It's Memorial Day weekend so that means at least two things.  First, it's the unofficial start of summer, the official start is on the summer solstice.  Second, it means that Dr. Beach, aka Stephen Leatherman, has released his top 10 beaches list for 2018.  Kapalua Bay Beach in Maui, Hawaii came in at #1 after finishing 2nd to Siesta Beach in Sarasota, Florida in 2017.  

There were 9 repeat beaches from 2017 with Siesta Beach falling out of the top 10.  As a result, the same states, California, Florida, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina and South Carolina are repeated so would be interested to know if beaches from other states such as Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Oregon, Washington, etc. get consideration.  In fact, I sent Dr. Beach an email asking whether any beaches in the Pacific Northwest where I live have ever been considered for the list, but am still waiting to hear back. 

While Washington has some interesting beaches, Oregon is by far my preference as it's loaded with great beaches like Netarts Bay, Pacific City and Manzanita among many others.  And while British Columbia doesn't get consideration by Dr. Beach, one of the all time great beaches is Tofino on the west coast of Vancouver Island.  Maybe in 2019 Dr. Beach will surprise people with a beach from a non traditional state.