Beach query

I'm taking Monday off specifically to go to the beach. Anyone have suggestions on which one to go to?

My parameters include: I want to also go shopping for my mythic sundress, so I'm hoping there's some boardwalk, but not necessarily as huge as Hampton. Also, I don't expect to actually swim. That would involve submersing my whole body in cold, murky, salty water. Ew. I'm much more into the sketch and read, build sandcastles, and walk next to the water looking for shells and cool rocks sort of thing.