Beaches/South Beach/Art Deco District, Miami

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South Beach is actually in Miami Beach which is north of Miami. I find this kind of geography very confusing.

I'm not a beach person or a party hearty person, so I haven't been to South Beach, or at least not in a long time, and I've not been to Miami Beach much either.

The Miami Beach website says:

"Miami Beach has a rich history as a trend setting arts center, from the world famous nightclubs of the 50's, to the rich cultural life of today's modern South Beach. The City of Miami Beach has an identity that is intrinsically linked to the arts, and today our entertainment, production and arts communities are stronger than ever. Miami Beach is truly a major international entertainment and cultural destination."

Haulover Beach is a Miami-Dade County park which allows folk to be naked once they get out to the beach. Parking is at lot #1 north parking, and these spots fill up on weekends so get there early unless you want to walk a bit further than you wanted. There is a restroom in between the parking lot and the beach---kind of scuzzy but necessary at times.
The beach itself is lovely and there will be lots of naked folk around----bring sunscreen and drinks with you and sunshade if you need it---I usually go early and leave before the sun gets too hot.....

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South Beach is not just Art Deco and expensive restaurants, it's also... yes, a beach. There are, in effect, two areas of beach fun. The first, which is not separated from the restaurants and night clubs, is replete with volleyball courts, soccer pitches and open-air gyms. The second part, which is protected from the street and the sport activities by a series of dunes, gives out onto the Atlantic Ocean. It is the latter part that is where most people flock to, although it appears that in the evening the area with sports are more popular (you don't need to have a lifeguard on duty for those). The beach is quite pretty and the sand is fine, although not powdery. Remember that this is the Atlantic Ocean, so tides and waves can be quite strong, especially during stormy conditions.

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South Beach is, perhaps, the pinnacle of hedonism. While other parts of the sunshine state specialize in ecotourism or family-friendly vacations, South Beach prides itself on an atmosphere of fun and reckless abandon that both exhilarates and makes you feel ashamed (mainly about the fact that you are nowhere near as beautiful as the regulars). The Art Deco district is a spectacular strip of hotels and stores that have been lovingly preserved to showcase a wonderful piece of American architectural history. The fact that Armani Exchange, Sephora and other mid- to upper-range retailers now occupy these buildings detracts a bit from their architectural beauty, but the fact that a number of the sites are still hotels and bars helps to preserve the character of the area. In particular, it is hard not to feel the aura of South Beach as you pass the crowd at Chesterfields, sipping their drinks and making comments about passers-by in intentionally loud stage whispers. The hotels and restaurants along the beachfront are equally pleasing. The history of the area is fascinating: the Art Deco movement took off in South Beach in the 1930s thanks to the destruction caused by a hurricane in 1926. It was taken over by the Air Force during WWII and afterwards became a centre for retirees, soon followed by drug dealers and a criminal element. South Beach's current status of jetset playground is thanks in large part to conservationists and architectural enthusiasts who sought to protect the Art Deco buildings in the late 1980s.

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Espanola Way is a short and narrow pedestrain alley in the heart of South Beach – with low-rise buildings in pastel colours (pink predominantly) which used to be an artists’ district. It really has the feeling of an old and traditional Spanish village, though it is not – as it was designed by the very American Robert Taylor in 1925.

Espanola Way is full of bars, restaurants, art galleries and quaint shops… and it comes to life only in the mid-afternoon, really... and the parety goes on until the wee hours of the morning.

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The art deco district is located in South Beach and it is an area which has over 800 art-deco buildings from the 1930s and 40s, which have been restored and are now protected. You’ll recognize them by their pastel-colours which are in contrast with their architecture.

The buildings are painted in a gentle way but their structure is rigid and cubistic-like in their geometry – reminding you of machines and motions. Look at the decorations, because they are peculiar, too: nautical motifs, neon lines, terrazzo floors.

One of the best examples is the 1937 post office at 1300 Washington Avenue, which is a roundish building complete with murals and a fountain

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They say it is the best beach for people-watching – but when we visited, somewhat off-season in February, the beach was nearly deserted. We saw a few people jogging or exercising – and some even swimming in the Ocean’s cold waters – but the beach was far from being packed.

We enjoyed strolling all along it – and there was always something new going on: either a newly-wed couple toasting with champagne to their new life together, or the odd resident with a metal detector looking for coins or lost jewellery. But above all, we soaked in the relaxing atmosphere and tranquillity.

Ocean Drive is a street in South Beach running along the Ocean – as the name suggests. It is known for its Art Deco buildgins and hotels which line the street. It’s full of restaurants and bars – mostly offering cheap “speacials” and it’s great for people-watching.

We found it very relaxing and pleasant in the morning – and buzzing with activity in the afternoon – especially on Sunday, when it was jam-packed with people “posing and showing off”… either their new clothes or their posh cars and motorbikes.