The Sandpearl in Clearwater Beach. Photograph via Conde Nast Traveler

The Sandpearl in Clearwater Beach. Photograph via Conde Nast Traveler Close

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The Sandpearl in Clearwater Beach. Photograph via Conde Nast Traveler

Dear Wendy,

Where is the best place to go in the U.S. for true white sand beaches? If there's an all-inclusive resort there, even better. Thanks,

Linda G.

The beaches of Floridas Gulf Coastparticularly the Panhandle (such as Pensacola Beach and Panama City Beach) and the southwest coast (such as Sanibel Island and the Florida Keys)have the whitest sand in the U.S. Thats because theres only one mineral in the sand there: pure white quartz crystal. The prettiest of these white-sand beaches, according to Stephen Leatherman (Dr. Beach), is Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota. There arent too many first-rate all-inclusives on these beaches, though; those tend to be in the Caribbean.

Personally, I like The Sandpearl in Clearwater Beacha strand so white and soft that youd swear youre walking on baby powder. (It's one of my favorite family-friendly resorts.) Its not all-inclusive, but the total youll spend, including airfare, is likely no more than what youd spend for a Caribbean all-inclusive vacation anyway.

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