A Selection of Florida's Most Beautiful Beaches, Revisited

Last year we brought you our first annual beaches feature called "A Sampling of Florida's Most Beautiful Beaches." In that feature, we dissected why people love certain Florida beaches, some that are popular with tourists and others that are popular with the LGBT community. I'm back to tell you why we love Florida's beaches, and more importantly, why local tourism bureaus think you'll love them too.

?SOUTHEAST FLORIDA

Miami-Dade County has quite a few stretches of beach that are popular with the LGBT community, including the 12th Street Beach on South Beach and Haulover Beach in Sunny Isles. Miami Beach has welcomed tourists for a century, but don't feel overwhelmed; if you want "the local experience", both of the aforementioned beaches do offer that. The beaches that make up Miami-Dade's coastline are all very gay-friendly.

Lori Lynch, Executive Director of Miami Beach's LGBT Visitor Center, is quick to tell us why people stay around after their beach sojourn. "Miami Beach's miles of sandy coastline are as diverse as its people. The central stretch is a popular area for strolling and jogging thanks to the elevated boardwalk. You can relax under a palm tree in Lummus Park on South Beach, or simply cross Ocean Drive for some of the liveliest caf�s, bars and restaurants in Florida," she told Hotspots.

We heard the same sentiment from George Neary, Director of Cultural Tourism at the Greater Miami Convention Bureau. "There is something for everyone in Miami. If you want something more low-key, one of the public beaches on Key Biscayne is your best bet. Further north at 79th Street and Collins Avenue, discover the largest state park beach, North Shore Open Space Park, a free resource that's just a short walk from restaurants and cafes." I love the recommendations!

As we move north into Broward County, there are lots of fun beaches ready for you to enjoy. In South Broward, there's Hollywood Beach, which is a great place to try jet skiing and parasailing, because the Atlantic waters are very calm here. Then take a walk along the famed Hollywood Beach Broadwalk, which stretches for two miles. If you want something a little more fast-paced, Fort Lauderdale Beach is picturesque and always buzzing with people. It's a place where you can be as active as you like: whether you want to rent a bike and take a fun trip down Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard, or if you just want to bury your toes in the sand under a palm tree with a cool drink in hand, you can do all of that. Make a weekend out of it by staying at the many gay-friendly hotels and guesthouses in the vicinity, some just mere steps from the beach. If you're looking for a gay-friendly stretch, you'll be in luck anywhere you go, but Sebastian Beach is very popular with gay tourists and locals.

What's unique about Broward's beaches? Richard Gray, LGBTQ Managing Director, Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, told me, "In Greater Fort Lauderdale, we brag about our beaches - and for good reason...The laid-back beaches in Broward County feature a carefree vibe that can't be replicated anywhere else. They are highly accessible, feature nesting sea turtles from March through November, and, in addition to their Blue Wave Beach certification, are considered as some of the top beaches in Florida."

Delray Beach and Palm Beach are two popular beaches that bring tourists to Palm Beach County's shores. Delray Beach has been nationally recognized by USA Today for its fun, unique ambience. Highland Beach offers cabana rentals; take them up on the offer and find yourself washed away in pure bliss. Not only does Palm Beach offer great sand and surf, it also offers great shopping (stroll Worth Avenue; you'll be glad you did!). Kreusler Park in particular has so many amenities beachside (including convenient beachside parking).

I asked Ashley Svarney, director of public relations at Discover The Palm Beaches, what sets Palm Beach County's sands apart. She told us that the variety of experiences are impressive. "In addition to lounging under umbrellas, beach-goers in The Palm Beaches can partake in yoga on the beach, explore canopy-covered beachside trails, dance under the full moon or easily walk from the beach to a vibrant district," she told Hotspots.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

Looking at Florida's West Coast, there are a lot of beaches that intrigue locals and tourists alike. For example, Lee County's Sanibel Island and Captiva Island, once one big island before strong 1920s hurricanes, are popular places for the moneyed set. They prefer the laid-back atmosphere and also the beautiful landscape. It is no surprise that Sanibel and Captiva have topped national lists which gauge the most popular areas in the country for second homes.

"Few places in the world have such a wealth of sandy coastline as does The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel," Lee Rose, communications manager at the Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau, told Hotspots. "Much of it [is] undisturbed by man. Visitors enjoy endless stretches of shell-covered beaches (this destination is regarded as one of the best in the world for shell collecting), along with Gulf of Mexico waters full of jumping dolphins and countless bird species."

Then there's Sarasota and Manatee Counties, which feature such beautiful beaches as Siesta Beach, Crescent Beach, Turtle Beach, Anna Maria Island, and the northern part of Lido Beach, which is very popular with gay people and just a ten-minute walk from tony and chic St. Armand's Circle on St. Armand's Key.

"Each beach in Sarasota County offers people a different experience. Brohard Beach is the only dog-friendly beach in Sarasota so dog-lovers flock to this beach. Siesta Beach is known for its 99% quartz-white sand that never gets hot to the touch. Lido is within walking distance to the shops and restaurants on St. Armand's Circle. It's close proximity to downtown Sarasota also attracts many city dwellers," Lynn Hobeck Bates, communications manager at Visit Sarasota County, told Hotspots.

CENTRAL FLORIDA - GULF AND ATLANTIC COASTS

Tampa Bay is home to Clearwater Beach and St. Pete Beach at Pass-a-Grille, the latter more popular with gay sunbathers and the former very popular with all kinds of people. In fact, so many people love coming to the beach in the early evenings that the beach's Pier 60 hosts many fun events during this time of day. Pass-a-Grille is hard to reach but the overall feeling is relaxing and makes you feel like you're in a Northeastern beach escape, like Provincetown.

I asked Leroy Bridges, media and interactive director at Visit St. Pete Clearwater what his beach recommendations were. He said, "You can't beat the variety of beaches in St. Pete/Clearwater. If you're looking for an island to get away from it all, we've got that in Caladesi Island. Looking for a mom-and-pop place to stay and see a dozen people all week? Our middle beaches offer that. And all of them are beautiful white sand beaches with warm Gulf waters."

Moving toward the other coast, Orlando may be landlocked but it's less than an hour's drive to Cocoa Beach, where many Central Floridians go on the weekends to escape the city for a little while. There are many places for you to set down your towel, but I recommend Lori Wilson Park. You can't miss it; it's mere seconds from Ron Jon Surf Shop and "I Dream of Jeannie Lane." Bring your pets too because this is a very friendly beach where you can make a day out of sunning yourself and playing with your pups.

Want to learn more about Florida's beaches? Visit Florida's state tourism website at visitflorida.com