If you live in the US this is the place to spend your winters. The waves are consistent, the crowds in the water are few, and the weather is hard to beat. I’m going to share with you some of my favorite places that you must check out and give you local tips along the way. Enjoy!
St. Augustine
St. Augustine is a beautiful, historical, but touristy town. It is the oldest city in the US with some great beaches, cobblestone streets, and good food. I drove the 4 hours up to St. Augustine the day after my 26th birthday and planned to check out the town and possibly stay there a night. I arrived in the afternoon and was surprised by how many people were around. There were trolleys taxiing people to and from tourist destinations and parking spots were scarce. I drove past the Castillo de San Marcos which was packed and decided to check out the main streets first. I had read that Magnolia Avenue was a beautiful street with a live oak canopy covered in Spanish moss. It is definitely worth checking out. Beyond seeing this street and getting my ears pierced at Ms. Deborah’s Fountain of Youth (A great spot and only $35 to pierce your ears!) my time in downtown St. Augustine was up. I do not enjoy crowded touristy areas where parking is difficult. If you do visit you should try to check out Castillo de San Marcos at sunrise as I heard that was a view you should experience.
Eat
-The Reef: Located in Vilano Beach just north of St. Augustine. This dinner made my drive to St. Augustine completely worth it. I had not planned on stopping but when I passed it on the beach road I knew this would be where I would have dinner. I love the siding on this beach restaurant and knowing it is waterfront seafood dining, I was sold. As it was late November when I visited it was chilly and closing in on sunset. I asked for a table outside and put on my coat. The waiter was very friendly and helpful and I ordered a beer and the Lobster Risotto. The meal was so delicious and creamy and the views were spectacular. Dolphins swam by, pelicans flew past, and dogs enjoyed their sunset beach walk with their owners.
Do
-Walk the streets: Walk down to Magnolia Avenue and enjoy the Oak trees covered in Spanish moss.
Flagler
Flagler is a little piece of heaven. Pastel houses line the quiet beach roads to the left. Owners can walk just across the road to a beautiful long beach. There are no chains and only a few restaurants and bars with rooftop seating.
Do
-Go to the beach.
Ormond Beach
Eat
-Donnie’s Donuts: The BEST donuts I have had hands down. Old fashioned-style donuts with fresh delicious toppings. If you go you have to try the strawberry shortcake! They have another location in New Symrna.
Do
-Go to the beach.
New Symrna
Eat
-Mason Bar: This may still be my favorite açaí bowl. They spread peanut butter around the inside of your bowl and top with fresh fruit. So good!
-Donnie’s Donuts: The other location is in Ormond Beach. Vintage donuts with modern charm and sooo good!
-Go Juice: I first went to Go Juice at their location in Nosara, Costa Roca. They have great cold brew, smoothies, açaí bowls and even banana coffee!
-JB’s Fish Camp: A great spot for seafood, live music, and they have a dock if you want to drive your boat up.
Do
-Check out the beach and Flagler St.
-Walk left from Flagler St along the beach to the Inlet. Check out the dunes on your way back.
-Take the scenic route to Playalinda: Playalinda is within a state park and entrance to the beach is $15 for the day. The beach is good for surfing and also known as a nude beach. Make sure you check out the turn offs on the way down. There is even an area where you can see manatees if you are lucky!
Cocoa Beach
One of my favorite spots to surf in the waves the south are too small. Kelly Slater’s hometown!
Eat
-Green Room: A healthy cafe with a great veggie chili burrito and smoothies.
-The Skinny Mermaid: If you are missing out on beans and rice or Pico de Gallo this is your spot to go! They also have half size bowls if you are not feeling as hungry.
-Cafe Surfinista: The go-to spot after a surf. Iced coffee, smoothies, açaí bowls, avocado on toast…what more could you want! They also have a location in Indialantic.
-Da Kine Diego’s Insane Burritos: Awesome burritos – veggie options as well!
Do
-Surf the pier: A fun spot to surf if it is small everywhere else. You can hear tunes from the pier and take party waves to the shore.
-Surf 3rd St: This is where I started to surf during quarantine as they closed the beach parking. There is a little sandbar here that helps form the waves a little better and a great group of surfers.
-Surf 4th St South: Another spot similar to the two before. If it is a busy day in the water in Cocoa this is a good bet for a lesser crowded surf.
-Surf High Tower: High Tower is down the road at Satellite beach. This may have been one of my favorite surfs in Florida. There was a decent swell and this spot delivered great longboarding waves that lasted all the way to the beach.
Vero Beach
This town has an older retired community but a great spot to stop on a road trip.
Eat
-Countryside Citrus: This is the real draw. Frozen fresh orange juice with soft serve vanilla ice cream. Definitely worth the detour!
Fort Pierce
A quiet town that is known for decent surf at the inlet.
Eat
-Manatee: A great seafood spot with live music and views of the ocean.
Do
-Surf the Inlet: This surf spot is better for shortboards as the waves are punchier and break quickly.
-Go to Walton Rocks Beach: This is one of my favorite spots if you want a quiet beach walk. The actual beach is a dog beach and I usually walk left at the entrance. If you walk about two miles down you will come upon a beach called Blind Creek which is a nude beach. Up until that point I usually do not see a soul after 10 minutes.
Jensen
Do
-Surf: I usually surf here if the winds are good and waves are 2-3ft for longboarding.
Stuart
Eat
-Modern Juice: One of my favorite places to go for a poke bowl. They also have açaí bowls and smoothies.
-Dune Dog Cafe: A great seafood spot with another location in Jupiter. I had the fried fish sandwich which was huge! Clam chowder and an orange creamsicle made the cut as well.
-Ital Bowls: An awesome açaí bowl, smoothie, and coffee truck with the healthiest and freshest ingredients. Try their peanut butter coffee! Located right next to Ohana Surf Shop.
Do
-Bathtub Beach: Bathtub Beach is known as a good spot for snorkeling. Not far off the shore there is a coral reef that is shallow and easy to snorkel. Do not stand on the reef or disturb the coral or sea life. This beach is also a favorite for families with young kids as the reef blocks the waves from coming in as strong. These pictures below are the beaches to the left of Bathtub Beach and are much rockier.
-Ohana Surf Shop: A great surf shop that rents, buys, and sells boards. I have rented a board here for a friend and picked up some fins and parts for a single fin. Awesome people and customer service!
Jupiter
Eat
-Rocksteady: A great smoothie and açaí bowl cafe.
-Perk Coffee Roasters: A great cafe with a healthy menu and delicious coffee.
Do
-John D Mac Arthur State Park: This is a beautiful state park that only costs $4 to enter if you are by yourself. A long walkway to the quiet beach with the option of a golf cart ride for those who are not as able. They offer kayak rentals at the visitor center and have bathrooms there as well. Once you cross the walk way there is a small pathway you can check out will a variety of different plants and trees all labeled. Spend the majority of your time at the quiet beaches. A refreshing change from the usual packed southern Florida beaches.
-Go to the beach and surf! I like Coral Cove the best and a great place to surf at low tide. Be aware there are rocks and be careful on your exit and entry.
Juno
Eat
-Papa Kwans: A healthy cafe with great avocado on toast, coffee, and baked goods.
Do
-Check out the beach.
Riviera
Do
-Go to the beach.
-Check out the markets.
West Palm Beach/Palm Beach
Eat
-Grandview Public Market: A large open area marketplace in the industrial section of West Palm. There is a surf shop, another small store, bars, restaurants, a surf museum, and live music weekly. One of my favorite places to go!
-Lechon Tropical: Delicious tropical food that takes you back on vacation with its classic rice, beans, and veggies.
-Lokanta: Greek food is served here and I always get the ginger mint lemonade they make fresh daily.
-Pumphouse Coffee Roasters: They make a good dirty chai and have a great cinnamon roll.
-Gypsy Life Surf Shop: All the latest and greatest surfboards, clothes, jewelry, skateboards, gifts, and ukuleles. They have braid bars, ukulele lessons, and weekly music jams. Great customer service and friendly staff!
-Clare’s: Try their Waffle Bites! Chicken deep-fried in waffle batter and served with blueberry mint maple syrup.
-Poke Lab Eatery: Build your own poke bowl!
Do
-Surf North Palm Beach: North Palm Beach is a hidden gem that is usually pretty quiet mainly due to lack of parking spots. Park along North Ocean Way at your own risk.
-Longboard the Lake Trail: A trail on the west side of Palm Beach Island that runs along the water.
-Longboard the streets: There are some wide pathways great for longboarding between Atlantic Ave and the Palm Beach Country Club along North County Road. Park at your own risk-there are no “No Parking ” signs within the residential area but I have seen parking officers drive up and down these roads.
-Surfing Florida Museum: Located in the alley way along side Grandview Market. A great spot to spend some time learning about the history of surfing in Florida.
-Renegades: A country line dancing bar that offers free line dancing classes weekly.
-Go to the markets. A large variety of vendors selling fruits and vegetables, baked goods, and crafts. Bring cash as most vendors do not take cards.
-Clematis St: The main downtown of West Palm Beach with numerous bars and restaurants.
-Go to Ocean Reef Park: A rockier beach with plenty of sand to sunbath and a few natural blow holes.
Wellington
Do
-Go to a Grand Prix Show Jumping Event at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. This is great to do with friends or your family! They have food trucks, a petting zoo, a couple bars, pony rides, a carousel, face painters, street performers, and a few high end equestrian stores.
Lake Worth
Do
-Go to the beach. At this beach there is a restaurant and beach store right at the beach. They also have bathrooms and a bar at the start of the pier called Bennys on the Beach.
Boynton Beach
Eat
-Jupiter Donuts: Awesome donuts made fresh daily and sold out quick.
-Tropical Smoothie Cafe: This is a chain and awesome smoothies, quesadillas, and sandwiches.
-Nomads Juice Truck: Great cold brew and smoothies located right next to Nomad’s Surf Shop.
Do
-Go to the beach – Gulfstream Park offers free parking, picnic and bbq areas, a playground, bathrooms, and showers. My go-to local beach.
-Ocean Ridge Hammock Park Beach: Another beach with free parking. When you get to the beach walk left to the Boynton Inlet.
Delray Beach
My home for the past year. A great downtown on Atlantic Avenue and loads of good spots to eat. The beach is usually very busy compared to Boynton.
Eat
-BurgerFi: I am a regular here. I would say this is similar to In and Out. Great fresh ingredients and great customer service. They have their own sauce and make great burgers and milkshakes.
-The Office: A busy place right on the corner of Atlantic Avenue. Brunch is big here and they have bottomless mimosas.
-Anthony’s Pizza: A chain pizza spot with an awesome roasted cauliflower pizza.
-Subculture Coffee: They have a few locations in Florida and are a great spot to get some computer work done, enjoy a coffee, and even have open mic nights.
-Coffee District: A coffee shop and bar. They have open mic nights here weekly and a good variety of beers.
-Bear’s Food Shack: A Hawaiian healthy food spot to get your tacos, poke bowls, and smoothies.
-Planet Juice: Great variety of fresh juices and smoothies.
-Whole Fresh Cafe: Try their poke bowls, Mexi bowl, and juices!
-Sloan’s Ice Cream: A classic ice cream and candy shop.
-Tin Roof: The town’s country bar that is usually packed. Live music, trivia nights, pineapple carving at Halloween, and karaoke nights.
-The OG: A small old school bar with great drinks and people.
-Necter: A great spot to go for a green smoothie!
-Haagen Dazs: Get your seasonal peppermint ice cream here!
Do
-Go to the beach. Parking can be hectic here but there is a big lot next to the Sandoway Discovery Center.
-Longboard, bike, or walk on Lyons Road: If you park at Walgreens off of Boynton Beach Boulevard and Lyons Road you can take the trail to the left. To be honest this isn’t the best trail for longboarding as it isn’t that smooth but good for biking.
-Go for a walk at Delray Oaks Natural Area.
-Go to West Delray Regional Park for a Longboard sesh: Right at the west end of Atlantic Avenue. This park has a variety of activities to do and some good smooth roads for longboarding.
Boca Raton
Eat
-Duck Donuts: Donuts made right in front of you that you can top however you like.
-3 Natives: A healthy smoothie cafe with the best avocado on toast topped with mango, sprouts and a little cayenne. There are several locations throughout Florida.
-Aloha Poke Bowls: This is a chain and they have it figured out! Delicious fresh tuna and all the toppings!
-Fit Foods Cafe: Great smoothies, juices, and baked goods. They also have meals – I just generally go for a smoothie.
-First Watch: A great breakfast/brunch chain in Florida. Try their Million Dollar Bacon, pancakes, and avocado on toast.
Deerfield Beach
Eat
-Flannigans: Pina Colada and Mozzarella sticks. This location is close to the beach and great for a quick drink or some food.
-Ocean Grille: Poke bowl. A Peruvian restaurant with a great take on the classic poke bowl.
Do
– Go to the beach.
-Go to Island Water Sports: I bought my second hand 9ft longboard here and got a lot of great help from the people who work here. If you are looking for anything water-related this is the spot to go!
Ft Lauderdale
Eat
-Park and Ocean: An awesome little bar inside the park that has great drinks and appetizers. A couple of great bartenders work here and they have live music on the weekend. Try their conch fritters!
-Myapapaya Juicery: A healthy cafe with great açaí bowls and a variety of other health foods.
Do
-Hugh Taylor Birch State Park: A beautiful small state park with a loop to longboard around.
-Go to the beach.
-Volunteer as a dog walker at Abandoned Pet Rescue: An awesome non profit. If you want to be a regular dog walker during the day you can do two training days and then walk at your leisure with these awesome dogs. They have a great and safe system for everything! There is also a night every week either Tuesday or Thursday where you can show up even if you haven’t done any training and walk the dogs. Adopt don’t shop!
Stay
-Pelican Beach Resort – This hotel prides itself as being the only spot in the US to rent out Seedos, an underwater motorized machine that you can use on the top of the water or go below. Great rooms, restaurant, and the ideal spot to have a mini vacation.
Miami
Eat
-Valentino’s Pizza: Sooo good and only $3.75 a slice!
-Versailles: Get an authentic Cuban sandwich.
-Concrete Beach Brewery: A good spot to take a break on a hot day in Miami.
-Veza Sur Brewery: Try their frozen beers!
Do
-Walk around Wynwood Walls and check out all the art!
-Go to South Beach.
The Keys
As Jimmy Buffet says “The lower the attitude the better the attitude”.
This is a road trip you must do at least once! The drive from West Delray is about 4 hours. I only stayed one night here but if you are out on a snorkeling trip, fishing, or boating definitely spend more than one night! Make sure to try as much food as you can as it is all delicious!
Eat
-Cuban Coffee Queen: Awesome coffee down by the docks. They open early and it is really nice to get up and walk around before the streets get crowded.
-Thirsty Mermaid: Go for happy hour any day from 4-6pm. $5 appetizers and $2 pints of Mermaid Lager. I had the lager, mac and cheese croquette, and ceviche.
-Key Lime Pie Co: I had the classic chocolate covered Key Lime Pie and it was SO good!
-Sunset Pier: Head this way an hour before sunset to grab a seat. They have live music and great Rum Runners!
-Glazed: Delicious artesian donuts. Try their Key Lime Pie!
-Garbo’s Grill: Taco food truck served out of an air stream. I had the Yum Yum tacos and SO good! They had live music on as well!
-Blue Heaven: A very popular brunch spot. I had eggs & grits and fresh squeezed orange juice.
Do
-Bahia Honda State Park: Located on Big Pine Key this state park offers a small beach and some camping spots.
-Smather’s Beach: Located on Key West and the beach to go to if you want a typical day in the sun.
-Mallory Square: Very close to sunset pier. Head this way after sunset and check out all the performers.
Stay
-NYAH (Not Your Average Hotel): I stayed here just one night and its the cheapest place to stay in the Keys. I think I spent around $80 for a bed in a 4 person women’s dorm. They have lockers, AC, a TV, WiFi, bathroom, and mini fridge. The location has two pools and a hot tub, breakfast, a bar, and isn’t far from the Main Street.
Marcos Island
Located on the west coast of Florida this town along with Naples is mainly home to the retired snowbird population.
Eat
-Doreen’s Cup of Joe: A very popular breakfast spot with awesome eggs benny and donut holes.
-Go to Snook Inn for a drink and live music on the water.
Do
-Go to Keewaydin Island by boat and have an ice cream.
-Go to JD Marriott for Sunset.
Sanibel Island
A great place to go to have a mini vacation within Florida.
Eat
-The Bubble Room: Try their Orange Crunch Cake and Pina Coladas. A very eccentric restaurant where the bartenders wear Boy Scout uniforms, there are weird little statues everywhere, and you feel like you have stepped back in time.
Do
-Watch the sunset at the Mucky Duck. (Avoid eating here as the food is not great)
-Visit Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve in Cape Coral.
Stay
-Air BnB Garden Bungalow located in Cape Coral. A refurbished garden shed with an outdoor shower.
Anna Maria Island
Eat
-The Sand Bar: Key Lime Pie. This restaurant is located right on the beach and has indoor and outdoor seating.
-Rod Reel Pier: An awesome seafood restaurant located on the end of a short pier with many fisherman catching fish as you wait.
-Island Coffee Roasters: Great coffee in a cute little shop.
Do
-Go to the first surf shop in Florida: West Coast Surf Shop established in 1964.
-Go to the beach.
Saint Petersberg
Eat
-Paciugo: GELATO!!!
-Caddy’s Pub: Located in Indian Shores just south of Clearwater Beach. A great seafood restaurant right on the water.
Do
-Go to the beach.
Tampa
Do
-Check out Armature Works: An indoor marketplace with different restaurants and a great place to grab a meal.
It has been a great year in Florida!I hope you enjoy all my favorite spots and check them out too!
the nomadic nanny 