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recreational seashores and national parks NC, ME, FL
snorkeling FL, GA, SC
diving (isn't this the same thing as snorkeling?)
good seafood FL, MA, ME
upscale dining FL, MA, NY
diners/cheap eats NJ, FL, SC
Are there any states that check all/most of the boxes?
Overall: 1. FL (27 pts). Definitely the most well-rounded of the bunch, and the state is obviously built to live for beach culture. Unfortunately, FL is pretty much busy year-round and doesn't get the the seasonal lull like it used to, except in late summer/early fall during the peak of hurricane season.
2. NJ (11 pts.) If you love the classic, old-school walkable beach community with that "state fair" vibe, you can't beat the Jersey Shore. Then places like Avalon/Stone Harbor prove that their are some upscale pockets mixed in among the riff-raff. Note that since entertainment was missing, Atlantic City's huge presence gives it a nice runner-up spot overall for NJ.
3. MA (9 pts.) Massachusetts definitely scores highly in the historic department through all its quaint towns along the Cape, islands, and north shore, and great dining/seafood also make it a nice place to visit in season. It's a bit weak in the nightlife/party department though.
4. NC (8 pts.) If you like quietness and seclusion, North Carolina is definitely for you. Its a very relaxing, pleasant drive and nice to be if you're looking for that beach experience without too much commercial development. I've never been there since those beaches seem boring in terms of cultural activities, with the possible exception of New Hanover County, and its too bad a town like New Bern is across the sound. Brunswick County (between New Hanover and the SC line) easily could support larger, more vibrant beach communities.
5. SC (6 pts.) South Carolina is weird in terms of its development. The Grand Strand feels like a more downscale version FL combined with a slice of Ocean City, MD, which can seem cheesy, but there are some nice quieter pockets near Murrell's Inlet, the beaches near Charleston for history, and upscale yet secluded Hilton Head. I think of it as good, but not quite great.
FL, NC, SC, GA. Big drop off after that. We lived on Cape Cod, MA for a year and a half. The towns were pretty, but didn't care for the beaches at all. Very hard to access, sand too gritty, very little wave action, the most expensive parking of any beach areas I've been to on the east coast, chilly ocean water, most beaches are short and narrow. Incredibly overrated, IMO.
beautiful beaches - for photos
great beaches - for swimming: FL NC SC
quiet beach towns: FL ME MA
party beach towns FL NJ SC
Victorian/old school/historic beach towns (aka like Cape May or Saint Augustine) MA FL NJ
family attractions (ferris wheels, funnel cake, boardwalks, arcades)
upscale beach towns MA FL NY
recreational seashores and national parks FL NC ME
snorkeling FL ?
diving FL
good seafood FL MA ME
upscale dining FL MA NY
diners/cheap eats FL NJ SC
I'd guess that Florida would be tops. But NY is pretty good too. From the upscale Hamptons to crowded Coney Island, there is an Atlantic Ocean or Long Island Sound beach community to fit every taste and every pocketbook. (And that's not including the upstate lakes.) And there are even more choices if you include the Jersey Shore, where a lot of New Yorkers (as well as Philly people) choose to go during the hot weather. And no, most of the Jersey Shore is nothing like the old TV show Jersey Shore.
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