Beaches – South Beach Magazine

Sunny Isles / Golden Beach

Editor — Sun, 04 May 2014 00:02:36 +0000

Located in North Miami Beach, this two miles of public beach has few amenities, but it seems only locals know about this little utopia. William Lane’s exuberant, Deco-styled pavilion at 163rd St. harks back to Sunny Isles Beach’s 1950s futurism, even if the kitschy motels are now disappearing under the giant footprints of the high rises. Don’t despair though, you will find plenty of souvenir shops (loaded with flamingo T-shirts and snow globes) and hotels reminiscent of the resort Florida people from all over the world have come to know and love.

Parking can be hard to find though there are metered lots near the Ramada Inn just north of the William Lehman Causeway. Just be sure to keep those meters fed because—let’s just say the meter maids do their job very well. Be sure and check out the pier where you can gaze over the ocean and perhaps see a sea turtle or dolphins playing below. You can fish from the pier and there is also a snack bar offered on site.

Find more info on Miami’s best beaches here.

South Beach

Editor — Sat, 03 May 2014 23:59:49 +0000

In sultry and pulsating South Beach, the fun is non-stop from white-sand beaches to international bistros. With a slew of hotels, restaurants and bars sitting across the street from the ocean, it’s definitely an adult entertainment Mecca. Interested in surfers and other thrill seekers? These creatures tend to congregate around 1st to 5th streets. (Watch out for reckless jet skiers in this area, though). Topless women? All over and as easy to spot as a hip-hop artist and his entourage in one of the nearby clubs? VIP rooms. And where else but in South Beach will you see pastel-colored lifeguard stands?

Despite its reputation as a trendy hot spot, South Beach is also a fun beach for families. The preferred area for families is from 6th Street up to 11th Street. Chairs and umbrellas are available for rent from stands located across much of this area ($20 for an umbrella and 2 lounge chairs). Adjacent to the beach is a paved area where rollerblades, bicycles, and scooters are welcome. Volleyball nets are set up at all times. A wide portion of the beach is hard packed sand, which is great for ball games, playing Frisbee, and kite flying. Every few blocks at the beach entrances are showers.

Negatives: Ok, so the restrooms are filthy, parking is a hassle on metered streets and the private lots are a rip-off—so just park in one of the many city garages along Collins Avenue and hold it until you get home.

Find more info on Miami’s best beaches here.

Oleta River State Park

Editor — Sat, 03 May 2014 23:57:55 +0000

Oleta River State Park is a 1043-acre park, the largest urban park in the state, smack dab in the middle of North Miami. Located on beautiful Biscayne Bay, with the Oleta River coursing through it, this is a real find. Today, the Oleta River no longer flows north into the Everglades, but its beauty and splendor are alive and well. Water birds feed along the mangrove-lined shoreline and the endangered West Indian manatee finds refuge from south Florida’s crowded waterways here.

Outdoor adventurers can always find something to their liking. The bike trails are some of the best in the area, with 10 miles of challenging and intermediate trails, four miles of novice trails, and three miles of paved trails. The paved trails are also great for rollerblading. If you forget your bikes or helmet, you can rent the bikes at the concession stand for $10 – $15 per hour and borrow a helmet. Canoeing and kayaking are also popular choices in this park. Choose from the river or Biscayne Bay for a water adventure. Canoes and kayaks can also be rented at the concession stand as well for $8 – $12 per hour or $25 – $35 per day.

A sandy beach and fishing pier face Biscayne Bay. Picnic areas have grills, so you can cook up your fresh catch. Swimming is permitted in the Bay, and the man-made swimming area has little surf so it’s great for little ones. A boat ramp, and camping facilities are available, too. Fourteen very simple log cabins are available for rent, but make your reservations early—during season they book up fast. It costs $2 per car (single passenger) and $4 per car (up to eight passengers) to get into the park.

Find more info on Miami’s best beaches here.

North Shore Park Beach

Editor — Sat, 03 May 2014 23:56:00 +0000

Behind the gates of this manicured park you will find long stretches of sand, picnic areas, better than average restrooms, showers and lifeguards. An often overlooked, but charming gem among Miami-Dade beaches, the sea grapes and sand dunes will make you feel like you have landed somewhere in the Caribbean.

One of this park’s most charming features is the outdoor amphitheater, which hosts a number of cultural events throughout the season, including performances from the Florida Dance Festival (in the month of June). Every Friday, North Beach Skates is held here from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.. The first hour of this rockin’ event (a DJ provides the music) is reserved for the smallest skaters (six years and under). The entrance fee is $1, but kids under six are free.

Be sure and check out Altos del Mar located just south of the park—it’s best known for its lush and hugely appealing green patch of land. Bring a blanket and have a picnic or simply soak up the South Florida sunshine. Parking is easy and available in nearby lots.

Find more info on Miami’s best beaches here.

Matheson Hammock Park Beach

Editor — Sat, 03 May 2014 23:54:06 +0000

This tranquil park features a man-made lagoon, which is flushed naturally by the tides of Biscayne Bay. Its safe, warm waters make it a perfect place for quiet afternoons in the South Florida sun—not to mention the gorgeous, tropical hardwood forest surroundings. On the left as you drive towards the beach you’ll see a wooded pathway, ideal for a well-shaded walk or bike ride. This dense area of mangrove trees, partially in the ocean, is called a hammock (hence, the name of the park). If you walk the loop around the lagoon you can enjoy the view of downtown Miami and Miami Beach across Biscayne Bay.

Matheson Hammock Park Beach is family-friendly and has a marina, restaurant, snack bar, picnic pavilions and nature trails. Lifeguards are on duty 8:30a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends, and swimming is only permitted when they are on duty.

You will be happy to find several picnic tables on the grassy area adjacent to the beach, and the great thing about this picnic area is it sits on the bay next to the inlet for the Marina, so it allows for some great boat watching. A concession stand is open from 11a.m. – 3 p.m. at one of the coral rock buildings on the beach. The menu is limited ? hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, and sodas ? so if you are a health nut you better bring your own snacks. Or better yet, make reservations at the Red Fish Grill (they serve fresh seafood, pasta, chicken and steak, nightly, except Mondays) and come back a second day.

If you plan on doing a little fishing be sure and stop in to the marina. Bait can be purchased here (shrimp and squid) to fish under the bridge for snapper, mullet, or snook. If you forget your fishing gear, a small rod and reel can be purchased at the marina for $25. For more information about the marina call (305) 669-3020. Fishing licenses are required for persons from outside Florida who are between the ages of 16 and 65. For more information regarding fishing licenses call 1-888-FISH-FLO.

Find more info on Miami’s best beaches here.

Haulover Beach Park

Editor — Sat, 03 May 2014 23:37:10 +0000

What’s the crowd like at Haulover Beach? In a word: N-a-k-e-d. Serving as Miami-Dade’s only legal haven for nudists, Haulover Park contains one of South Florida’s most beautiful beaches—a mile and a half stretch that draws people from all walks of life, from other states, Canada and a variety of other countries. Nestled between the Intercoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean, it has pristine white sandy shores, open ocean surf and beautifully landscaped sand dunes. The beach is ideal for surfing as well as swimming. Well-trained lifeguards, who will inform beach patrons of existing weather and surf conditions, guard the entire beach.

Haulover provides plenty of areas to barbecue, a small 9-hole golf course, a full-service marina, tennis courts, kite shops and water sport rentals. Haulover Park Tennis Center offers six lighted tennis courts and tennis lessons. Reservations are accepted, and the courts are wheelchair-accessible. Haulover Golf Course is located on the north end of Miami Beach, right on the Bay. This 9-hole, 810-yard, par-27 course is ideal for the player who wants to sharpen his/her short game or for the family on a casual outing. The longest hole is 125 yards long. Beginners and experienced golfers are welcome. Prices are the lowest you’ll find, and rentals are available. Afterwards, patrons can relax and enjoy the Bay breeze at the Afterdeck Restaurant, which is adjacent to the marina and golf course. There is plenty of parking and admission into the park is $4 per vehicle.

Find more info on Miami’s best beaches here.

Crandon Park Beach

Editor — Sat, 03 May 2014 23:02:06 +0000

What this beach lacks in pizzazz it makes up for in reliability. Crandon Park’s beautiful two-mile beach is consistently named among the top ten beaches in the nation. Numerous picnic tables, showers and restrooms adorn a park-like setting before actually stumbling across the sand. But once you are there, you sun worshippers will love the long stretches of soft sand perfect for spreading the towel out and soaking up the sun abound. There are also oodles of palm trees to recline against and read the latest paperback. This is actually the perfect beach for families. Mom and Dad can relax and there is enough for kids to do, too. There are lifeguards, some concessions and picnic areas with tables and grills.

Catch a ride on the restored carousel by the sea at Crandon Park (three spins for $1). The historic carousel is at the heart of the new Family Amusement Center that includes an old-fashioned outdoor roller rink, dolphin-shaped splash fountain and a host of marine play sculptures at the beachfront playground. The amusement area is open daily from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.. A short drive from the beach, Crandon Park has a full service-marina, restaurants, Crandon Park Tennis Center and a championship 18-hole golf course

There’s a $1 toll to access Key Biscayne and plenty of parking is available at $4 per vehicle. Be sure to park close, it’s a long walk to the shore.

Find more info on Miami’s best beaches here.

Bill Baggs Cape Florida Beach

Editor — Sat, 03 May 2014 20:33:33 +0000

Hurricane Andrew did a number on this jewel a decade ago, but nature is remarkable for its self-healing powers. Located at the very end of Key Biscayne, this beach is once again a mostly shady favorite with families for its plentiful barbecue grills, picnic tables, play areas and restrooms. Also a favorite for those seeking relaxation. This is one quiet (read: non–pretentious) spot.

Aside from offering a great family beach, this state recreation area is home to the Cape Florida Lighthouse, originally built shortly after Florida became a U.S. territory in 1821. Located at the end of the Atlantic facing beach portion of the park, the lighthouse survived the Second Seminole War and the Civil War. Lighthouse tours are conducted Thursday—Monday at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.. You won’t want to miss the Lighthouse Cafe (open daily 9am-6 pm) offering traditional fare, such as chicken fingers and hamburgers, but also offers dolphin sandwiches, stone crab (in season), grilled shrimp and seafood pasta.

Currently ranked the #9 Best Beach in the nation by Dr. Beach, Bill Baggs Florida State Park is consistently ranked among the top ten beaches in the United States. Many like to rent bikes on the beach and explore the park. Look for skate and watercraft rentals as well. There’s a $1 toll to access Key Biscayne and parking is in abundance at $4 per vehicle.

Find more info on Miami’s best beaches here.

Miami Beach to Key West

Joseph Brown — Sat, 03 May 2014 17:58:58 +0000

No matter who you are, no matter where you live – everyone needs a vacation. And if you’re a New Yorker vacationing in Miami Beach (like me), you’ll want to take in everything you can during your time in the South Florida sun.

So this summer when vacation time rolled around, I rang up all my Miami Beach gal-pals and we headed south to Key West. Sure, it was mid-summer and the temp was approximately 5,000 degrees in South Florida, but right about the time we dropped our bags in the sand and the wind rustled through the palm trees (cue the Jimmy Buffet soundtrack) we knew euphoric bliss was on its way. Here’s a look at the trip and what you’ll see.

To get going take U.S. 1 (South Dixie Highway) south from Miami to…

MileMarker 29 / FLORIDA CITY
The vast mangrove swamp that covers the entire southern Florida mainland begins just south of town. Notice the huge metal pipe that runs alongside the road. This is the lifeline of the keys where there’s no fresh water except rainwater and the water that’s brought in by this pipeline. When you cross the Jewfish Creek Bridge, you’ll be out on the Keys to begin your 107-mile voyage out to sea on the longest ocean-going highway in the world. You’ll also be on Key Largo and you’ll reach…

MileMarker 51 / JOHN PENNEKAMP CORAL REEF STATE PARK
This is the first undersea park in the continental United States. The park includes a living coral reef offshore in the Atlantic, 21 miles long and 3 miles wide. Glass-bottom boat tours of the reef, lasting an hour and a half, give a fine view of the thousands of exotic tropical fish that frequent the reef. Old wrecks from the days of the Spanish Main may also be seen. Skin diving and underwater photography are encouraged but spear fishing and shooting or hunting on the mainland are forbidden. Pole-and-line fishing is allowed. A fine nature trail through the jungle is part of the shore installation. Admission per car is charged to the park, which is open every day from 8 a.m. to sunset.

Proceeding south, you’ll be in territory that until 1912 could only be reached by boat. In that year Henry M. Flagler’s railroad was opened to Key West across the islands. A severe hurricane and an accompanying massive tidal wave washed the railroad out to sea in September, 1935. The federal government took over the right-of-way for the Overseas Highway, which was opened in 1938. Drive south on the highway (still U.S. 1) to…

MileMarker 70 / TREASURE HARBOR
This was pirate country a few centuries ago, with Plantation Key and the south portion of Key Largo as favorite pirate haunts. At McKee’s Museum here, mementos such as doubloons, jewelry and 75-lb. silver ingots are on exhibit, dating from the days when the pirates were raiding and sinking Spanish galleons. Other relics on exhibit include the remains of ships sunk either by pirates or by hurricanes. The museum is open every day from 8:00 to 6; admission is charged. Continue southwest over numerous bridges to…

MileMarker 74 / ISLAMORADA
A bone-fishing center, this town on Upper Matecumbe Key has several restaurants where the unique Keys cuisine may be sampled. Green turtle chowder and steaks and a wide variety of dishes prepared from the shellfish known as conch (pronounced “conk” on these Keys) make unusual meals. During the 1935 hurricane, more than 600 highway construction workers were killed. A monument to their memory is adjacent to the highway to the left just south of town. The Theater of the Sea is 21/2 miles north. Here trained dolphins and sea lions perform. It is open 8 to 5; admission is charged. Drive south across several keys noted for their fine fishing to…

MileMarker 110 / MARATHON
A busy sports fishing and shrimp boat port is here. From the south end of town, the longest bridge on the Overseas Highway extends seven miles across open water to the next key. Then on to…

MileMarker 118 / BAHIA HONDA STATE PARK
It offers tent and trailer camping on 74 acres with a beach, and a small charge for electricity. The campgrounds afford a view of one of the world’s most unusual bridges. The original railroad bridge had a high, arched superstructure which was wide enough for a single-track railroad but too narrow to permit a road to go through. So the highway zooms up and over the curved top of the 75 ft. high superstructures. It affords striking views of the changing color of the waters of the ocean to the left and the gulf to the right as you cross Bahia Honda (“Deep Bay”). Continue south to…

MileMarker 127 / BIG PINE KEY
This is the haunt of the tiny Key deer beautiful animals about the size of an Airedale dog. Dawn or dusk is the best time to see them, especially on the side roads of Big Pine Key. The keys cluster closely, with numerous short bridges between them, from here to the next stop…

MileMarker 158 / KEY WEST
This quaint old island city is just 90 miles across the Florida Straits from Havana, Cuba. Over three centuries old, it has never known frost. In the 1840’s, it was the wealthiest city per capita in the United States, but in 1933, it was among the poorest. The big Naval Air Station north of town, the submarine base on its southern end, commercial fishing, and tourism are the principal industries of this isolated island town. A “Conch Tour Train” affords a convenient way of seeing the city. (Admission is charged). It starts at Mallory Square and makes four trips daily (9 a.m. and 11 a.m. and 1:30 and 3:30 p.m.) It covers some 14 miles, with a lecturing guide in charge. The city’s buildings and old forts are visited, as well as such unusual sights as the turtle kraals, where the big green monsters are kept after their capture. There’s only one road across the keys; so you return the way you came.

Let’s start with the traditional tourist stuff first…

HOG’S BREATH SALOON
400 Front St.
800.826.6969
HogsBreath.com
This is a well-known tourist hangout that deserves at least a walk-through and a shot at the bar. How could you possibly pass up a place with a tagline like “Hog’s Breath is better than no breath at all!” Check out their website for upcoming events – they host everything from homemade bikini contests to a song writers’ festival.

GREEN PARROT BAR
601 Whitehead St
305.294.6133
GreenParrot.com
A landmark since 1890, the Parrot prides itself on being is the first and last bar on US 1. Expect great drinks, bad art, a working jukebox, pool, darts and pinball. There’s always live music on the weekends and many weeknights as well. Happy hour: 4 – 7pm, 365 days a year.

BULL & WHISTLE COMPLEX
427 Caroline St.
305.296.4565
TheBullandWhistle.com
This joint is reminiscent of the Key West old folks are still talking about. One of the last open-air bars on just off Duval Street at the corner of Duval and Caroline. Enjoy it while you can because you won’t find this kinda place back home.

GARDEN OF EDEN
224 Duval St.
305.294.4565
Definitely the most unique bar in the heart of Old Town Key West. Located directly above the Bull & Whistle complex on the rooftop. Be sure and take a peek because it’s the only clothing optional bar in Key West. Take part in Naked Sunset, enjoy live music, dancing and body painting.

MANGOES
700 Duval St.
305.292.4606
MangoesKeyWest.com
Right in the heart of the Duval strip, Mangoes Restaurant is within walking distance of all downtown bars, clubs and shopping spots. Upstairs at Mangoes is a spacious second floor dining room with a balcony overlooking a tropical outdoor patio dining area and Duval Street. “It’s not just a fruit…It’s a lifestyle.” A little cheesy but a lot of fun.

SLOPPY JOE’S
201 Duval St.
305.294.5717
SloppyJoes.com
No stop in Key West is complete without a visit to Sloppy Joe’s. Open daily from 9am-4am it’s the perfect place to get your drink on early. Open since 1933, this place really is a Key West staple. They offer lots of fried comfort food, huge drinks and a cute souvenir shop with enough stuff to pick up something for everyone back home.

SQUARE ONE RESTAURANT
1075 Duval St.
305.296.4300
SquareOneRestaurant.com
A bit more upscale, Square One offers American cuisine, fresh local seafood and a superb wine list. This is a great place for a romantic night out complete with live piano and soft lighting. Perfect for sporting that new Tommy Bahama button-down you just picked up. Locals love this place too.

THE LAZY GECKO
203 Duval St.
305.292.1903
TheLazyGecko.com
Situated right next door to Sloppy Joes, this air-conditioned(!) bar offers 12 frozen daiquiris, lots of deli-style sandwiches and fresh pizza (perfect for staving off hangovers). Check them out online for all their great happy hour specials.

MARGARITAVILLE
500 Duval St.
305.292.1435
Margariaville.com
Admittedly, this one seems a little over-the-top – a Jimmy Buffet hangout in Key West? Surprisingly the food was amazing and the margaritas, that just happen to be the size of your head, can’t be beat. Parrotheads and Coral Reefers run amuck in this hangout.

Then the local hotspots…

LA TRATTORIA
524 Duval St.
305.296-1075
LaTrattoria.us
Voted in 1996, 1997 and 1998 as the People’s Choice Award for one of Key West’s favorite Italian restaurants and favorite place for a romantic dinner, this restaurant ranks very high in many locals’ books. No bar crawlers or drunken spring breakers here.

VIRGILIO’S COCKTAIL LOUNGE
Appelrouth Ln.
305.296.8118
LaTrattoria.us/virgilios.html
Located adjacent La Trattoria, Virgilio’s is a quaint cocktail lounge
serving up live jazz until 2am. This little hotspot offers a great selection of chilled martinis, single malt scotches and fine wines. Dinners also available from La Trattoria.

SCHOONER WHARF BAR
202 William St.
305.292.9520
SchoonerWharf.com
Located on the historic seaport on the site of the old Singleton Shrimp factory, this funky open-air bar features live, nightly entertainment traditional Kew West fair and a slew of special events. Visit them online for a complete listing.

TURTLE KRAALS BAR & RESTAURANT
1 Lands End Village
305.294.2640
TurtleKraals.com
Situated in Key West’s historic Land’s End Marina, Turtle Kraals is one of the coolest places on the island. Enjoy waterfront dinning, a fusion of Southwestern and Key West fare, a full bar with a host of microbrews and imports and the finest in local and national touring blues acts. Be sure not to miss the turtle races that take place twice a week

TWO FRIENDS PATIO RESTAURANT
512 Front Street
305.296.3124
TwoFriendsKeyWest.com
Two Friends has been offering casual open-air dining in the heart of Old Town for over three decades. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, but known for their chargrilled steaks and ribs. The prices are reasonable and the frozen drinks still come with those little paper umbrellas.

CAFE MARQUESA
600 Fleming St.
305.292.1919
Marquesa.com/cafe.htm
Every local will agree that no visit to Key West is complete without a trip to Cafe Marquesa. The 50-seat restaurant has an open kitchen where you can watch the chefs prepare succulent grilled meats, fresh, local seafood, inventive appetizers and salads, as well as fresh baked breads and incredible desserts that are all made fresh daily. The Goat Cheese and Pistachio Crusted Rack of Lamb is to die for.

CAFE MED AT EDEN HOUSE
1015 Fleming St.
305.296.6868
Cafe Med at the Eden House offers your standard island cuisine but with an added Mediterranean twist. There really isn’t anything else like it on the island. Right now it’s only open for dinner Wednesday through Monday, from 6 to 10pm, but they will soon be offering breakfast, lunch and brunch.

CONCH REPUBLIC SEAFOOD COMPANY
631 Greene Street
305.294.4403
ConchRepublicseafood.com
Located in the historic Key West Bight locale overlooking the seaport, this open-air restaurant offers spectacular, upscale waterfront dining. The eclectic menu definitely has something for everyone and the huge bar area is the perfect place to catch an infamous Key West sunset. Just ask any local.

and Gay Key West…

What is Key West if not gay? Situated not-so-discreetly between tourist-infested bars and souvenir shops there many gay friendly hangouts. Here are a few of the highlights:

For Cabaret…

801 Bourbon
801 Duval St.
305.294.4737
801Bourbon.com

For Drag Shows…

Aqua
11 Duval St.
305.294.0555
AquaKeyWest.com

For Dancing…

Bourbon Street Pub
724 Duval St.
305.296.1992
BourbonStreetPub.com

For Male Go-Go dancers…

Kwest Men
705 Duval St.
305.292.8500

For au naturale Sunbathing and cocktails by the pool…

Atlantic Shores Pool Bar& Grille
510 South St.
800-526-3559
AtlanicShoresResort.com

And the Special Treat…

Fantasy Fest
305.296.1817
FantasyFest.net
At Key West’s annual be-as-outrageous-as-possible costume festival anything goes – and usually it does. Many of the costumes are picture-worthy and there is considerable public nudity (always a plus). Taking place in October, this wild event attracts thousands of revelers to the island to take part in the esteemed yacht race, the Mardi Gras Massacre, Pet Masquerade and a Royal Coronation Ball. Some of the events have admission or entry fees, so be sure and call for details. Hotel reservations should be made well in advance and don’t forget your camera.