US Beaches: Seasons, Safety & Coastal Events
The United States has roughly 95,000 miles of shoreline, and almost all public beach access is free. What varies is the season, the lifeguard cover and the hazards — rip currents cause the large majority of surf rescues, so the flag system below is worth knowing before you go.
Coastal festivals and outdoor events
Public beaches are free and unticketed. These are outdoor festivals, fairs and food events — the kind of thing worth planning a coastal trip around.
540 events found. Showing page 1 of 23.
TomorrowFairs & FestivalsPlan your beaches trip
These are the official and authoritative sources for beaches in the United States — permits, conditions, safety and access.
Frequently asked questions
What do beach flag colours mean?
Green is calm, yellow means moderate surf or current, red means a strong hazard and double red means the water is closed. Purple flags warn about dangerous marine life, not surf, and can fly alongside any other colour.
How do I escape a rip current?
Do not swim against it. Stay calm, float, and swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the narrow channel pulling you out, then angle back in. Rip currents pull you away from the beach, not under.
When is beach season in the USA?
Lifeguards typically staff northern beaches from Memorial Day to Labor Day only. Florida, southern California, Hawaii and the Gulf Coast run year-round, though Gulf and Atlantic hurricane season peaks in September.
Are US beaches free?
Public beach access is free almost everywhere, though parking is often paid and some state and county beaches charge a per-vehicle entry fee in summer.