Most Beautiful

Article By Jayne Clark via USA TODAY.

The votes are tallied and 30 U.S. towns — six in each of five categories— have been selected in the Best of the Road contest, sponsored by USA TODAY and Rand McNally.

Popular vote and editors’ choices winnowed the 600-plus nominated locales to 30. On June 23, five teams of travelers will hit the road from New York City, landing in Los Angeles on July 15. Along the way, each team will visit six towns in an assigned category — most beautiful, most patriotic, friendliest, most fun and best for food — as well as points of interest en route.

Follow their three-week adventure via videos, photos and updates at bestoftheroad.com. At the end, each team will choose the No. 1 town in each of their respective categories (to be announced July 22). The towns will be highlighted on the Rand McNally website and in the 2013 Rand McNally Road Atlas, as well as on USA TODAY’s Travel site.

The winning team takes home $10,000 in prize money.

The top choices in each category and excerpted voter comments:

• Pacifica, Calif. “…a great combination of surf and hills.”
• Coral Gables, Fla. “…One of the best places in South Florida. World class restaurants, shopping, historic sites, and homes.”
• Baker City, Ore. “We have a great historic district and a setting that is nestled in the Blue Mountains.”
• Marco Island, Fla. “…enjoy warm breezes, spectacular sunsets and white sand beaches, all set in a location that is easily accessible.”
• Franklin, Tenn. “…parks with walking trails and good biking access, rolling hills, historic homes and architecture, Civil War sites, free festivals, great restaurants and friendly locals.”