When’s the last time you went to the beach?
There are so many different beaches, there’s bound to be one to suit you.
Let’s start with the best . . .
KEY BISCAYNE
If you want natural beauty, visit Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park at the tip of Key Biscayne, known affectionately as “El Farito” (the little lighthouse). The lighthouse is open again (after undergoing some renovations) for tours at 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM. It’s $1.25 to get onto ‘the Key’, and admission to the Park is $3 for 1 person in a car, or $5 per car (for up to 8 people) (this includes parking).
The farther you get from the entrance gate, the more crowded the beach gets. Closest to the lighthouse is a family area with beach chair, umbrella, and 2-person bike rentals. Or, bring your own bike to ride the bike trails. You can find peace and quiet as the nature reserve offers a buffer between the Park and the condos. Walk the beach all they way from the Lighthouse to Virginia Key! Dine at the Lighthouse Cafe or the Boaters’ Grill, where you can also arrive by boat.
HOLLYWOOD BEACH
Hollywood Beach is a charming, old Florida experience. Sit on benches to watch live music for free in an open-air, beach-side bandshell. There are plenty of great little places to get good seafood. Feels like you’re not just at the beach, you’re on vacation! Check out their calendar of events and beach-side concert schedule.
MIAMI BEACH
South Beach has a worldwide reputation for its beach. The beach starts at Government Cut where the cruises ships come and go to the Port of Miami. While SoBe is defined as south of 15th Street (where the world hopes to see topless supermodels), the entire length of Miami Beach offers a variety of features. If you head north on Collins Avenue, the beaches are known by street name, such as “the 85th Street beach” and are marked by parking lot availability. 12th Street is known as a gay beach, 21st to 48th features a wooden, beach-side boardwalk. You can find parking all the way up to Haulover Park, at 108th, which is a clothing-optional beach. So now you know what to head for, or what to avoid!
BEACHES
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park aka “El Farito”
Crandon Park
Haulover
Hollywood Beach
Matheson Hammock (Castle Harbor Sailing School )
Miami Beach (parking information!)
South Beach