By Candace Davison
| Jul. 11, 2022
Additional reporting by Clarissa Buch
Florida may be known as the Sunshine State, but it might as well rebrand itself as the Shoreline State. With 8,436 miles of shoreline—second only to Alaska, which arguably, has less beach-friendly weather year-round—the peninsula has no shortage of beaches. But that doesn’t mean that you can plan your dream beach vacation just anywhere. Do you want something close to the city or with a private island feel? Are you planning on soaking up the sun all day or do you want a spot that offers activities, too? And if you’re bringing your kids or dog, then that changes things as well. That’s why we turned to a few locals to spill the tea on the best beaches in Florida that are absolutely worth slathering up in sunscreen and planning a road trip. Consider your next beach trip planned.
1. JOHN D. MACARTHUR BEACH STATE PARK
• Location: North West Palm Beach
• Why We Love It: private island feel, family friendly, water activities
West Palm (and the immediate surrounding areas) boasts 15 percent of its land dedicated to public green space, beaches and landmarks. One of our absolute favorites includes John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, which is considered an environmental treasure. This hidden beach spans nearly two miles with plenty of picturesque (and quiet!) stretches of sand—in fact, it’s so quiet, you’ll feel like you’re on a private island.