Grab your bathing suit and sarong and get wrapped up in the stunning splendor of serene Asian sun and sand in Vietnam. Bai Dai Beach, on the mountainous island of Phu Quoc, has long lain under the beach bum radar due by and large to border disputes between Cambodia and Vietnam. But with loosened restrictions, travelers can now gain full-access passes to silent golden sands that glimmer beneath a hot sun, and bath in pristine waters that are bound to coat mind, body and soul with transformative tranquility. And if after a few days of deep solitude you feel compelled to re-connect (ever so slightly) to the civilized world, check out the equally striking beaches of Nha Trang and treat yourself to a touch of luxury, Vietnamese-style, at the Evason Ana Mandara Resort & Six Senses Spa.
Whoever started the rumor that California’s best beaches are only found in the sunny southern half of the state apparently missed the memo on Northern California’s sandy glory (or was trying—quite effectively—to keep hidden a sublime secret). Thirty miles north of the hustle and bustle of San Francisco lays the soundless Point Reyes National Seashore, waiting patiently to be discovered. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, take the five-mile walk on the path to paradise, leading you to the deserted Wildcat Beach. Not only will you have first dibs on towel space, but you’ll also experience the rare delight of seeing your lone footsteps trace a solitary path through the golden sand. Strip down and chill out to the faint lullaby of crashing waves in the supreme seclusion of this hidden gem pocketed in the shadow of the city by the bay.
