Florida's Gold Coast has some of the most beautiful beaches in the state, and some of the best shopping, too. If you're taking A1A south along the east coast, make sure you go past Jupiter Inlet, one of Florida's lines of demarcation. This one has nothing to do with the sand, and everything to do with the water. North of Jupiter Inlet, the Gulf Stream is 10 to 15 miles off-shore; south, it's only 2 to 3 miles from the beach. Not only does that mean warmer water and weather, it also means clear blue-green water. But where in Palm Beach County should a beach-goer go?

The county bought up a lot of beach, making it free and accessible to the public, and put in amenities like picnic tables, restrooms and lifeguards. If you're too close to the city, you might just get sucked inland - which you'll want to avoid if you hate traffic, because it's a mess here. Try heading down to Juno, where you can enjoy both Juno Beach Park and Loggerhead Park.

Juno Beach has a 300 foot beach with lifeguards, showers and picnic shelters. It also has a 990 foot fishing pier with a bait shop and a snack bar. It's a great place to enjoy warm shallow water, while the fishing is far from the beach. Carry your gear in a beach-to-town tote like the Spree 2 from Element. Dress your feet for the beach in these darling Sandi Thong Sandals from Gabriella Rocha.

If you get tired of Juno Beach, just down the road is Loggerhead Park. Along with a developed 900 foot beach with lifeguards and picnic facilities that include grills, it has nature trails and a marine life center where you can meet the famous loggerhead turtles of the area. If it's possible to have enough beach time, slip into this cute sundress from Hype and head into Palm Beach for some serious shopping.

Palm Beach County has everything from Shakespeare by the Sea to chi-chi boutiques to stretches of soft sand and whatever you're looking for, you'll find it here.

If you're heading to Maui this fall or winter, you know you're going to be hitting a beach. The beaches in Maui range from the famous black sand (volcanic ash) to perfect white sand, and even a red sand beach. They can also be full of tourists, since many of them sit in front of resorts or rows of timeshare condos and bungalows. For a change of pace, and just maybe a little space and privacy, don't hit the Big Beach. Choose Po'olenalena instead.

Pronounced "po-oh-leba-lena," Po'olenalena is a half-mile curve of soft sand with lava outcroppings at each end. It's tucked away between the South Maui resorts and the Makena Big Beach. It's better known by locals than tourists, so it's quiet. This little piece of paradise in Paradise is great for bathing or playing, with water over a sandy bottom for swimming, volcanic and coral reefs for some of the best snorkeling in Hawaii, and perfect waves for surfing or bodyboarding. If you're snorkeling, remember you don't want to step on the reefs, and don't want to touch the water life! It's all fragile.

There is paved parking at both ends of the beach, and there are porta-potties and showers. There isn't a life guard on duty, so be sure to swim or snorkel with a buddy, and if you bring your kids, keep a close eye on them. Because of the quiet, the view of sister islands, and the gorgeousness of the setting, Po'olenalena is slowly becoming a popular wedding spot. But don't worry, there's plenty of room for beach-goers!

In Hawaii, all beaches, including Po'olenalena are free and open to the public, even those right in front of hotels or resorts, so don't worry about paying an entry fee. Take a beach tote like this one by Gravis, that's both pretty and practical, and fill it with everything you need for the day. Slip on this Sexylicious One Piece from Body Glove Smoothies and don't worry, from behind, they'll think it's a bikini! Keep your feet cool in these Chaco Flips from EcoTread, and you're set for the perfect beach day.

If you've been avoiding the Mississippi Gulf Coast since Hurricane Katrina, well, it's ready for visitors, and it's time you went back. Mississippi doesn't have a long coastline, but that coast is 26 miles of soft white sand, and the communities and beaches have bounced back from Katrina just like they did from Hurricane Camille in 1969.

The entire 26 miles along U.S. Highway 90, also called "Beach Boulevard," offers breath-takingly lovely (and photogenic) views of the Gulf and barrier islands, and any spot you choose has wonderful sand. This week's beach is the section along the towns of Long Beach and Pass Christian (that's pronounced "kris-tee-AN" by the locals), just west of Biloxi. It's been a restful vacation spot to six U.S. Presidents, including Teddy Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson, and a resort destination since before the Civil War.

The town of Pass Christian (aka the Pass) is definitely a southern town, filled with southern charm and hospitality, as well as an eclectic and historic downtown with a selection of shops, restaurants, and grocers providing anything you need. The beach offers restrooms and acres of powdered sugar sand. If you drive through town and see the antebellum West-Indies style mansions and Georgian revival homes, and the tranquil beaches that are some of the most romantic and quiet in Mississippi, you'll understand some of the area's history. Sailing buffs should know that Pass Christian is home to the first yacht club (founded in 1849) in the south, and the second in the entire U.S. If you'd rather surf, take the ferry out to Ship Island.

Fill this bright and beachy O'Neill tote with everything you may need for your day at the beach. Be sure to include this Tommy Bahama Island Princess beach towel, an ample 70 inches by 40 inches, this flirty FP Beach Pele ruffled cover-up for day's end, and a good supply of sunscreen, because the sun gets pretty intense on that white sand. Bring flip-flops and shades, and a good book, because all you'll want to do is lie there and soak up the sun.

The carefree days of Spring and summer are finally here, which means it's high time you cleared off your weekend schedule for a few days in the great outdoors. The warmer months ahead are a great time to hit the hiking trails, relax on the beach or just brush up on your climbing skills. If you're just hanging out at a campsite or relaxing on the beach, you'll need some comfortable, casual clothes for the occasion, and a versatile tunic dress definitely fits the bill for your days of relaxation.

The Lole Calm Tunic Dress is a great match for ladies with all body types because of its free-flowing, flattering feminine cut. The dress is made with a supersoft rib knit material, and the classic v-neck design is coupled with a drawstring closure for a fun and sassy look. This dress is also designed with raw-edge seams and a rib knit waistline that add a few extra curves in just the right places. A side-slit detailing around the hem provide a more relaxed fit, so you don't have to worry about snags and tears when you're doing some light hiking. You'll also find two large drop-in patch pockets in front; a convenient place to store chapstick, sunblock and other travel essentials.

The soft cotton spandex blend of stretch French Terry materials also make this a super-versatile piece for long trips. The dress dries easily, and you can even hand wash it with a quick soak when you're on the go. If you do have access to a washing machine on your trails, you can machine wash it cold and hang it dry to protect its shape. It's available in Moonlight (black), Watermelon (pink) and White. Get one in every color to round out the warm-season wardrobe!

The tunic dress is one of the season's must-haves, especially if you're hitting the camping trails or nature hikes this season. You can pair it with a pair of flats or beach sandals when you hit the boardwalk, and the loose fit of the Lole makes for a great swimsuit cover up for your all-day beach travels.

In the Tampa area? If you haven't been to Honeymoon Island State Park, you're in the minority; it was Florida's most visited beach in 2007. A barrier island, it's connected to the mainland by the Dunedin Causeway, and boasts four miles of tempting beaches.

Honeymoon Island also has a virgin slash pine forest, seagrass beds, sand dunes, mangrove swamps, and tidal flats. It's home to 62 species of birds, and a variety of wildlife. In May of 2007, a Nature Center opened, with exhibits, hands-on displays and a viewing deck to view the entire island.

Another temptation is the only dog beach in the state of Florida, a dog-lover's paradise. Just keep your dog leashed the whole time, and clean up after him so that others can enjoy the beach too! On Honeymoon Island, there are several nature trails, and the north end of the island has the one of the best shelling areas in the region. It's a great fishing spot; fish include tarpon, snook, flounder, trout and more.

If it's sun and fun you want, head for the beaches. Most are rather narrow except for one at the southern end. That area is popular for weddings and parties. You can reserve areas in advance at the park entry point. Know before you go: the admission is $5 for up to 8 people per car, and $3 for a single occupant. There's a sunset fee of $3.00 per vehicle starting one hour before sunset. If you're planning an event there, the pavilion rental fee is $32.10. The state park and three parking areas are open year round, with hours varying by season and some beaches are closed part of the year to protect nesting shore birds.

Beach gear is a must. Whether you wear flip-flops on the sand, or sturdier sandals for hiking the trails, keep your feet cool. Ladies, sport a new swimsuit in this popular, and populated, park. Bring the rest of your gear in a waterproof bag like this one by SealLines that comes in three sizes, or use a pack with an insulated cooler pocket. Hungry? Honeymoon Island offers a concession area where you can find drinks and snacks, as well as restrooms, showers and picnic areas. Bring your own sunscreen.

Whether you want a solitary day of bird-watching or fishing, or a family beach day, you'll find the perfect beach this week at Honeymoon Island.

When the day's activities call for layering and lightweight, versatile pieces of clothing, a pair of convertible pants can help you get through the day's itinerary comfortably. These pants reduce the need to pack extra clothing for your trip because they can keep you warm and dry as a pair of trousers, and cool and comfortable as a pair of capris. Convertible capris are great for Spring and summer excursions in the backwoods, or even when you're hitting the beach for the day. They're a lightweight basic for any outdoor wardrobe, and the conversion process takes only a few seconds; just unzip and store the extra material in your backpack and you're ready to go.

Try on a pair of Kuhl Forester Convertible Capris to put these versatile pants to the test. The fitted waistband and adjustable fit side cinches make for a perfect fit for almost any body type, and the roomy pockets and extra wide belt loops give you plenty of options for carrying extra accessories. These straight-leg pants have a zipper embedded right below the knee, so you can just unzip in seconds to convert them into a pair of comfortable capris.

The pants are also designed for maximum range of motion; whether you're heading out on a climbing adventure, relaxing under the sun or trekking across a trail, you can move fluidly and easily. The two front curve hand pockets around the hips add a flattering touch to the design, and the curved back yoke provides some extra 'give' for those extra challenging trails.

Convertible pants made with lightweight materials will also keep you cool and comfortable when temperatures rise. You'll need the extra coverage of a pant when you're trekking through a rainforest or exploring rough territory, but you won't be weighed down when the pants are made with a light nylon and cotton blend. They can be worn with your favorite tee, a lightweight sweatshirt and any windbreaker or jacket. Convertible pants and capris are best paired up with a mules, clogs or sandals to make a complete outdoor ensemble that's high on comfort and versatility.