If a beach destination is in your summer trip plans, national seashores might just be the hidden gems you’ve been searching for. With beautiful natural beaches, unmatched views, historic settings and sparkling waters, national seashores give you beach parks on every coast for the perfect sand, sun and waves vacation this summer.

Among the many monuments and natural spaces that make up America’s National Park System, the U.S. has 10 national seashores that stretch from the stunning expanse of California’s Point Reyes to the barrier islands of the Atlantic. These coastal stretches are protected from development and are part of the National Park Service’s preservation efforts, which means you’ll find pristine beaches, uninterrupted nature, historic lighthouses and plenty of water activities there.

Seven of the Park Service’s national seashores are on the east coast, encompassing hundreds of miles of shoreline from Florida to New England. Two stretch along the Gulf of Mexico, and one adorns the Pacific Coast, just north of the Bay Area.

Head to one of these beach retreats or string together a few for a summer road trip.

1 Canaveral National Seashore, Florida

2 Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia

3 Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Outer Banks, North Carolina

4 Cape Lookout National Seashore, Outer Banks, North Carolina

5 Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland and Virginia

6 Cape Cod National Seashore, Massachusetts

7 Fire Island National Seashore, New York

8 Gulf Islands National Seashore, Florida and Mississippi

9 Padre Island National Seashore, Texas

10 Point Reyes National Seashore

— Lisa Wells, Food Drink Life