There are good amount of beaches on the East Coast... There is Virginia Beach, Ocean City, Myrtle Beach... and I forget the rest , but they are there!!!
Dragged out? I don't think so. I like how One Piece is so open and anything is possible. I really think that is why it makes for a really great story. Correct if I'm wrong, but I've read this is the half way point in the entire story in general as Oda has already in mind how he wants to end it. I also think "One Piece" isn't anything of materialistic value either... probably like a whole spiritual thing or what not...
If anything is dragged out... (Naruto/Bleach) blah
edit: If I ever had the chance to live my life in a manga series it would be One Piece fosho!