Mention the word "vacation" or "weekend", and the world and its grandma collectively shrieks, "the beach!". And why not? After all, what's not to love about a beach? The light, cool breeze, the soft sand, the waves that kiss the feet... yes, what's not to love about the beach. Sure, there are some of us who find their moments of solace in the mountains, but then trekking/driving up there requires a certain amount of hard work, and our inherent laziness to conveniently takes over, urging us to simply go find a beach instead. So, the beach is where we are at the moment, and not surprisingly, so are half a gazillion others. There are people on the shore, there are people in the sea, there are people in the shacks, and there are people as far as the eye can see. If this seems like a familiar sight, there are high chances of you being at one of the following beaches. OC, as it is also known as, is a phenomenally popular beach town on the Atlantic coast. The summer is obviously the best time to be here, and it is estimated that a whopping 8 million people visit Ocean City every year. With its warm, subtropical climate, Myrtle Beach is known to welcome around 14 million visitors from spring to fall every year, with the number of visitors peaking every July. Being in the proximity of New York and Philadelphia, Belmar is a popular destination for sunbathing, fishing, surfing and swimming. Weekends, summers, weekends in summer, you're bound to find the crowds here. Laguna Beach is home to the wealthier lot of residents, but this stretch of paradise on the Pacific coast gets a lot of visitors every summer. It basically has everything you'd want from a beach - sun, surf, and sand, not to mention the super-luxurious resorts to stay at. Bodyboarding, beach volleyball, and surfing are some of the activities that bring the crowds down here to Imperial Beach, which is the most southern beach city on the West coast of the US. The resort city of Miami Beach has lots of attractions on offer for visitors, but most of them prefer flocking to where else, but the beaches, of course. North Beach, Mid-Beach, and South Beach make up Miami Beach's ocean side attractions. 23 miles of beautiful white sand awaits you at Daytona Beach. Part of their coast is favored by car racing enthusiasts, while the rest is left for the rest to enjoy. Coney Island Beach, a 3-mile stretch of sand and sea is a favored destination of New Yorkers, offering respite from the manic mayhem of the city. No wonder then, that this beach is choc-a-block with people throughout summer. Probably the most famous beach known to humankind, Copacabana is where the world comes to p-a-r-t-y. Vibrant beach culture, beautiful people, and perfect weather is what brings the crowds to Copacabana. As Copacabana's neighbor, Ipanema Beach has its own share of distinct attractions and fans. Surfers and sun worshipers flock here, which is often referred to as the world's sexiest beach. Máncora is a jewel on the Peruvian coastline. It is also considered to be a surfer's paradise. Great weather, gorgeous turquoise beach, and easy accessibility make this a popular destination. Montañita's sudden emergence as a beach destination has surprised many. Besides the obvious weather and waves, Montañita's relaxed attitude towards the use of marijuana acts as a major draw for multicultural tourists, and is creating the reputation of being a shadow of Amsterdam. Reñaca Beach, which is located in the Valparaíso Region of Chile attracts a large number of surfers, along with the regular beach goers every season. Punta del Este has a mild oceanic climate, with pleasant summers and cool winters. Besides the obvious beauty of the region, people come to Punta del Este to indulge in nautical sports and fishing. The beaches of this town are frequented by tourists and locals alike. People coming here have a myriad list of activities to engage in, besides surfing and bodyboarding. Parasailing, whale watching, and bird watching are some of the other attractions that bring people to Punta Carnero. Surfing and snorkeling are the main activities that people indulge in, here at Hikkaduwa. Also, many tourists choose to dive in the clear waters to view the gorgeous corals. It is also very popular with board-surfers Leave the sun, surf, and sand aside, if there is one reason why Westerners flock to Haad Rin is because of the Full Moon parties. Great music, lots of booze, and drugs are a staple at these parties. Being one of the premier beach destinations in Asia, Phuket needs no introduction. Tourists from all over the world come here to enjoy the beaches, and other unmentionables as well. Anjuna came on to the world map as a hippie heartland in the seventies. It may not be the best beach in Goa, but it certainly is one of the most happening due to its full moon and black moon parties. Azure waters and white sand make up the Saud Beach, located in the resort town of Pagudpud. While it may not be as crowded as Phuket, the scenic beauty is a definite attraction for tourists. Dalian is a relatively young city in China, but is steadily gaining popularity as a favored beach destination for both, locals and tourists alike, and is often listed as one of the most crowded beaches in the world. Bournemouth, located on the southern coast of England is a resort town with a sizable population. In the summer months, it sees a surge in the number of visitors who come here to enjoy beach-side activities like windsurfing and kitesurfing. No one needs a reason to come to Ibiza, they just need the means to come here. Beach lovers and party lovers flock to this destination every year in large numbers. Praia da Luz attracts a considerable number of tourists from Europe, predominantly from the British Isles, Ireland, France and Germany, who come here to bask in the glorious sunshine and enjoy the local flavors. Brighton is not too far from London, which makes it a popular seaside getaway. Beach sports are quite popular here, and it also has a reserved nudist area. St-Tropez has been a haunt for the rich and famous all over the world. Located on the French Riviera, the beach offers spectacular views of the beautiful Mediterranean Sea, and is also a clothing-optional beach. Durrës is a beautiful coastal town on the Adriatic shoreline, and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Albania, with an estimated 60,000 visitors every year, comprising locals and foreigners. Among Spain's various seaside attractions, Samil Beach in the north-west is a big hit with locals and tourists. This area has the regular seaside activities on offer, along with its beautiful promenade. Being at any of these beaches is sure to make you wonder, is there anything like a tranquil beach left in the world? Tough to answer that, my friend. Because, with the growing popularity of social media, it only takes a few seconds to click and upload a picture of a serene beach, and the aforementioned world-and-its-grandma turns up right there with their sunscreens and beach towels.