of the park is rocky and not safe for swimming, but at Limantour Beach and nearby Drakes Beach, both a walk on a sandy beach and a hike into high hills are possible. However, the 50-degree water temperatures of Drakes Bay make a wetsuit almost mandatory for swimmers.
Point Reyes National Seashore
1 Bear Valley Rd.
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956
415-464-5100
http://www.nps.gov/pore/index.htm
Tillamook Mountain
This extraordinary hike on the Oregon coast climbs to the top of a 1,000-foot seaside mountain cliff, called Tillamook Head. Once traveled by Lewis and Clark, this beach climb is a historic walk that runs between the seaside communities of Cannon Beach and Seaside. From the south, the trail begins at the northern edge of Ecola State Park and climbs rapidly through deep forests. After completing the hike, the wide beaches in the town of Cannon Beach are a great place to take off your boots and go wading in the cool Pacific waters.
Ecola State Park
Seaside, OR 97138
http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_188.php
Acadia National Park
Located in Acadia National Park in Maine, Sand Beach is a popular place for sunbathing and sometimes swimming in the 55-degree seawater. Hikers visiting the beach can also take a short walk out to Great Head, a small promontory that juts out into the ocean. More adventuresome climbers should head across the park highway for the Beehive trail, which leads to the top of a 500-foot rocky cliff that peers straight down into the Atlantic. Acadia Park is located in northeastern Maine near the town of Bar Harbor.
Acadia National Park
P.O. Box 177
Bar Harbor, ME 04609
207-288-3338
http://www.nps.gov/acad/index.htm
Diamond Head State Monument
Located very near Honolulu on the island of Waikiki, this well-known Hawaiian landmark and state park features a volcano that sits at the edge of the sea. Diamond Head State Monument features a trail from the parking lot to the high point on the rim of volcanic crater. At the southern base of the crater is Diamond Head Beach Park, which provides moderate swimming and good surfing. Unfortunately, there is no trail that directly connects the two beautiful places that are located so close together.
Diamond Head State Monument
Kalanimoku Building
1151 Punchbowl St., Room 310
Honolulu, HI 96813
808-587-0300
http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/parks/oahu/index.cfm?park_id=15
