Presenting the "10 Best Beaches in America" as selected by Dr. Beach, a.k.a Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman of Florida International University's Laboratory for Coastal Research. Each year, Dr. Beach examines America’s beaches using 50 criteria that include water temperature, quality of water and sand, beach management, litter control and available facilities. According to his website at www.drbeach.org, he then confers with beach managers, park rangers and expert colleagues before making his selection.

Over many years, Dr. Leatherman has visited all 650 major U.S. beaches and many smaller, out-of-the-way shores and has authored or edited 18 books. So, we think his picks for 2007 are well worth noting.

Top 10 Beaches of 2007

Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach, Outer Banks, North Carolina- National Winner (photo courtesy Dr. Leatherman, above)
Caladesi Island State Park, Dunedin, Florida
Coopers Beach, Southampton, New York
Hanalei Bay, Kauai, Hawaii
Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Hamoa Beach, Maui, Hawaii
Main Beach, East Hampton, New York
Coronado Beach, San Diego, California
Lighthouse Point Park, Daytona Beach, Florida
Siesta Beach, Sarasota, Florida

It’s also noteworthy that once a beach reaches first place, it can never return to the list again, so Fort De Soto Park's North Beach warrants a closer look. According to Dr. Beach, this beach is kind of like the girl next door--"beautiful but unpretentious." He notes there's great shelling and natural dunes, plus a dog park and plenty of places to park your car. This classic beach is a fine place for all the standard activities--swimming, fishing, kayaking, bird-watching, biking, and camping. And if you’re touring around Florida or other beach combing spots, consider a stop at some these past (also gorgeous) first place winners:

2006 - Fleming Beach Park, Maui, Hawaii; 2005 - Fort De Soto Park's North Beach, Florida; 2004- Hanauma Bay, Hawaii; 2003- Kaanapali Beach, Hawai’i; 2002- St Joseph Peninsula State Park, Florida; 2001- Poipu Beach Park, Hawai’i; 2000- Mauna Kea Beach, Hawai’i; 1999- Wailea Beach, Hawai’i; 1998- Kailua Beach Park, Hawai’i; 1997- Hulopoe, Hawai’i; 1996- Lanikai Beach, Hawai’i; 1995- St Andrews SRA, Florida; 1994- Grayton Beach SRA, Florida; 1993- Hapuna, Hawai’i; 1992- Bahia Honda SRA, Florida; 1991-Kapalua Bay Beach, Hawai’i.

Of course, any website such as this one devoted to family travel also reviews hundreds of beaches. If you're going to be traveling with a toddler or weak swimmer, be sure to search the Family Travel Forum sites for phrases such as "calm and shallow," "gentle surf" or "perfect for waders" because these are surf qualities that will make a big difference in the enjoyment of your youngest one's first days at the beach.

For more ideas on beach areas to visit, you can check out 4BeachNuts.com, a database of beachfront vacation properties around the world.