Sometimes you just want to escape to your own secret isle, a place with sandy shores and beautiful skies. Few of us can afford an entire island, but sometimes finding the desolation that we want is as simple as hopping in the car and driving out to the coast. All along the US coast and in Hawaii there are beautiful beaches, undiscovered treasures that have taken millions of years to shape. Here are the best beaches in America to escape to in the summer months.Hanalei Bay, Kauai, HI — Hawaii is full of amazing beaches, but what puts Hanalei Bay ahead of the competition is its serene setting. Hanalei Bay has 2 miles of perfect beach set against the base of huge green mountains on the north shore of Kauai. The water is glassy much of the year, calm and perfect for people of all ages. The water is a perfect hawaiian turquoise and as warm as a bath. This is the perfect beach to just toss around a frisbee or take a swim out into the ocean. Be sure to take off your shoes, let your feet sink into the sand while the water slowly laps up at your toes.San Gregorio Beach, San Gregorio, CA — Though the Pacific Ocean in Northern California tends to hover in the low to mid-50’s year round, what makes beaches here so beautiful are the iconic cliffs that line the coast. Many beaches, including San Gregorio are 50 vertical feet below the roadway, a sheer drop against huge sandstone cliffs that define the California Coast. As the sun begins to set, and the sky turns from blue to pink, these faces have a golden sheen that shines off the water. The sea is rough and the breeze is laces with salt. So if you ever find yourself near San Francisco, and you’re tired of city life, then head out to the coast, drive down the Pacific Coast Highway and stop at San Gregorio while the sun is beginning to set.Coopers Beach, Southampton, NY — Though it seems like California and Hawaii get all the credit for having the best beaches in the US, the Hamptons were the original spot to put your feet in the water and walk through the sand. Coopers Beach in Southhampton, like many of the other Hamptons, is full of the wealthy and elite from New York City during the summer months. The water seems to sparkle as it passes over the wet sand making for one of the most pristine and iconic beaches along the east coast. But what sets Coopers Beach apart from the rest are the enormous beach front mansions that look out towards the water, each nestled behind a windswept bank and overgrown coastal shrubs. But even if you can’t afford to buy yourself a palatial Hamptons estate, you can enjoy the calm that people find in the Hamptons.South Padre Island, TX — Out in the Gulf of Mexico, South Padre Island is a small isle full of beautiful white sand dunes. This one horse town is nothing more than a beach and a couple of shops. But there’s nothing quite like the desolation you find in South Padre, the ability to sit down under an umbrella and spend your entire afternoon reading a good book. There are few places where you can sit down and stare out into the beautiful blue waters of the gulf and not be surrounded by thousands of other beach goers. South Padre is also a great place to try out any sort of beach activity whether it be parasailing, windsurfing, jet-skiing, or fishing.Hamoa Beach, Maui, Hawaii — Hamoa Beach, on the road to Hana in Maui, is a beach that is guarded by huge boulders and volcanic rock at its edges. It is a perfect crescent of silvery gray sand that feels soft against your feet. The water can be rough, but the sights and sounds of this beach make it one of the best in the Hawaiian islands. Though relatively well known amongst Hawaiians and tourists alike, Hamoa beach always seems to maintain a sense of desolation. Set in front of huge Hala trees, civilization seems millions of miles away from this place. Be sure to walk along the edge of the water, and just enjoy the smells of the Maui forests and the warm water biting up at your ankles as you walk along the crescent.Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, MA — During the summer months, Coast Guard Beach is one of the best places to swim on the Cape. It’s a beautiful stretch of sand sidled along the beautiful waters of the Atlantic. Though the Cape is full of New England’s elite during the summer months, it still maintains its down-to-earth feel. The beach can become crowded during the summer months, but this beach at the heart of the national seashore is one of the best places to be on the Cape. The calm waters are great for kids and adults alike and is a great place to spend a weekend for Bostonians who want to escape the city.Hapuna Beach, HI — Though many of Hawaii’s beaches have fantastic snorkeling, Hapuna Beach has been known to have one of the most beautiful reefs in the entire archipelago. At the south end of the beach you can swim out about 15 feet to see fish of all colors, running in schools all along the coral. The clear water will give you some of the most up-close and personal views of marine life, and many of Hawaii’s native fish. The north side is also great for swimming out into the open ocean while the beach is well outfitted for picnics, barbeques, and just sitting back and relaxing.Photo credit: flickr cc Jay Bergesen