People. Shops. Stores. Restaurants. And more hotels and resorts than you can get in a few dozen rolls of film. The crescent-shaped Waikiki Beach is actually make up of many smaller beaches and stretches about 2.5 miles from the Hilton Hawaiian Village all the way to Diamond Head.

The whole of Waikiki Beach is open to the public, as are most beaches in Hawaii (some military beach areas are closed). Major hotels, resorts and landmarks along the beachfront include:

Sheraton Waikiki – one of the largest hotels in Waikiki, the Sheraton is home to the Hano Hano Room on the 30th floor (formerly host to a local radio show on KSSK; they’re now broadcasting from ritzy restaurant John Dominis). The sunsets from the Sheraton are spectacular and the views are very good; either up the coast toward Diamond Head, or down the coast toward Honolulu Harbor.

The Pink Palace. The Royal Hawaiian Hotel – This is a easily seen from either beach or airplane. The Pink Palace is a pocket of antique luxury and tucked in right beside the Sheraton Waikiki, and right behind the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center.

Sheraton Moana Surfrider – One of Waikiki’s oldest hotels, the quaint Moana remains the host for many island weddings and receptions. Clientele tend to be somewhat older. The Moana is also the oldest hotel and is situated right on the beach.

Kuhio Beach – Fronting the twin towers of the Hyatt Regency Hotel is a statue of King Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole. The sand is smooth and firm. Many tourists and a few locals learned to surf on the shallow shores of Kuhio Beach.

St. Augustine Church – Petite but unmistakable is the outline of the Catholic Churche’s lone property on Waikiki Beach.

Honolulu Zoo – The zoo is nestled just back from Queen’s Surf (another of the many ‘local’ beaches which make up Waikiki Beach. Honolulu Zoo marks the end of the major hotels and is situated to the left of Kalakaua Avenue and Kapiolani Park.

Chickens, and Tourists, and Bears, Oh My!

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