Dr. Beach's Top 10 Beaches of 2010

>Dr. Beach's Top 10 Beaches, 2010: Siesta Beach, Sarasota, Fla.

Dr. Beach's Top 10 Beaches, 2010: Coopers Beach, Southampton, N.Y.

Coastal expert Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, director of Florida International University's Laboratory for Coastal Research and known as "Dr. Beach," announced his 20th annual Top 10 Beaches list on May 28. He has compiled the list annually since 1991 using 50 criteria, including water quality and temperature, cleanliness, weather, sand, safety and facilities. Here are Dr. Beach’s top 10 picks for 2010, along with the No. 1 beaches from the five prior years.

1. Coopers Beach, Southampton, N.Y.: This white-quartz sand beach in the village of Southampton on the south shore of Long Island, N.Y., is a dramatic site to behold. It is hundreds of yards wide, backed by large sand dunes covered by American beach grass and interspersed with extravagant mansions. You’ll find some of the best beach access in the Hamptons here, along with a snack bar serving lunch and drinks.
Slide show text by Robin Dalmas, Bing Travel.

Dr. Beach's Top 10 Beaches, 2010: Coronado Beach, San Diego, Calif.

Dr. Beach's Top 10 Beaches, 2010: Siesta Beach, Sarasota, Fla.

2. Siesta Beach, Sarasota, Fla.: With some of the finest, whitest sand in the world, this beach attracts sand collectors from all over. Siesta Beach has clear, warm waters that are a swimmer’s dream. A unique underwater formation of coral rock and caves helps create a crescent-shaped beach that is perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving. This beach is hundreds of yards wide and is great for volleyball and other recreation.

Dr. Beach's Top 10 Beaches, 2010: Cape Hatteras, North Carolina

Dr. Beach's Top 10 Beaches, 2010: Coronado Beach, San Diego, Calif.

3. Coronado Beach, San Diego, Calif.: This veritable oasis by the sea is the toast of Southern California. It boasts lush subtropical vegetation, a unique Mediterranean climate and fine sparkling sand. Beachgoers flock here for mild surf and great ship watching. The local landmark, Hotel del Coronado, was built more than 100 years ago and offers spectacular architecture and Old World elegance. Kings, sheiks, actors and actresses have stayed at this property, where food and drinks are served on the beach.

Dr. Beach's Top 10 Beaches, 2010: Main Beach, East Hampton, N.Y.

Dr. Beach's Top 10 Beaches, 2010: Cape Hatteras, North Carolina

4. Cape Hatteras, Outer Banks of North Carolina: The country’s first national seashore is a barrier island that bulges far offshore. It provides some of the best board surfing along the East Coast and features the most famous lighthouse in the U.S. Cape Hatteras attracts beachgoers to its historic villages as well as nature lovers who enjoy beachcombing and fishing.

Dr. Beach's Top 10 Beaches, 2010: Kahanamoku Beach, Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii

Dr. Beach's Top 10 Beaches, 2010: Main Beach, East Hampton, N.Y.

5. Main Beach, East Hampton, N.Y.: Main Beach provides the perfect blend of nature and a manmade environment. Wealthy summertime residents flock here to beaches protected by a conservation easement that dates back more than 300 years. Main Beach is a great place for celebrity spotting; many actors and actresses visit for the idyllic setting in a small village. The big, wide sandy beach made of quartz has towering sand dunes and beautiful clean, clear blue water. Pedal a bicycle to avoid parking and take in the beautiful vista.

Dr. Beach's Top 10 Beaches, 2010: Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Mass.

Dr. Beach's Top 10 Beaches, 2010: Kahanamoku Beach, Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii

6. Kahanamoku Beach, Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii: This beach was named in honor of Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, a gold-medal Olympic swimmer who is credited with introducing surfing to the outside world. Kahanamoku Beach is bordered by the Ala Wai small boat harbor and the Hilton Hawaiian Village catamaran pier. A shallow offshore reef protects this beach from big waves, making it a great swimming area for families with children.

Dr. Beach's Top 10 Beaches, 2010: Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, S.C.

Dr. Beach's Top 10 Beaches, 2010: Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Mass.

7. Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Mass.: This beach, accessible by bicycle or via shuttle bus from the Salt Pond Visitor’s Center, was formed when a sand spit attached to the eroding glacial cliffs. The sand is fairly coarse, so the beach slopes steeply into the water. The picturesque old Coast Guard station still sits atop the glacial bluffs, allowing for a spectacular view of the Nauset Spit barrier system and bay. In summer, beachgoers tend to take quick, refreshing dips in the ocean, as water temperatures only reach 60 to 70 degrees.

Dr. Beach's Top 10 Beaches, 2010: Hamoa Beach, Maui, Hawaii

Dr. Beach's Top 10 Beaches, 2010: Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, S.C.

8. Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, S.C.: This public beach on the southern end of Kiawah Island is approximately 25 miles south of Charleston. Tennis and golf are featured here, as well as interpretative tours of the island’s flora and fauna. This is a nature-lover’s coast, so visitors should pack their canoes and kayaks to paddle through the tidal inlets or walk down to St. Sam’s Inlet to see thousands of birds. The water is not clear here, but it is clean and provides for fantastic seafood. Visitors can also pack their bicycles, since the sand is compact enough to ride along the 10-mile long barrier island.

Dr. Beach's Top 10 Beaches, 2010: Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne, Fla.

Dr. Beach's Top 10 Beaches, 2010: Hamoa Beach, Maui, Hawaii

9. Hamoa Beach, Maui, Hawaii: Ernest Hemingway once said that Hamoa Beach was the world’s best beach. It’s certainly the most famous of Maui’s Hana beaches. This crescent-shaped beach, a mixture of coral and lava sand, is rimmed by cliffs and covered by coconut palms and flowering vegetation. The beach is actually inside a breached volcanic crater. To get to Hamoa Beach, one has to take the “Road to Hana,” the treacherous drive with sporadic guardrails and drop-offs of more than 1,000 feet. Take it slow on this road, which has more than 50 one-way bridges.

Dr. Beach's Top Beach for 2009: Hanalei Bay Beach, Kauai, Hawaii

Dr. Beach's Top 10 Beaches, 2010: Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne, Fla.

10. Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne, Fla.: This beach at the southern tip of Key Biscayne provides clear, emerald-colored waters and gentle surf. The fine white-coral sand beach is great for swimming, as waves are knocked down by a large sand shoal offshore. In addition, the Cape Florida Lighthouse allows for a breathtaking view of this beautiful beach.

Dr. Beach's Top Beach for 2008: Caladesi Island State Park, Dunedin/Clearwater, Fla.

Dr. Beach's Top Beach for 2009: Hanalei Bay Beach, Kauai, Hawaii

Dr. Beach named Hanalei Bay Beach as his No. 1 beach in 2009. Hanalei Bay is a spectacular white crescent-shaped sand beach that is considered by residents and visitors to be the most beautiful beach setting in Hawaii. The two-mile long strand is lined by palm trees and has a backdrop of waterfalls and mountain peaks that range up to 4,000 feet high. One of the best views of the beach is from the Princeville Hotel on the high bluff to the east. The other end of this wide coral sand beach is anchored by a high lava point that extends into the ocean. This panorama has been the inspiration for many paintings and photo shoots. 

>Dr. Beach's Top Beach for 2007: Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach, Outer Banks, N.C.

Dr. Beach's Top Beach for 2008: Caladesi Island State Park, Dunedin/Clearwater, Fla.

Caladesi Island State Park took the No. 1 spot in 2008. It is north of Clearwater Beach, three miles off shore from Dunedin, and is one of the few undeveloped barrier islands left in Florida. Your imagination can get a vigorous workout here. While walking the three miles of beaches, it's easy to imagine yourself as a 16th-century Spanish explorer looking at the New World for the first time. Or, enjoy the Robinson Crusoe fantasy of having a tropical island to yourself. The Gulf Coast barrier island's unspoiled beauty offers a glimpse of Florida the way it looked centuries ago. Caladesi offers excellent opportunities for swimming, fishing, shelling, boating and nature study.

Dr. Beach's Top Beach for 2006: Fleming Beach Park, Maui, Hawaii

Dr. Beach's Top Beach for 2007: Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach, Outer Banks, N.C.

Ocracoke Island was Dr. Beach’s No. 1 pick in 2007. Big surf and coarse-grained beaches, some of the finest wild beaches in the country, are the rule here. The water quality is at the top of the charts, as there is literally nothing out here to pollute it. This island can be reached by a state ferry from Cape Hatteras. Don't come here expecting to play golf or stay at a resort hotel, however. The main pursuits are swimming (best at the Airport Beach area), shelling (especially on the north end) and general beachcombing along the 16-mile long shore. It's also fun to ride bicycles through the historic village of Ocracoke on the southern end of the island.

Dr. Beach's Top Beach for 2005: Fort De Soto Park, North Beach, St. Petersburg, Fla.

Dr. Beach's Top Beach for 2006: Fleming Beach Park, Maui, Hawaii

Fleming Beach Park was the No. 1 spot in 2006. This popular beach is great for swimming when the ocean is calm, but riptides may develop when the surf rises. The beach is long, wide and sandy and is surrounded by ironwood trees that provide wonderful shade. Take caution when swimming, however, due to the steep slope of the beach that causes a backwash even during calm seas.

Dr. Beach's Top Beach for 2006: Fleming Beach Park, Maui, Hawaii

Dr. Beach's Top Beach for 2005: Fort De Soto Park, North Beach, St. Petersburg, Fla.

Fort De Soto Park was the No. 1 spot in 2005. It consists of seven miles of beaches and two fishing piers along with picnic and camping areas within its 900 unspoiled acres. The island is easily accessible by a causeway from St. Petersburg and St. Pete Beach. A historic fort built during the Spanish-American War can be found on Mullet Key, the largest of the five islands that make up this unique area. The park also features a 235-site family camping area directly on the Gulf of Mexico, with luxury facilities that include picnic tables, grills, water, electricity, washers, dryers, sanitary disposal stations, modern restrooms, showers, play areas and a camp store.

Top New Dining Destinations

Allow us to make some introductions. You'll be pleased to meet (and eat at) these newly opened restaurants.

By Gayot.com for MSN Local Edition

The season yields a bounty of new eateries like Colicchio & Sons.

Restaurants are sprouting up all over the place like pretty spring posies ready to be plucked. We canvassed the country for the best culinary newcomers and weeded out the ones unworthy of your time, pocketbook and tastebuds. Our picks range from renowned chef Thomas Keller's Beverly Hills brasserie to a glam restaurant and lounge offering jaw-dropping views of Philadelphia to an eponymous establishment from Tom Colicchio (where he'll actually be in the kitchen).
Below is a bouquet of dining experiences (just shy of a dozen) harvested from across the country.

French gets fresh at Keller's new Beverly Hill's Bouchon.

Bouchon (Beverly Hills, Calif.)
Beverly Hills' Bouchon perfectly mimics a turn of the twentieth century Montparnasse brasserie. Designed by Adam Tihany, Thomas Keller's new location boasts copious details re-creating la Belle Époque: brass bars around the service station, elegant chairs, a cathedral-high ceiling adorned with a massive brass chandelier that reflects soft light on soaring windows. A battalion of cheerful waiters wearing white aprons animate the vibrant scene. Indeed, this place exudes la joie de vivre. Chef Rory Herrmann of Per Se fame adapted to the standards of this heartwarming eatery. Fare runs the gamut including a seafood platter, leg of lamb, steak frites, roasted chicken with wilted spinach, blood sausage, bouchot mussels, charcuterie, Bibb lettuce with garden herbs, quiches, and croque madame. Read the full review.

Divine dining courtesy of Ceres' Table.

Ceres' Table (Chicago)
Giuseppe Scurato (formerly of Topaz Café in Burr Ridge) opened this serene, blue-walled venture with his wife. From the moment you're seated at rustic, hammered wood tables, their dedication shows. Arancini, oozing with a mixture of Taleggio, artichoke and saffron risotto, are honest and luxurious. Shaved artichoke and mushroom salad with Parmigiano-Reggiano and arugula in truffle vinaigrette captures spring's essence. (Seasonality and local bounty are priorities here.) Pasta dishes range from goat cheese ravioli with rock shrimp, grape tomato, fava beans, leeks and basil to spaghetti alla chitarra. Even the flat-iron steak woos. Add craft cocktails plus a well-matched, approachable wine list, and the result is nothing short of bliss. Read the full review.

Colicchio & Sons (New York)
Colicchio's new eatery has one sure thing going for it: the Top Chef host claims he'll be in the kitchen cooking your meal -- that is, when he's not taping TV shows. The spacious restaurant and Tap Room are understated, putting the emphasis on the plate. Dishes skew Italian with some French influences thrown in: rigatoni with duck, porcini and spring onion, and ricotta ravioli with morels, fava beans and fava leaves. Colicchio creates bold, meaty pairings such as in the tender lamb loin accompanied by merguez sausages and lentils, and loup de mer with pork trotter and sweet-and-sour shallots. Read the full review.

Authentic barbeque done with ease at Community BBQ.

Community BBQ (Decatur, Ga.)
Two guys with strong chef credentials (David Roberts of The Ritz-Carlton and Seeger's; Stuart Baesel of Seeger's) devoted to barbeque can make a difference. Community BBQ's ribs come properly slow-smoked. Mac 'n' cheese is made with large tube pasta that's quite cheesy with a lovely top crust. Their slaw is fresh and delightfully crunchy; we also suggest the collard greens. Dessert might include strawberry shortcake with lemon buttermilk pound cake and whipped cream. Much of Community's ingredients come from local purveyors. Even their lemonade is freshly squeezed. Read the full review.

Il Barone's bleak exterior encases chic décor.

Il Barone Ristorante
(Newport Beach, Calif.)
Located near the John Wayne airport in a generic-looking complex, Il Barone Ristorante is worth the trip to this pocket of Newport Beach. Don't be bothered by the stark exterior. Among the dark woods and modern artwork, business types, lunching ladies, and groups nosh on Franco Barone's Italian favorites. A grilled octopus salad is a good palate-opening course, with its crunchy celery, red onions, bitter arugula and lemon vinaigrette. Opt for homemade pastas like the lasagna parma e tartugo with truffle-infused béchamel sauce. Secondi courses of Italian comfort food include tripe stew, Milanese-style chicken and veal with sautéed mushrooms in a Marsala wine reduction. Both the lunch and dinner menus accommodate discerning vegetarians and no-carb dieters. Read the full review.

Carve out some time to feast at Marlowe.

Marlowe (San Francisco)
Marlowe's rich, moody interior combines elements of an old-world butcher shop and a classic bistro. A roll of butcher paper announces the daily specials. Close tables and low lighting evoke a countryside bistro. Chef Jennifer Puccio's menu hones in on every craving. "Snacks" include alarmingly addictive pistachios coated in a glaze of bourbon, maple and smoked sea salt or wispy Brussels sprout chips. Whole grilled prawns dredged in Bay seasoning could be eaten as is, but come with a jar of "boozy" cocktail sauce. Roasted chicken tastes as if brushed with lavender. And creamy polenta studded with trumpets and chanterelles receives an injection of truffle. Finish with homey yet elegant desserts (apple crisp drenched in bourbon ice cream and a brown butter caramel sauce). Read the full review.
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Related reading from MSN and Gayot.com:
Top 40 U.S. Restaurants
Top Mother's Day Brunch Spots
Top 10 Romantic Restaurants
Top 10 Heart-healthy Restaurants
Top Easter Brunch Spots
Restaurants Near You
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Enjoy food and views that are tops at R2L.

R2L (Philadelphia)
Chef-owner Daniel Stern has reinvented wow dining in Philly with this glam restaurant and lounge on the 37th floor of Two Liberty Place. Diners enter through a street entrance complete with stanchions and a dedicated elevator delivers them directly to the eatery's jaw-dropping view. Stern's culinary sleight of hand keeps you guessing in dishes like venison and caramelized cippolini "cheesesteaks" and lobster cocktail "franks." The menu includes an inventive raw bar -- try the chilled oysters or the striped bass "fish and chip" bites. Desserts by Peter Scarola are favorites with sophisticated twists like the beignets with cinnamon honey, chocolate fondue and caramel, and the sour cream and walnut apple pie with thyme ice cream. Read the full review.

Old fashioned applies to more than a delicious cocktail at Rockwood.

Rockwood Room (Houston)
Michael De Maggi's Rockwood Room strives to reinvent classic cuisine and cocktails from the post-WWII days when dinner began with a Manhattan and a plate of oysters Rockefeller. This sleek, little restaurant in the Tanglewood area doesn't rely on just being retro. Dei Maggi -- who made his mark at Max's Wine Dive -- uses local ingredients and throws in creative flourishes, such as infusing the Texas Kobe burger with butter, glazing his fried chicken with habañero honey, and serving a chipotle dipping sauce with his thick-cut onion rings. Plenty of big steaks and Gulf Coast seafood are on the menu as well as Granny's rigatoni and meatballs. And, yes, they serve oysters "Rockwoodfeller" tinged with applewood bacon and Parmigiano. Read the full review.

Toulouse Petit (Seattle)
A dramatic New Orleans-inspired brasserie, Toulouse Petit celebrates Creole, Cajun and French cuisines. At night, the seductive room glimmers with hundreds of candles; during the day it feels like a quirky art project. The ambitious menu spotlights New Orleans classics such as spicy, rich jambalaya; authentic gumbo; blackened red fish; and crawfish etouffée. Big Easy accompaniments include homemade charcuterie (terrines, rillettes, sausage), bistro salads, soups, poultry prepared four ways -- such as a black pepper-molasses half chicken with wilted garlic mustard greens -- and fresh seafood like Gulf shrimp and bayou crawfish, which are delivered daily. Libations range from classic Southern cocktails to a thoughtful wine selection. Read the full review.

French fusion pioneer Pierre Gagnaire's Twist.

Twist by Pierre Gagnaire
(Las Vegas)
The Mandarin Oriental's twenty-third floor sets the stage for a dining experience that avoids the bells and whistles of many Las Vegas restaurants. An intimate design mixes elegant white cracked-eggshell walls and scattered, suspended pearls of illuminated bulbs while 20-feet-high windows overlook the city skyline. Twist is chef Pierre Gagnaire's (a French fusion pioneer) first venture in the U.S. Spot-on presentation includes artfully plated canapés and a synchronized waitstaff. Opt for the tasting menu -- though items are also available à la carte. Dishes reveal themselves in waves of textures and tastes. Such may be the case with "sea and earth": Santa Barbara prawns, spicy grapefruit syrup and ginger potato salad, and poached duck foie gras, scallop mousseline and baby greens. Read the full review.