SLO County ‘hidden gem’ is the No. 1 beach in the nation, new study says. Which one?
Planning a getaway? San Luis Obispo County is home to the No. 1 beach in the United States, according to HomeToGo.
The vacation rental website recently released its 2025 Beach Index, ranking the 35 top beaches in the nation for travelers to visit.
“Spring break is on the horizon, and there’s no better time to dive into the best beach destinations in America,” HomeToGo said in a Feb. 24 news release. “Whether you’re surfing for savings, sailing toward sunshine, or searching for a secret shoreline, HomeToGo has combed through the data to bring you a tide-turning guide to coastal escapes.”
The site said it ranked destinations based on a variety of factors, including affordability, “dreamy weather,” “hidden gem status” and “that extra splash of local charm.”
Avila Beach took first place on HomeToGo’s list of the top 10 beach destinations.
Here’s what to know:
Why is Avila Beach the best place for a beach vacation?
“Situated in a sheltered cove on California’s Central Coast, Avila Beach is a gem of a destination with golden sand and warmer waters than many nearby beaches,” HomeToGo said.
Avila Beach nabbed top marks as a destination with clear skies, ample activities and a dazzling food and drink scene, according to HomeToGo.
Visitors can “kayak and paddleboard, or stroll along sections of the pier extending into the Pacific, offering ocean views and fishing spots,” HomeToGo said.
Avila Beach earned a hidden gem score of 9.29 and a 9.35 score for sunny skies. It also scored 9.67 for dining experiences. All scores were based on a scale of 1 to 10.
Avila Beach also scored well as an affordable vacation spot with high visitor satisfaction.
The median nightly price per person for a vacation rental in Avila Beach is $124, according to HomeToGo.
What other California beaches made the list?
Four other Golden State destinations landed on HomeToGo’s best beaches list.
Pacific Beach in San Diego came in at No. 18, scoring a perfect 10 for its frequently clear skies.
Orange County’s Huntington Beach — a popular surfer haunt featuring good weather and affordable vacation rentals — ranked No. 24, according to HomeToGo.
Manhattan Beach in Los Angeles County was ranked No. 27 for its sunny skies and high visitor satisfaction ratings.
The final California beach on the list was Stinson Beach in the San Francisco Bay Area, which was ranked No. 34.
HomeToGo praised that location as a hidden gem destination that left visitors satisfied.
Where are the top 10 beaches in the US?
According to HomeToGo, these were the top 10 beaches for a break in 2025:
- Avila Beach
- Kure Beach, North Carolina
- Cherry Grove Beach, South Carolina
- Saint Joe Beach, Florida
- Vilano Beach, Florida
- Bethany Beach, Delaware
- Crystal Beach, Texas
- Pensacola Beach, Florida
- Miramar Beach, Florida
- Navarre Beach, Florida
How did HomeToGo come up with its rankings?
HomeToGo compiled internal search data to make its list of the best beach destinations in the United States.
The 35 travel destinations were chosen based on traveler demand, whether beach-side accommodations were available and affordable, the vacation rental website said on its website.
The site looked at seven data points to rank the best beaches in the nation:
- Search volume for vacations in the area
- Median nightly price for accommodation
- Average temperature
- Average days of rain
- Average visitor satisfaction
- Number of nearby places to eat and drink
- Average distance traveled by vacationers to reach each destination.
This story was originally published February 26, 2025 at 9:00 AM.
