Coronado Beach #7 Best Beach US

Dr. Beach picks Coronado Beach for top 10 beaches in America list released in 2016

Floridian "Dr. Beach" AKA Stephen Leatherman, is a self-proclaimed expert on beaches in the USA, having chosen the nation's Top 10 best beaches annually for more than 20 years. With criteria ranging from sand color and texture to water color and visible trash, Coronado Beach in San Diego County has ranked #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8. Since 1991 California has scored #1 Best Beach in America" only once; Hawaii 12 times; and Florida 6 times.

With the West Coast's extensive water quality monitoring resource, Healthebay.org, a more thoughtful approach to picking best beaches would be based on water quality reports first, then esthetics such as days of sunshine, free activities, etc.

Complaints about Leatherman's beach picks in Florida have included: "the beach smelled like sulphur" or "like urine". Another Top 10 Beaches list from a national media organization awards beaches by popular votes--which again, doesn't take safety into consideration.

We salute Coronado Beach -- it is truly a beautiful beach. However, California's approx. 1,000 miles of beaches offer a lifetime of exploring with countless gems not on any list.