Hilton Head, South Carolina - Renowned for its East Coast vibe, Hilton Head offers quintessential beach activities for couples and families alike. Spend your days biking the 100 miles of cycling trails throughout the Atlantic island – breaking only to catch waves, soak up the sun and savor the area’s fabulous restaurants. For cheap grub, head to the Sea Shack and roll up your sleeves for affordable shrimp, crab and blackened fresh fish. At night, check out The Salty Dog Café. A $5 admission is required to get in the restaurant, situated on a resort plantation, but the nightly live music and souvenir T-shirt you’re bound to buy, make it well worth it.

Hermosa Beach, California - The year-round beach destination pulls out all the stops every Memorial Day weekend for Fiesta Hermosa.  Hundreds of vendors set up shop along Hermosa Avenue, Pier Avenue and Pier Plaza in downtown Hermosa for three days of great food, drinks and live music. Kids can switch between amusement park rides and sand castles until 6 p.m. nightly as parents peruse local shops and the ever-popular beer garden. If you get to town by Friday, take part in the Samburu Project’s Walk for Water, an event that raises awareness and funds for clean water initiatives in Kenya.

The Gulf Coast, Mississippi - Sailboats, casinos and spectacular beaches await you on Mississippi’s Gulf Coast this Memorial Day weekend. The recovering seaside region has made wonderful strides in the past few years and is burgeoning with festivities the whole family will enjoy. Mosey over to the Gulfport Dragway for the 29th Annual Gulfport Memorial Day Blowout, a four-day event of racing, flea markets and live music. After the awards ceremony, set sail on a chartered boat and play fisherman with one of the many charter companies in the area. By night you can check out one – or all – of the 11 casinos for a game of roulette or swanky dinner out.

Nantucket, Massachusetts - For the ultimate in New England living, put your Nantucket Reds on and head to Figawi Race Weekend this Memorial Day to watch the finest sailors in the country race wondrous yachts from Cape Cod to the island of Nantucket. The preppy vacation spot, just a few hours south of Boston, offers some of the finest beaches in the nation. Simply hop a ferry, bring a good book and umbrella, and take in the intoxicating salt air for hours each day.

Stone Harbor, New Jersey - Join vacationing crowds of Philadelphians for fireworks and festivities this holiday weekend in Stone Harbor, New Jersey. Just two hours by car from the City of Brotherly Love, Stone Harbor is a quaint town situated between Atlantic City and Cape May. Wake up early to beat the crowds waiting in line for fluffy pancakes at Uncle Bill’s Pancake House and, after, stroll the strip of shops in the seaside village’s downtown. After days of bike riding and body surfing, catch a proper small town parade on Sunday at noon along the town’s main drag.

The next five beach destinations to make the list include: Chincoteague, Virginia; Chicago, Illinois; Sanibel Island, Florida; Waimea Bay, Hawaii and Del Mar, California.  The read the complete list of Top 10 Beach Destinations, click here.