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Here, our favorite spots along the Sunshine State’s 1,197-mile coastline, from the Panhandle to the Keys. There’s no shortage of powder-fine sand, national parks, and scenes that are both cocktail-friendly and kid-friendly.
1. South Beach, Miami
Why we love it: Art Deco, A-listers, hot hotels, some of the best cocktails in the U.S.: Florida’s most famous beach is more about the “scene” than warm waters and golden sands (which are also Instagram-worthy).
2. Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne
Why we love it: This quiet, mile-long beach on the southern tip of Key Biscayne is located a bridge — and a world — away from downtown Miami. Peek inside the circa-1845 Cape Florida Lighthouse (South Florida’s oldest structure), and consider renting a bike to explore Key Biscayne to the fullest — there’s an extensive network of bike trails across the entire island, doling out superb Miami skyline views.
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3. Fort Lauderdale Beach
Why we love it: The Pabst Blue Ribbon–strewn sands, Hawaiian Tropic oil slicks, and packed motels of yesteryear’s spring break capital are no longer. Nowadays, uncluttered stretches of sand, sparkling blue waters, upscale resorts, and mega-yachts are rewriting the beach’s history.
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4. Blowing Rocks Preserve, Hobe Sound
Why we love it: An ethereal, 100,000-year-old limestone shelf and crystalline waters underscore the natural grandeur of this Nature Conservancy–protected beach on Jupiter Island. No wonder it’s a favorite nesting ground for loggerhead sea turtles.
Courtesy Caladesi Island State Park
5. Caladesi Island State Park, Dunedin
Why we love it: Accessible only by ferry from nearby Honeymoon Island State Park, this completely untouched, 3.5-mile-long island feels like a giant sandbar saved for the lucky few. Here, cerulean water meets white sand with mounds of beautiful seashells.
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