Fort Lauderdale Beach

Fort Lauderdale Beach Review

The same downy sands that once welcomed America's youth-gone-wild (aka wild spring breakers) now frame a multi-mile shoreline of beachside sophistication. Alone among Florida's major beachfront communities, Fort Lauderdale's principal beach remains gloriously open and uncluttered. Walkways line both sides of the beach roadway, and traffic has been trimmed to two gently curving northbound lanes. Fort Lauderdale Beach unofficially begins between the Sheraton Fort Lauderdale and the Bahia Mar Resort, starting with the quiet South Beach Park, where picnic tables and palm trees rule. Going north, the younger, barely legal crowd gravitates toward the section of sand at the mouth of Las Olas Boulevard. The beach is actually most crowded between Las Olas and Sunrise Boulevards, directly in front of the major hotels and condominiums, namely in front of Beach Place, home to the Marriott time-share building and touristy places like Hooters and Fat Tuesday (and a beach-themed CVS Pharmacy). Gay men and women get their fix of vitamin D along Sebastian Beach, on Sebastian Street, just north of the Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale. Families with children enjoy hanging out between Seville Street and Vistamar Street, between the Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach and the Atlantic Resort and Spa. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee). Best for: sunrise; swimming; walking.