Sunny Isles Beach
Sunny Isles Beach, FL
Sunny Isles Beach runs along a dense strip of high rise condos and resorts north of Miami Beach, its wide sand busier with sunbathers than the quieter residential beaches further up the coast. Two dedicated dog parks in town give pet owners somewhere to go even though the beach itself is off limits to them.
The wide sand and dense resort strip make it a reliable, busy beach town, though the high rise density and no pets policy on the sand itself keep it from standing out among Miami's beach options.
How we score beachesHead to Haulover Beach Park just south if bringing a dog to the actual sand is the goal, its dog beach section runs until 3pm daily. Metered parking through PayByPhone is the standard here, residents get discounted rates if staying with someone local.
Metered parking through PayByPhone is available at public lots, with discounted rates for residents.
Beach accesses along the high rise strip are generally short, flat walks from nearby parking or hotel access points.
Dogs aren't allowed on Sunny Isles Beach itself; Bone Zone at Margolis Park and the Heritage Park Dog Zone are the town's two off-leash options, or Haulover Beach Park just south allows dogs on sand until 3pm.
Winter and spring bring South Florida's driest, mildest weather and the biggest snowbird crowds. Summer's heat and hurricane season, June through November, thin things out despite the warmest water of the year.
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