The Most Diverse Beach in Broward County (feat. Anne Kolb)

Between upscale Palm Beach and the beautiful chaos of Miami-Dade County are miles of beautiful beaches that deserves more attention and more love from Floridians. Right before crossing into the Miami-Dade county lines with Aventura is one of my five favorite beaches in the entire state.

The core of Hollywood Beach is a two-mile continuous broadwalk (not boardwalk, the slight name change is related to its length and layout) located within a sandal toss from the beautiful sand and ocean water. Heading north to south, you can start with the Hollywood Beach North Park, which is also close to the Stranahan River that is an essential part of a nearby nature preserve that I’ll get to later. As you make your way south, you’ll find dozens of overnight stay options, while they are all supported by a big arsenal of bars, restaurants, shops, parks, sports-centric public spaces, and much more.

Over 50 restaurants can be found on this area alone, ranging from well-known chains to local classics, to late-night bars, and some hidden gems. Situated in what feels like the center of it all is the locally controversial Margaritaville Resort, which arguably takes up the most space in the small region. I personally don’t find it as distracting or as much of an eyesore as some of the longtime locals may claim, even if a bit of the local old-school Florida charm isn’t as present here. But as long as Jimmy Buffet doesn’t affect the beautiful beach sitting adjacent to the businesses, we’re good.

The beach here is usually very well-maintained, and seems to take in multiple personalities as you progress through the walk. At North Beach, it’s a bit more natural and unblemished, as it’s a Broward County park and doesn’t have the influx of nearby businesses that you’ll find further south. If you’re looking for a quieter, more natural space, stick to the northern side. Even when you start seeing the first cluster of hotels and condos, the ambiance remains quiet. As a bonus, if you have dogs, there are even beach areas dedicated to dogs north of the park.

As you progress south towards Margaritaville however, the activity definitely picks up. You’ll see the bikes, skateboards, rollerblades, volleyball courts, loud music, playgrounds, live performers, and of course the bars and places where you can grab a tropical drink. And of course, the beach is still close by, inviting you to visit. What makes Hollywood Beach special is that it has all the variety of activity and options, but remains a good option for those with families.

Let’s be honest, South Beach and even parts of North Miami Beach are nice but not for the weak, not really for families, and definitely not for those operating on a budget. With Hollywood Beach, there are still upscale places like Billy’s Stone Crabs, but you can also find plenty of spots that won’t wreck your wallet. Special shoutout to Café Club, which is a great brunch spot that specializes in smoothies and casual classic meals with fresh ingredients. Also, Nick’s Bar and Grill has pretty good vibes and drinks.

You can easily spend an entire afternoon and/or an entire evening at this beach venue and not feel bored at all. Just so much to do, so much to see, so many options for whatever you might be craving. But if you want to add even more nature to the itinerary, then drive just a couple minutes over the bridge and you’ll find a nice relaxing nature preserve that also doubles as a very important space that actually helps protect the city against potential storms.

Anne Kolb Nature Center is this beautiful peaceful space full of boardwalks, walking paths, fishing opportunities, nature observation, and places to unwind and escape the noise and hustling of South Florida. Connected to the Stranahan River and other bodies of water, this nature center also offers opportunities to go kayaking to see endangered and critical nature. The 1,000+ acre park is a protected space for mangroves, a critically important type of tree that can protect animals, people and even entire cities from rising tides, floodwaters, and other rough weather throughout the hurricane season and beyond.

Part of why most of Florida gets hit very hard when the hurricanes do arrive is because the presence of mangrove forests have dropped dramatically over the years. These trees can thrive in saltwater and freshwater that comes in contact with saltwater. If I ever became governor, I would do whatever it takes to significantly expand the presence of these beautiful trees for the city’s uncertain (and sinking future).

But back to the park, this place also has a very nice observation tower that gives you a nice view of the Atlantic Ocean as well as other regions of South Florida. I didn’t get to experience it, but with the sun rising from the east, I’m sure an early morning visit to the tower will warrant even more beautiful scenery. To compliment the nature space are a couple education centers, a couple aquariums, and even a nice little gift shop that exists to accept donations to keep the place running. Admission is free, so please buy something and do your part.

Hollywood Beach becomes a great spot even at night, as there’s plenty of activity without it feeling like the temptations are hiding around the corner like in South Beach. Live music, sporting-based watch parties, family friendly and adult friendly spots remaining open until very late, and a consistent police presence in the area for those who want to see law enforcement within approachable distance.

This broadwalk has something for everybody, whether it be a quiet beach where you can peacefully connect with nature, or an active beach with Senor Frogs ambiance music blasting in the background. Even if some of classic Florida-isms has disappeared over the years, Hollywood Beach Broadwalk is still a guaranteed good time for everyone, no matter what….well, unless its storming….

P.S. Le Tub, 10 years ago I would have mentioned you but your burgers are not the same. Please go back to the original recipe.