I'm looking for advice on beach destinations. My boyfriend and I have agreed our first trip together will be to someplace with sand and sun. I love to travel and have been all over, but so far not to anyplace like Cancun, the Bahamas, etc. I'm just not much of a beach bunny, but I'm fairly confident I could enjoy just about any place. He hasn't travelled much, so there's no particular beach he has in mind -- except that Hawaii is out (long story, something about the ex).

Suppose it has to be in the US, Mexico, or the Carribean. Just between all of you and me, my priorities are finding nice restaurants, nice hotels, and things worth photographing. I speak Spanish and a little French; he doesn't speak either.

Any suggestions?