Whether it's a family vacation, a romantic getaway or a Florida road trip with friends that brings you to South Florida, you're sure to find a beach where you'll feel at home. Use these recommendations to find your perfect seaside destination near Miami.
Miami Beach
To get away from it all, lie on the white sand and gaze at the turquoise waters that make South Florida a beach lover's dream, head to Miami Beach, a city on a barrier island. The miles of hard-packed sand that comprise the namesake beach faces the Atlantic Ocean. A boardwalk that stretches from 21st Street to 46th Street is ideal for jogging or skating. Toward the northern end of Miami Beach you’ll find the iconic North Beach Bandshell, an outdoor amphitheater that hosts musical performances, as well as tons of sidewalk cafes where you can fuel up after a blissful day by the seashore.
South Beach
At the southern extreme of Miami Beach is South Beach, the go-to place if tanning and people-watching are high on your to-do list. If you spot someone here who looks familiar, it might be because you've seen them on the cover of a tabloid or on TV. Celebrity sightings are common, and you're likely to spot models putting their best angles forward for the cameras. Lined with clubs and lounges, South Beach is visited as much for nightlife and its wealth of Art Deco architecture as it is for the beaches themselves.
Key Biscayne
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, an undeveloped stretch on the southern tip of the barrier island of Key Biscayne, is easily known as one of the nation's best beaches. Blessed with soft sands and gentle waters, its distinguishing feature is the Cape Florida Lighthouse, the oldest structure in South Florida dating back to 1846. Venture inside on a tour, offered twice daily Thursday through Monday. You'll find another 2 miles of soft sand and shallower waters at Crandon Park Beach near the northern end of Key Biscayne, where you can rent kayaks or challenge each other to a round of golf or tennis. The park's Bear Cut Preserve offers an opportunity to hike through mangroves and more.
Matheson Hammock Park
If scenery factors into your choice of surf and sand Matheson Hammock Park, with its panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay, is a top option. A placid artificial lagoon draws families with kids to this beach in the city of Coral Gables. The pool, fed naturally by the tide, is calm enough for even the tiniest tots to wade. This is a lovely spot for a beach picnic, so bring your favorite munchies. Should you tire of lolling around on the sand, stretch your legs with a hike on one of several nature trails that showcase local flora.
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