I spent a day at the best beach in the US. It's great, but I'd prefer to go to a different one in the same state.

Locals and tourists all flock to Hapuna Beach, which has been praised by the likes of Dr. Beach, Travel and Leisure, and Condé Nast Traveler.

Though the locale received a recent accolade from Tripadvisor, which named it the No. 1 beach in the US and No. 13 in the world for 2022.

The largest of the Big Island's white-sand beaches, this half-mile oceanfront oasis is a playground for beachgoers of all ages.

Known for its ideal conditions to sunbathe, go boogie boarding, toss a ball, have a picnic, and more, it has plenty of opportunities for fun beach activities.

So I decided to check out the spot for myself. From the parking to the views, here's what the entire experience was like:

I inadvertently booked my flight on a 10-seater commuter plane.

The 40-minute flight took off from a terminal I didn't even know existed at the island's main airport — this was an experience in and of itself.

It was my first time using Turo, a personal car-sharing service, and the owner had never rented out their vehicle before. 

But they met me right at the commuter terminal and handed me the keys, then I hit the road.

Island Gourmet Markets has an extensive selection of local goodies, such as malasadas and mochi from the bakery, sushi burritos from a build-your-own station, and handcrafted beverages.

I opted for a lunch plate from the deli and a Hawaii-grown, mango-hibiscus tea.

The store also sells souvenirs, like Hawaiian sea salt and engraved cutting boards.

I saw the state-recreation-area sign before I could catch a glimpse of the beach, but was so excited that I pulled over to snap a quick picture at the entrance.

I tried the lower lot first, figuring it was worth a shot but also that I might have trouble finding parking on a Friday afternoon.

Though I had no problems and parked fairly close to the walkway that led down to the beach.

Since the beach is part of a state park, parking and entry respectively cost $10 per vehicle and $5 per person for nonresidents. There are no fees for locals.

The sign seemed to be made by local students in partnership with conservation organizations, like Keep Puako Beautiful, Hawaii Wildlife Fund, and Surfrider Foundation, among others.

I originally considered taking my food down to the beach but figured it was less risky to eat at a table.

So I chose a spot that was shady and centrally located, that way I could continue to watch the activity on and around the beach.

While traveling, I try to order unique dishes, such as the dynamite mahi-mahi from the deli. 

Though the panko-crusted fish was a bit dry — it likely would've been better if I had eaten it sooner and asked for more dynamite sauce. I absolutely hate wasting food, but I couldn't get myself to finish both extra-large scoops of rice.

Additionally, a swarm of flies immediately came for my food, so perhaps eating down on the sand was the move after all.

That said, the mango-hibiscus tea was delicious and my favorite part of the meal.

Though the statistic that says falling coconuts kill more people than sharks per year has murky credibility, the caution tape made it clear that these trees produce particularly precarious fruit.

There was also an active beehive in a different tree along the beach walkway.

Many travel websites recommend bringing an umbrella for extra sun protection, but the tall rock formations on the south side of the beach provided plenty of shade in the late afternoon.

The sand also wasn't as hot as I expected.

Before getting acquainted with the area, I put on a fresh layer of sunscreen. Then I walked down to the shore and tested the water, which was perfectly warm.

Since I could see the entire stretch of beach, I decided to do some people-watching.

There was a range of people on the beach, from children to elderly folks, plus families, couples, and groups of friends.

There were also sunbathers, volleyball and football players, and an overwhelming amount of boogie boarders.

Many people were walking back-and-forth along the beach, which is over half-a-mile long, or about a 10-minute stroll one way.

If you have little ones or are simply more comfortable being at the beach with a lifeguard on duty, I would suggest coming here earlier in the day.

When I was there, they were getting ready to leave at around 4:45 p.m.

There is still space for regular visitors to enjoy this end of the beach, but they would have to book a night at The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort to utilize the amenities.

The water seemed a little less inviting on this end since not as many people were in it.

There were also some tide pools (though I didn't spot any sea creatures), as well as an entrance to the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, a 175-mile network of culturally and historically significant walkways.

Though I wasn't wearing the proper footwear to traverse the trails.

The ocean was warm and extremely shallow, with small, yet fun waves that were great for people of all ages to play in.

There is apparently good snorkeling here, but you have to go a bit further out to reach clear water, which I wasn't comfortable doing knowing the lifeguards weren't on duty. 

After one set of waves, I went back to the shore and laid out in the sun for a bit — the sand made it feel like I was resting on a peaceful, fluffy cloud.

Earlier, a resort employee told me that anyone over the age of 21 could purchase a drink from the bar at Naupaka Beach Grill, the resort's casual poolside restaurant.

So once I got back, I ordered the cocktail the employee recommend, the Coconut Wireless, a piña colada garnished with crushed macadamia nuts, mint, and an edible orchid.

The eatery also hosts live music every day from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

I was taking a lot of pictures, as were most people who were on the beach at this time.

I enjoyed watching the sunset in this world-renowned setting.

The colors of the sky began to change from warm oranges and pinks to cool blues and purples. So naturally, I had to take some final photos to capture the beautiful twilight hour.

Hapuna Beach is rated one of the best beaches in the world for a reason, as it's suitable for all ages and has plenty of room for various activities. There truly is something for everyone.

That said, I don't recommend it to those who prefer tranquil beaches with minuscule waves.

Considering the expenses and travel stress, I'd much rather stay on Maui and go somewhere like Kaanapali Beach, which was rated No. 17 on Tripadvisor's same list of the best beaches in America. 

This beach also features gorgeous white sand, as well as a variety of activities like parasailing, boat excursions, cliff jumping, snorkeling, bodysurfing, and much more. There are also places to shop and dine at Whalers Village.

Even though it has a lot more tourist activity since it's located in front of many condos and resorts, the beach is so expansive that you're practically guaranteed to find a good spot.

Overall, there are more opportunities for adventures of all kinds, and it's a convenient 15-minute drive from my home.