Historic Beaches From Movies You Can Visit This Summer
Some of the most iconic movie scenes have been filmed on beaches, and whether it’s a rocky coast in Oregon or a swath of pristine white sand in Hawaii, thousands of tourists flock to these cinematic destinations every year, and you can, too!
Crystal Cove State Park, Newport Beach, CA
Fans of 1980s melodramas will remember the iconic beach from the tearjerker Beaches, starring Bette Midler as a boisterous musician and Barbara Hershey as a successful lawyer. Even as they move to different coasts, it’s the beach that unifies them, the same way it did when they were children. Just be sure to pack a few tissues for this trip—it might harken back memories to the highly emotional film!
Cannon Beach, OR
The ‘80s brought us many films involving rag-tag groups of childhood friends embarking on adventures, but none may be as iconic as The Goonies. And the film’s famous ending, as the pirate ship slowly drifts into view, was filmed at the misty Pacific Coast’s Cannon Beach.
Joseph Sylvia State Beach, Martha’s Vineyard, MA
You might not think people would be flocking to a beach that featured one of the most infamous ocean-dwelling villains of all time, but enthusiasts of the movie Jaws pay homage to the film in big numbers at various Martha’s Vineyard beaches—including the famed bridge where “Jaws” swims into the pond and the spot where one unlucky swimmer was pulled from his raft.
Halona Cove, Oahu, HI
Perhaps the most iconic of all movie beach scenes, the beautiful Halona Cove on the island of Oahu is also known as “Eternity Beach” for its role as the filming location for 1953’s From Here to Eternity.
Tybee Island, GA
Most of author Nicholas Sparks’s beloved film adaptations take place on or near a beach, so it’s no surprise that his 2010 hit The Last Song was filmed on Georgia’s charming Tybee Island. The island, which is just a short drive outside of Savannah, is also popular for wide beaches and abundant wildlife.