Dr. Beach's #8 pick for America's Top Beach, 2004:

Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Don't expect to "discover" this strip of sand; many have already beat you here! The Mayflower first landed on this beach in 1620 but evidence shows that Native Americans have been here for over 4,000 years. Part of the Cape Cod National Seashore, the beach is tops with swimmers during the summer. For more on this beach, click here to access the national parks site.