No. 2: Kahanamoku Beach

America's Top 10 Beaches

Kahanamoku Beach in Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii, is the No. 2 spot to soak in the sun and surf, according to Dr. Beach.

(AP Photo)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

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America's Top 10...
With summer just around the corner, "Dr. Beach" - professor Stephen P. Leatherman of Florida International University - has released his much-awaited list of top U.S. beaches.
Now in its 22nd year, Dr. Beach's recommendations are taken seriously by beach-lovers the world over: A No. 1 spot on the popular list typically brings a 15-to-20-percent boost in visitors.
This year's top pick breaks the mold, giving props to a beach in a state that hasn't made the No. 1 pick in the history of the list.
Check out these sandy stretches of heaven.

(AP Photo)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
No. 10: Cape Hat... Cape Hatteras in North Carolina takes the No. 10 spot. Pictured here is the beach's iconic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.

(AP Photo)

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No. 9: Beachwalk... Beachwalker Park on Kiawah Island in South Carolina takes the No. 9 spot.

(AP Photo)

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No. 8: Cape Flor... Cape Florida State Park near Miami, Fla. takes the No. 8 spot. This photo shows the Cape Florida lighthouse at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, in Key Biscayne, Fla.

(AP Photo)

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No. 7: Waimanalo... Waimanalo Bay Beach Park in Oahu, Hawaii lands at No. 7 for Dr. Beach.

(AP Photo)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
No. 6: Coast Gua... Coast Guard Beach in Cape Cod, Mass., scooped up the No. 6 spot on the 2012 list of Top 10 beaches.

(AP Photo)

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No. 5: Hamoa Bea... Hamoa Beach on Hawaii's Maui makes it into the top 5 for 2012 list.

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The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
No. 4: St. Georg... St. George Island State Park, located along the Florida Panhandle, ranks No. 4 for Dr. Beach in 2012. Above: Miles of empty beach and billions of sea shells await a lone beachcomber at St. George Island State Park. It’s called the Forgotten Coast because Florida’s winter tourists tend to prefer the warmer beaches of south Florida, but for tourists from the far north, sunny days in the 50's and 60's can seem like spring, and without any crowds.

(AP Photo)

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No. 3: Main Beac... The swanky sands of Main Beach, East Hampton, land at No. 3 this year for Dr. Beach. Enjoy the peace and quiet.

(AP Photo)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
No. 2: Kahanamok... Kahanamoku Beach in Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii, is the No. 2 spot to soak in the sun and surf, according to Dr. Beach.

(AP Photo)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
No. 1: Coronado ...
Like a Hollywood star, Coronado's 1.5 mile-long beach literally sparkles, thanks to the mineral mica glinting in its sand.
That's one of the reasons why Coronado — flanked by the iconic hotel featured in Marilyn Monroe's 1958 film "Some Like It Hot" — has been named the No. 1 beach in the United States in the 2012 survey.
It is the first time Dr. Beach has given the top slot to California in the more than two decades that he has been ranking beaches in the United States based on their environmental quality and safety for swimmers.
Coronado Beach, on a peninsula across the bay from San Diego, has near-perfect Mediterranean weather and a postcard backdrop.