Young Professionals Network meet-up at Fort Lauderdale Beach
Fort Lauderdale Beaches
Fort Lauderdale Beach
DESCRIPTION: Its one of America’s most memorable beaches for having a blend of great beach weather, clean beaches, plenty of hotels, bars, restaurants and gift shops facing the beach. It used to be overwhelmingly populated during college spring break, but upscale hotels replacing cheap motels have chased most of the students away. In many ways its a more family-friendly version of Miami Beach. Rent a chair and umbrella to shade against the blazing sun while taking in ocean breezes; plenty of room to roller-skate, grills to barbeque and tables to picnic; metered parking is strictly enforced — don’t ruin a good time and sightseeing with a ticket.
ADDRESS: Harbor Drive North on AIA Highway to Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL MAP
Pompano Beach
DESCRIPTION: Often called the Heart of the Gold Coast, Pompano Beach waterfront is known for its excellent boating and fishing. A pleasant bonus is the offshore coral reef accessible to scuba divers and snorkelers. Fishermen flock to the 1,000-foot-long municipal fishing pier, beachside playgrounds, grills and picnic tables.
The annual holiday boat parade in December, seafood festival in April, and fishing rodeo in May are big attractions.
ADDRESS: Northern tip of Dania Beach, FL; MAP
Hallandale Beach
DESCRIPTION: In a city better known for Gulfstream horse racing, a casino and greyhound racing, the small beachront is overshadowed by high rise condos and hotels. Its great for residents, but not as much fun for visitors as nearby Hollywood Beach or Fort Lauderdale Beach.
ADDRESS: South of Hollywood Beach, Hallandale, FL MAP
Historic Colored Beach in Greater Fort Lauderdale
Colored Beach
DESCRIPTION: Prior to desegregation, African Americans had limited access to the beach. They could only visit when European Americans chose not to visit. After civic activists lobbied and demonstrated in the 1950s, the northern tip of Dania Beach was purchased and designated by the county as Colored Beach. Even then, it required an undependable boat through swampland to reach the beach on Atlantic Ocean-facing inlet. After the 1961 Wade-in at Fort Lauderdale Beach, a bridge was finally built that enabled easy access to Colored Beach. A few years later all South Florida Beaches were integrated. In 2016, John Lloyd State Park containing Colored Beach from 1954 to the 1960s, was renamed Von D. Mizell and Eula Johnson State Park in honor of the civil rights activists who led the wade-ins that eventually integrated South Florida beaches.
ADDRESS: Northern tip of Dania Beach, Dania, FL MAP
Hollywood Beach
DESCRIPTION: There’s more than 5 miles of palm-shaded beach with picnic tables and volleyball nets at some locations; lifeguards on duty, restrooms and showers at this public beach. Arrive early for the best spots, feed the meter or use a nearby parking lot.
ADDRESS: AIA Highway from Hallandale Beach Blvd up to John Lloyd State Recreation Area, Hollywood, FL MAP
