{"id":247379,"date":"2026-04-26T15:53:14","date_gmt":"2026-04-26T15:53:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/247379\/"},"modified":"2026-04-26T15:53:14","modified_gmt":"2026-04-26T15:53:14","slug":"the-south-florida-slow-burn-shore-thats-finally-having-its-big-moment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/247379\/","title":{"rendered":"The South Florida ‘Slow-Burn’ Shore That\u2019s Finally Having Its Big Moment"},"content":{"rendered":"

Finding a beach town that still feels “local” in South Florida is the ultimate travel win. While the headlines usually go to the neon lights of South Beach or the high-rises of Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood Beach has been sitting quietly in the middle, waiting for its moment. But the secret is officially out. Recently ranked among Tripadvisor\u2019s 2026 Best of the Best U.S. beaches<\/a>, Hollywood is currently undergoing a $1 billion transformation. It\u2019s a place where historic charm\u2014like the iconic 2.5-mile oceanfront Broadwalk\u2014meets a new wave of wellness-centric luxury and world-class dining. For travelers looking for a smarter alternative to the intensity of its neighbors, Hollywood Beach is the emerging hotspot to book now.<\/p>\n

Related: This Florida Gem is Celebrating a Century of Barefoot Luxury<\/a><\/p>\n

The $1 Billion Glow-Up and the Allure of the Broadwalk\"Hollywood<\/p>\n

Hollywood beach Florida broadwalk sunny morning USA&Tab;Julie Deshaies for Getty<\/p>\n

Hollywood Beach has always had the fundamentals: beautiful beaches, great weather and a genuine sense of community. According to Raimundo Onetto, CEO of Alta Developers, “What\u2019s changing is a broader recognition of its value and the lifestyle it naturally offers. That’s exactly why we saw it as the right moment to build GAIA here, to grow alongside a neighborhood that’s coming into its own.” You still get the full South Florida lifestyle, nestled between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, but at a more approachable price point and relaxed pace. This authenticity is anchored by the Broadwalk, where Onetto notes you\u2019ll see people out for a run, swimming or paddleboarding, giving the whole area a sense of movement and life. It all adds up to something that feels genuine in a way the more built-up markets don’t anymore.<\/p>\n

Related: I\u2019ve Been on 5 Cruises This Year\u2014This New Downtown Miami Hotel Is My Secret to a Stress-Free Port Morning<\/a><\/p>\n

Elevated Stays and the New Rules of Relaxation\"Hollywood,<\/p>\n

Hollywood, FL, USA – September 26, 2021: Aerial drone photo of The Diplomat on Hollywood Beach FL&Tab;felixmizioznikov for Getty<\/p>\n

Hollywood is moving away from being just a place you visit and becoming a complete lifestyle destination where fitness is built into the geography<\/a>. As Onetto puts it, “Hollywood is maturing in a meaningful way. Full-service residential projects are emerging alongside lifestyle elements\u2014fitness, dining, health\u2014that make it feel like a complete place to live.”<\/p>\n

That shift is visible in the new studios popping up blocks from the sand. At AMAR\u00c9 Wellness Studio, the vibe is less “performance pressure” and more community connection. You can drop in for everything from Reformer and Hot Pilates to Barre and even high-energy Kangoo Jump classes. As founder Shirley Shlafman explains, “There\u2019s a growing interest here in places that support both movement and well-being… wellness is becoming part of the lifestyle, not just something occasional.” For those who want a more boutique, classical approach, the highly anticipated Hollywood Reforming is also joining the neighborhood this spring, bringing the kind of wait-listed Pilates expertise usually reserved for Miami\u2019s private clubs.<\/p>\n

Even the hotel scene is pivoting toward wellness as a way of life. Shlafman recommends The Diplomat\u2014which is officially entering its new era as a Signia by Hilton this May\u2014for a “polished South Florida resort feel,” and Lyfe Resort for a modern atmosphere that makes a trip to Hollywood Beach feel “a little more special.”<\/p>\n

A Moveable Feast from the Intracoastal to the Farmers Market\"crab<\/p>\n

crab claws&Tab;RobertoMontoya for Getty<\/p>\n

The culinary landscape here is shifting just as quickly, with high-end hospitality concepts moving in to meet the new demand. New York\u2019s iconic Patrizia\u2019s officially opened its splashy new waterfront location in Hallandale Beach just last week (April 17), bringing its “dock-and-dine” party vibe and Neapolitan classics to the Intracoastal. Just minutes away, London\u2019s glamorous Signor Sassi recently made its grand U.S. debut, introducing a level of international prestige and “refined polish” that is entirely new to the neighborhood.<\/p>\n

For a more classic experience, Billy\u2019s Stone Crab remains a mandatory stop. As Shlafman notes, “It sits right on the water, the service is consistently excellent and it delivers that classic South Florida experience. During stone crab season, it\u2019s a must.” (Pro tip: You have until May 1st to catch the end of the fresh stone crab window.) For a deeper look into the local spirit, both experts point to the Yellow Green Farmers Market, a massive 100,000-square-foot open-air destination. Shlafman explains, “It\u2019s not a restaurant, but it captures the spirit of the neighborhood better than most, with a wide mix of vendors and local offerings in one place.”<\/p>\n

Related:\u00a07 Best Places to Visit in Florida, According to Getaway Guru Helene Sula<\/a><\/p>\n

Morning Rituals and Secret Coffee Stops\"OcuDrone<\/p>\n

OcuDrone Aerial PhotographyCredit&colon;&Tab;Robert DelVecchio – OcuDrone<\/p>\n

The day in Hollywood often starts with a quiet morning bite at a local favorite. Shlafman highlights ZUKA as a top recommendation, noting, “It\u2019s the kind of place I\u2019d happily recommend to friends because it feels stylish, inviting and fits the more elevated lifestyle side of Hollywood that people are starting to notice more.” For those who prefer an old-school neighborhood feel, Onetto points to J.P.\u2019s Bagel Place, which “has been around for decades and still carries that old-school neighborhood feel. It\u2019s simple, consistent and a great way to start the day.” Another personal favorite is Farmer\u2019s Milk, providing that perfect morning fuel before heading out to the ArtsPark at Young Circle or the newly renovated Hollywood Beach Golf Club, which recently underwent a $16 million reimagining to blend Golden Age architecture with modern performance.<\/p>\n

Mangroves, Marinas, and the Quiet Side of the Coast\"HOLLYWOOD,<\/p>\n

HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA, USA: Entrance to Anne Kolb Nature Center. Anne Kolb is a free Broward County public park with walking and paddling trails through mangroves, as seen on February 18, 2023.&Tab;JillianCain for Getty<\/p>\n

Beyond the sand, the natural beauty of Hollywood offers a slower pace that stands in stark contrast to its busier neighbors. The Anne Kolb Nature Center is a must-do, offering mangrove trails, kayaking through the Intracoastal, and observation points overlooking a preserved landscape. Onetto describes the Intracoastal around sunset<\/a> as “Hollywood’s quieter side, whether you’re walking the waterfront or lingering near the marinas.” This ability to move effortlessly between the beach, nature and the water\u2014without it ever feeling dense or overbuilt\u2014is exactly why Hollywood is trending. As Onetto puts it, “What makes Hollywood stand out is how effortlessly you move between settings\u2014beach, nature, waterfront\u2014without it ever feeling dense or overbuilt.” It is the ultimate alternative for those who want the South Florida dream without the South Florida intensity.<\/p>\n

Related: These 5 \u2018Analog\u2019 Florida Towns Are Trending for Spring Break 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

This story was originally published by Parade<\/a> on Apr 26, 2026, where it first appeared in the Travel<\/a> section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Finding a beach town that still feels “local” in South Florida is the ultimate travel win. While the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":247380,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[28,249,251,250,51448,686,12753,108641,108642,807],"class_list":["post-247379","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-fort-lauderdale","tag-florida","tag-fort-lauderdale","tag-fort-lauderdale-headlines","tag-fort-lauderdale-news","tag-hallandale-beach","tag-hollywood","tag-hollywood-beach","tag-raimundo-onetto","tag-shirley-shlafman","tag-south-florida"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/247379","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=247379"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/247379\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/247380"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=247379"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=247379"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=247379"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}