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.

Anyone living in New York or New Jersey will probably tell you that THE best beach is Cape May on the Jersey Cape. Visit, and you'll swear you're in beach heaven.

Cape May is on a peninsula at the southern tip of New Jersey, between the Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. It has more than just great beaches: it has an historic lighthouse, gorgeous Victorian Bed and Breakfasts (most of them on the National Register of Historic Places), an assortment of different museums, a free zoo, wildlife sanctuaries, whale-watching trips, and restaurants for every budget. So grab a tote, throw in your sunscreen, a towel, some glamorous sunglasses, water, magazines or books, and a snack, and head to the beach. Choose a swimsuit like this pineapple print one-piece halter from Tommy Bahama, and protect your toes from hot sand with flip-flops by Simple Green Toe. They look great, and with organic cotton and a piece of recycled tire for the outer edge, you're saving the environment too.

The city beaches of Cape May require a beach badge; the 2009 prices are $25 for the season, $13 for a week, $5 for a day, and $10 for a weekend, but the beach at Cape May State Park is absolutely free, so take your pick. The city beaches do have beach umbrellas and chairs to rent, if that's an issue, and both city and park beaches are wheelchair accessible.

One of the most famous landmarks of Cape May is the Cape May Point Lighthouse, inside the park. For a small fee, you can climb 199 steps to the top and see a phenomenal view of the entire peninsula and 30 miles of white beaches. If you decide to climb up, trade the flip-flops for a sturdier shoe like these darlings from Snipe, and throw on some comfy crop pants and a cool light top.

The park and the beaches close at night, so be ready to throw your gear in your bag and head for home or a B&B when the sun starts to set.

You may have heard of Pass-a-Grille when reading about St. Pete's beach in Florida. But perhaps against my better judgment, I'm going to let you know more about this little-known Florida beach secret. It's truly a little piece of paradise not far from some of Florida's most popular Gulf Coast beaches.

What makes Pass-A-Grille so special? Simple. Authenticity. For starters, it's a National Historic District, not something many beach communities can claim. In Pass-A-Grille, towering beach condos are traded for cozy beach bungalows. Walk the streets of Pass-A-Grille, and no matter where you are, the Gulf and the Intercoastal are a block away. You can't help but imagine you are back in Florida's Resort boom of the '20s, and when you look across the street at the sea oats on the sand dunes, you'll be sure you've been transported to a simpler time.

A vacation, or just an afternoon, at Pass-A-Grille really is simple. With ample parking right by the sand, it's easy to grab your gear and go spend some quality time with the dolphins and the seagulls. Several restaurants and a beach café are within walking distance, so you can easily spend your whole day here.

Day turns to night rather slowly at Pass-A-Grille, but you don't want to miss a minute of the breathtaking sunset. Many beachgoers climb up the stairs of the Hurricane Restaurant to watch the sunset from the rooftop bar. Slip on some beach sandals and a cover-up that doubles as a dress and you're ready to go for beach-style nightlife.

If you're heading to St. Pete's Beach in Florida, it's not far to get to Pass-A-Grille instead and the dividing line is the historic Don Cesar Hotel. Standing like a pink castle against the white sand of the Gulf Coast, you really can't miss it. In front of the Don, don't make that right turn for St. Pete's Beach; instead, turn left and go somewhere beautiful and unique. You'll be glad you did.