Picture this: stepping out of the car and feeling the warm breeze. The air is salty, the sun is bright, and the sand is squishing between toes, gradually heating the entirety of the body.

The beach is a perfect destination. Some may say that the possibility of sunburn and the sand are make-or-break elements. There are benefits—both physical and mental—to the sun, sand, and waves that are not available elsewhere.

The sun is not solely detrimental; the sun’s rays increase the body’s release of serotonin, which will lessen some effects of depression and act as a natural mood-booster. That level of sunshine can’t be found as often in the mountains.

Vitamin D is also gained through time in the sun.

Supplemental pills are available, but one 100-count bottle of 2000 IU (International Units; used to measure fat- soluble vitamins) Vitamin D3 pills costs something around $11.99 at drug stores. Beaches provide free access to a life-dependent vitamin.

According to Medical Daily, 1000 IUs of Vitamin D from a pill, the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) recommended amount of Vitamin D, is the equivalent of 10 to 15 minutes in the sun.

And then there is sand and the mystery of finding it days after leaving the beach. Surprisingly, even this nuisance has benefits. Sand is a natural exfoliant.

Walking on dry sand feels good because of all the nerve endings in feet, but wet sand is where the benefits are. According to a Huffington Post article, walking on wet sand helps the feet shed dead skin more rapidly.

From mood boosting to exfoliating, the beach is clearly superior to mountains for vacationing. The most evident benefit though, is the decrease in stress levels. Beaches allow people to unplug and relax, helping to let go of life’s anxieties.

So this summer, if you are tasked with choosing mountains or the beach, the best decision is evident: beaches are the superior destination.