Looking thru the Miami Beach talks.....everyone talks about restaurants and hotels. I just want to go to a good (non-European style) beach to actually sit on the beach and enjoy the weather and ocean. I'm really having trouble navigating this new talk section. I'm sure the information is there somewhere........
Going today. Pls help!

I like the stretch of beach at 17th and Collins. There are chairs and umbrellas to rent and it's pretty uncrowded and low key. Not really any kids either.

Some people do go topless in Miami but it's really not a big deal.

Really the whole thing is a beach. All along Ocean Drive. If you go further north like around the Lowes, I think the crowd gets a little less Paris Hilton and might be more what you are looking for.

What do you mean by "non-European style"?

I think they mean no boobies. Or maybe no Speedos?

musictub -
Do you want the beach to be quiet - with few crowds and tourists? Do you want to be able to rent chair and umbrellas? Do you want food and bathrooms?? Where are you staying? This info will help on where to send you to enjoy the Beach!!

Thank you for all your responses. I apologize for posting the question at the last minute. Since we were going to the beach the day I posted, I only saw the first two responses. So, we went with Wyatt92's suggestion. We started at 17th, walked the broadwalk to a public bathroom (scary), and stayed ~16th near the water. It was a beautiful day and we all really enjoyed the atmosphere. We walked to the Lincoln Road (mall) area with all of the restaurants and people. Our out-of-town guests were impressed and want to eat dinner there next visit. PS "non-European style" = no boobies. Where we stayed, no one was topless. The closest thing was a mannequin we saw on the way to Lincoln Road .... pretty eye-popping!

17th & Collins is Lincoln Shopping Mall, usually there are a lot of people there on the beach. If you get a bit to the north, maybe around 40th street, it's the same beach, but much less people. Though I think the famous boardwalk end around 30th street.

I guess you're glad you didn't go to Haulover Beach

bkluvsNola, why should I be glad about not going to Haulover Beach?