Best Family Beaches In South Florida

When you live in paradise, one of the perks is being able to hit the beach on the weekends when the weather is gorgeous.  Pack a picnic lunch, grab the kids and you're ready to go.  While some beaches are not exactly family friendly (can you say topless women all over South Beach), others seem just perfect for a day in the sun.  Here's a look at our top five family friendly beaches.

North Hollywood Beach Park

Sheridan Street and A1A

At the north end of Hollywood's beach Broadwalk, the North Beach Park has lots of parking at a flat rate for the entire day.  There are grills in case you want to do an afternoon barbecue and lots of sand so families can spread out and not feel like they are on top of each other.  Concessions are a short walk to the south (pack a cooler - it's easier) and the beach has shower areas.

Dania Beach Ocean Park

100 North Beach Road
Dania Beach, FL  33004

If nearby John U. Lloyd Beach State Park is packed (as it usually is on weekends) head to Dania Beach.  There's lots of parking and it's on a master meter system, so bring a couple of bucks.  This beach area is popular with South Florida families during the summer and Canadian families during the winter.  The bathrooms were recently re-done and the Dania Beach Bar & Grill has some of the best hamburgers and hot dogs in the city.

Crandon Park Beach

4000 Crandon Boulevard
Key Biscayne, Florida 33149
(305) 361-7385
www.key-biscayne.com

This stretch of beach fills up with families from inland Miami on the weekend looking for a fun day in the sun.  Palm trees dot the sand and make shady spots for mom and dad to relax under while the kids have fun.  There are lifeguards, some concessions and picnic areas with grills.  It will cost you a $1.25 to access Key Biscayne and $5 per vehicle for parking.

Matheson Hammock Park Beach

9610 Old Cutler Road
South Miami, FL  33156
(305) 665-5475)
Matheson Hammock Park Beach Website

Fed by the tidal movement of Biscayne Bay, the man-made lagoon is great area for you kids to swim, especially the little ones, because the water stays extremely calm.  Matheson Hammock Park Beach is secluded enough for families to keep an eye on the children. The bathrooms are kept clean and it has some really nice picnic areas.

John U. Lloyd Beach State Park

6503 N. Ocean Drive
Dania Beach, FL  33004
(954) 923-2833
Lloyd Beach Website

This tree filled 251-acre beach park, adjacent to Port Everglades, has lots of picnic tables and grills.  The park sits between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway.  There is a full service restaurant, "The Loggerhead Café"  at the north end which provides canoe and kayak rentals.  This place can be a lot of fun for big family gatherings however it tends to fill up quickly on sunny weekends.