Friend Sandra - South Florida: an explorers guide ; includes Sarasota, Naples, Miami & the Florida Keys

AN EXPLORERS GUIDE

South Florida

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Website URLs listed in this book were current at the time of publication. If you find information that has changed, let us know at and we will use that in preparing future editions.

Copyright 2010 by Sandra Friend, Trish Riley, and Kathy Wolf

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any way or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages.

South Florida: An Explorers Guide
ISBN: 978-0-88150-870-3

Maps by Mapping Specialists, Ltd., Madison, WI
Cover and interior design by Joanna Bodenweber
Text composition by PerfecType, Nashville, TN

Published by The Countryman Press, P.O. Box 748, Woodstock, Vermont 05091

Distributed by W. W. Norton & Company, 500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110

Printed in the United States of America

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DEDICATION

To Niki and Clyde, for drawing me into the magic of South Florida.

Sandra Friend

To my beautiful children, Rachel and Bud.

Trish Riley

Also by Sandra Friend and Kathy J. Wolf

North Florida & the Florida Panhandle: An Explorers Guide

Also by Sandra Friend

50 Hikes in North Florida

50 Hikes in Central Florida

50 Hikes in South Florida

Along the Florida Trail (with Bart Smith)

Exploring Floridas Botanical Wonders

Florida

Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State

The Hiking Trails of Floridas National Forests, Parks, and Preserves (with Johnny Molloy)

Orlando, Central & North Florida: An Explorers Guide

Sinkholes

Also by Trish Riley

The Complete Idiots Guide to Greening Your Business (with Heather Gadonniex)

The Complete Idiots Guide to Green Living

Great Destinations: Palm Beach, Miami, Fort Lauderdale & the Florida Keys

The Unofficial Guide to the Best RV and Tent Campgrounds in Florida & the Southeast (with Grace Walton)

Welcome to this edition of South Florida: An Explorers Guide, the most comprehensive travel guide youll find covering this region. Weve included attractions, accommodations, restaurants, and shopping on the basis of merit (primarily close personal inspection by your authors) rather than paid advertising. The following points will help you understand how weve organized the guide.

The book starts out with a thumbnail sketch of the most important things to know about traveling in South Florida, from which beaches you should head to first to how to deal with hurricane season. Weve included important contact information for state agencies and advice on what to do when youre on the road.

All selections for accommodations in this guide are based on merit; most of them were inspected personally or by a reliable source known to us. No businesses were charged for inclusion in this guide. Many bed & breakfasts do not accept children under 12 or pets, so if there is not a specific mention in their entry, ask them about their policy before you book a room. Some places have a minimum-stay requirement, especially on weekends or during the high season (winter).

Rates: All rates quoted are for double occupancy, one night, before taxes. When a range of rates is given, it spans the gamut from the lowest of the low season (which varies around the state) to the highest of the high season. A single rate means the proprietor offers only one rate, unless noted and up. Rates for hotels and motels are subject to further discount with programs like AAA and AARP and may be negotiable depending on occupancy. Many places offer reduced rates for Florida residents, and bargains can be had at the last minute and through online booking services. For South Florida, high season is typically January to April.

DINING ON THE BEACH AT SHARKEYS

Sharkeys

Our distinction between Eating Out and Dining Out is based mainly on price, secondarily on atmosphere. Dining in Florida is more casual than anywhere else in the United Statesyoull find folks in T-shirts and shorts walking into the most exclusive restaurants. If a restaurant has a dress code, we note it. Expect Dining Out choices in urban areas to require business casual dress.

Smoking is no longer permitted within restaurants in Florida, if the bulk of the businesss transactions are in food rather than drink. Many restaurants now provide an outdoor patio for smokers.