Fort Lauderdale Beach
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Fort Lauderdale Beach runs along a wide promenade lined with palm trees, a cleaned up, more upscale version of the spring break strip this stretch of coast was once known for. The water here stays a genuinely clear turquoise on calm days, closer to what people picture in the Keys than a typical Broward County beach.
The clear water and cleaned up promenade give it a more upscale feel than its spring break reputation suggests, though the limited dog beach hours and steady tourist crowd keep it from being anyone's quiet secret.
How we score beachesCanine Beach, from lifeguard tower 16 to just north of Sunrise Boulevard, only opens to dogs on Friday through Sunday during set hours, so check the schedule before making the trip with a pet. The promenade gets busy at sunset, worth timing a walk for either just before or well after that window if crowds aren't the goal.
Metered street parking runs along A1A, with several public garages nearby for longer stays. Rates climb during peak season and weekends.
The paved beachfront promenade runs the length of the main beach, flat and easy, with regular access points onto the sand. Most of the beach itself is a short, level walk from the promenade.
Dogs are welcome at Canine Beach, from lifeguard tower 16 to 100 yards north of Sunrise Boulevard, Friday through Sunday only during set hours, with an annual permit of 30 dollars for residents or 45 for nonresidents, or a 7 dollar weekend pass.
Winter and spring bring South Florida's driest, mildest weather and the biggest crowds. Summer's heat and hurricane season, June through November, thin things out some on weekdays despite the clearest, warmest water of the year.
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