Secret Sands
Horseshoe Beach
La Jolla, California
The closest thing to an undiscovered find on a bustling, built-up coast, Horseshoe will never draw big crowds with its location; the crescent moon of shoreline is only accessible by an unmarked stairwell (off Coast Boulevard near Prospect Street). T+L Tip At high tide, a rock jetty on the northern end of the beach doubles as a natural diving platform. Check-In The nearby 28-room Hotel Parisi (1111 Prospect St.; 800/525-4800; hotelparisi.com; doubles from $395) is a locally owned boutique hotel with suitably So-Cal services (craniosacral massage, Pilates).
Waianapanapa Black-Sand Beach
Maui, Hawaii
On Honokalani Road, just off the Hana Highway, is Waianapanapa, a black-sand cove set between cliffs. Watch daredevils paddle their boards beyond the weathered rock arches and lava tubes jutting from the shore. Shopping Detour At the Hasegawa General Store (5165 Hana Hwy.; 808/248-7079), load up on bargain surf shorts and folding beach chairs. Check-In Book one of the Sea Ranch Cottages facing the Pacific Ocean at Hotel Hana-Maui (5031 Hana Hwy.; 800/321-4262; doubles from $475).
Ladies Beach
Nantucket, Massachusetts
Follow dusty SUV's as they dogleg left before Cisco Beach and bump through a maze of dirt roads to seek out laid-back Ladies Beach, on the southwestern edge of Nantucket. T+L Tip Beachcombing dogs are welcome, but bring a leash. Check-In Hang your towels in a bay-view room at the Wauwinet (120 Wauwinet Rd.; 800/426- 8718; wauwinet.com; doubles from $500).
Napeague State Park
Long Island, New York
Ask any surfer or fisherman, and he'll extol the virtues of Montauk's shoreline. Not as well known, however, is Napeague, between Montauk and Amagansett. T+L Tip The only way to reach the beach is via a blink-and-you'll-miss-it right turn off Route 27 East. Shopping Detour For fashionable swimwear, head to Tracy Feith's summer-only shop (2101 Montauk Hwy., Amagansett; 631/267-6897). Check-In There's no need for a permit at Napeague, but guests at gray-shingled Gansett Green Manor (273 Main St., Amagansett; 631/267-3133; gansettgreenmanor.com; doubles from $275) receive free parking permits for other Hamptons beaches.
