• photo by ken Malcomson
• Moonstone Beach

First, let us reassure the faithful: Your favorites, “the naked beach” (College Cove, in this case, although there were mentions of Baker) and Luffenholtz (the prettier sister) were contenders. Really. It’s just that so many more voted for their far more accessible next-door neighbor: Moonstone Beach.

 What’s not to adore? There’s room by the ceremonial rock pile for assembled wedding guests, who can then traipse up to Merryman’s Beach House for the party part. There’s a drippy troll cave (wasn’t that a drippy troll we saw in there?). There’s the Little River, opening its searching, sand-gobbling, ruffled maw to the ocean. And there’s the ever-joyful parade of humanity and doggity -- oh, for the flame-juggling, frisbee-chomping, wave-skimming, river-daring, rock-grappling, sun-seeking, surf-bouncing, Camel-worshipping, sand-snuggling, summer-preserving love of it all!

 Most homesick answer: “None -- all pale compared to Florida.”

 Most adventurous answer: “Gun club trail in Manila.”

 -- Heidi Walters

The Breakdown: Moonstone Beach 31.8%, College Cove 9.8%, Luffenholtz 8.5%, Trinidad State Beach 8.1%, Clam Beach 6.3%, Voter Turnout: 10th.