This is one of the rare beach parks in Hawaii where the facilities almost outshine the beach. In front of the Hilton Garden Inn Kauai Wailua Bay, Lydgate Beach ★ offers two rock-walled ponds for safe swimming and snorkeling. But many families also gravitate to the 58-acre, half-mile-long park for the immense Kamalani Playground, a sprawling wooden fantasy fortress decorated with ocean-themed ceramics. Stroller pushers, joggers, and cyclists also pick up the 2.5-mile southern leg of the Ke Ala Hele Makalae coastal path here; Lydgate’s northern end is next to Hikinaakala Heiau, part of Wailua River State Park (below). Facilities include picnic tables, restrooms, showers, pavilions, and campgrounds.