Swimming Spots
Zuma Beach
Malibu, California
Over 40 miles of coast hug the base of the Santa Monica Mountains, but natives know to take the Pacific Coast Highway straight to Zuma for mellow swells and two miles of sizzling sand. T+L Tip The area has 2,025 parking spaces, but be sure to arrive by 10:30 a.m.—come noon, the lots are full. Check-In Media mogul David Geffen revamped a faded 18-year-old hotel to open Malibu Beach Inn (22878 Pacific Coast Hwy.; 800/462-5428; malibubeachinn.com; doubles from $375) on Carbon Beach. All 47 wood-and-stone rooms have fireplaces and oceanfront balconies.
Rosemary Beach
Florida
Rosemary has the same calm Gulf waters and sparkly quartz sand (it actually squeaks between your toes) as its neighbors along the 26-mile stretch of the Florida Panhandle. The difference: vacationers jam the beaches of Easter egg–colored Seaside, but it's possible to find yourself alone here if you time things right (between September and December, the water still averages 79 degrees). Check-In Try for one of the four Gulf-view rooms at the Pensione (78 Main St.; 850/231-1790; thepensione.com; doubles from $215), a brick-red hotel with blond-wood furnishings.
North Beach
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
With its posh boutiques and summer homes, Chatham is the Beverly Hills of Cape Cod. So it's surprising to discover that right offshore is a nearly deserted stretch of white sand. T+L Tip The boat journey to the beach through Aunt Lydia's Cove is half the fun, as schools of seals pop their heads above the water (Chatham Fish Pier, Shore Rd.; 508/945-5265). Check-In The Chatham Bars Inn (297 Shore Rd.; 800/527-4884; chathambarsinn.com; doubles from $375) is a shingled 1914 resort with white cottages along the shore.
Gooseberry Beach
Newport, Rhode Island
Protected by granite boulders and grassy dunes, Gooseberry's conditions are ideal for swimming or splashing in tidal pools. Reach the Beach Bicycle along Bellevue Avenue to Newport's 15-mile Ocean Drive, which follows the rocky Atlantic coastline facing Rhode Island Sound. Shopping Detour Stop at Angela Moore (119 Bellevue Ave.; 401/848-9695) for colorfully beaded sarongs and pink and green flip-flops. Check-In Rinse off the sea salt before heading west to the Castle Hill Inn & Resort (590 Ocean Dr.; 888/466-1355; castlehillinn.com; doubles from $419) for sunset cocktails on the oceanfront lawn.
Long Branch
New Jersey
South Beach chic has come to the Jersey Shore, with the opening of the David Collins–designed Avenue bistro and Le Club, a buzzing nightspot and beach club (23 Ocean Ave.; 732/759-2900; leclubavenue.com; dinner for two $140). Check-In Escape the crowds at Victorian B&B Cedars & Beeches (732/571-6777; cedarsandbeeches.com; doubles from $125).
