Hollywood North Beach - Weekdays

Just south of Dania Beach is this secluded and hidden little gem called Hollywood North Beach. Its further north than what is actually known as Hollywood Beach (the one with busy shops, restaurants and activities... photos coming soon.) This beach is almost always empty on weekdays making it somewhat private and secluded if you are seeking some peace and quiet. There are no shops, stores or hotels nearby so pack your own lunch and escape to this hideout on the other side of a small boardwalk. There is a cool bike trail that many joggers love to frequent and even a local charity is known to feed the furry felines that call Hollywood North Beach their home.


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Deerfield Beach - Memorial Day Weekend

Since it's Hip Hop weekend down in South Beach on Memorial Day weekend, you have to travel elsewhere to take your family (or significant other) for a quieter time in the sun. Deerfield Beach has a lifeguard on duty, a fishing pier, clear waters and unique rock formations closer to the shore. It was still extremely busy on a weekend like this. Scuba divers were seen in and out of this water and one claimed to have seen some turtles while we saw schools of minnows swimming close to the shore around 2pm. There are no high rises to block your sun either, must be nice on a weekday!



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Ft. Myers Beach - Behind Smuggler's Cove

This was back in January, when the rest of the US was suffering from freezing winter temperatures, you can trek down to Ft. Myers Beach on the west coast of Florida along with all of the other snow birds! The sand here is amazingly as soft as baby powder. There are amazing sea shells, sand dollars and other marine life to observe. The many retirees and families that own the condos in this part of Ft. Myers lends a family atmosphere. It's a very nice hideaway. It was cloudy in the afternoon in the photos but the beach was still beautiful.



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Key Biscayne - Lighthouse - Weekend

Another weekend take of the beaches at Bill Bags Cape State Park, this time at the southern-most tip directly next to the lighthouse. On the weekends its really crowded with mostly the locals who live in South Florida. The park that proceeds the beach is full of family parties, volleyball, bar-b-q cookouts, music, etc. The park opens at 8am so we imagine you have to be here bright and early to get a good spot. This is totally a family beach. The water is sometimes calm and shallow at this end, but no lifeguard is on duty. The view from the lighthouse is worth the climb up the winding steps.



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Hallandale Beach - South Park - Weekdays

Hallandale Beach is a short beach dotted by tall condos (as you can see in the photo.) Most of the folks who frequent during weekdays are the members of the retiree community who stay nearby. Its usually very quiet, empty and occasionally visited by marine life (the lifeguards are always on the lookout). The tall condos will block your sun after 2 or 3 pm, so come early for sunbathing. The further south from the Hallandale Beach entrance you walk the more space you will have to your self if you want to be alone on the sand. The actual strip of sand is very narrow so don't expect much space to spread out. Otherwise its a quiet and calming experience during weekdays!



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South Beach - 14th and Ocean Drive

On a Saturday in May, the busiest time of day on the busiest beach in South Florida we still found a relatively empty spot within the madness that is South Beach! Directly behind the Starbucks coffee on 14th and Ocean, these photos don't tell the true story of how busy and crowded South Beach really is (Family Warning: Topless sun bathers are frequent, take the kids to another beach). Maybe it's because the hotels are all bunched up directly north and south of this spot. Maybe because people are too lazy to walk far before setting out their beach towels. Who knows, but it was a nice day day on a quieter part of what is supposed to be a hectic and touristy beach!




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Key Biscayne Beach - North Entrance

If you travel down Key Biscayne all the way down to the southern tip you'll discover this hidden beach with it's own lighthouse and cafe. We saw kayak rentals and plenty of covered areas for grilling with the family. On the weekends it gets pretty busy. These photos are of the northern most entrance. So far north that we could NOT see the light house. The beach was short and the water has lots of sea grass for the manatees. We imagine that during the weekday this beach would be a really secluded place to be. Part state park - part hidden tropical hideout.

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
www.floridastateparks.org

1200 Crandon Blvd
Key Biscayne, FL 33149
(305) 361-8779