If Fort Lauderdale Beach is the polished postcard, Hollywood Beach is the family album: a brick-paved promenade called the Broadwalk running roughly two and a half miles along the sand from Jefferson Street north to Sheridan Street and Hollywood North Beach Park, with no wall of traffic between the walkway and the water. It is free, open all day, and built for strolling, jogging and cycling, with a separate lane for bikes and a steady line of outdoor cafes, ice-cream counters, beach-gear shops and casual seafood spots facing the ocean. The mood is relaxed and multigenerational, with French-Canadian snowbirds, local families and young couples sharing the same benches. The Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort anchors the middle of the Broadwalk, and its dockside and beach bars draw a crowd for live music and sunset. At the north end, the dog beach is one of the few on this coast where leashed dogs can join their owners on the sand on set days. Rentals for paddleboards and pontoons operate along the Intracoastal side, and fishing charters leave from nearby marinas. Parking is the one friction point: meters and garages fill on winter weekends, so arrive early or ride the Water Taxi's southern route when it runs. Go in the morning for cool walking and come back for sunset.
Hollywood was laid out in the early 1920s by developer Joseph Young, who wanted a South Florida answer to Atlantic City, and the Broadwalk was paved almost at once; a grand beach casino with an Olympic-sized pool followed in 1924, before the 1926 hurricane ended the boom. The promenade has outlasted every storm and redevelopment wave since. A 2007 revitalisation added the separate walking, jogging and cycling lanes, coquina walls, historic-style lamps and shielded lighting that keeps nesting sea turtles from being drawn inland, and in 2011 the Broadwalk became part of the East Coast Greenway, the trail network that runs from Key West to Maine.
It works because it is human-scale
Low buildings, small storefronts and an unbroken view of the Atlantic. The beach itself is wide, golden and lifeguarded in the central stretches, and the water is usually calmer than the reputation of Florida's Atlantic side suggests.
How to do it well
Start at the south end for coffee, walk north with the ocean on your right, stop at the Margaritaville stretch for lunch or a drink, and continue to North Beach Park, where the dunes are greener and the crowds thinner. Cyclists can rent bikes and cover the whole promenade in under an hour. Along the way, the historic bandshell at Johnson Street hosts live music, Charnow Park at Connecticut Street adds a garage, playground and courts, and beach mats run out onto the sand at points for wheelchair access.
Dozens of small, family-run motels and inns still line the walk, which keeps the scale low and the crowd mixed. Recurring events include a big Independence Day celebration, a December holiday parade and a cheerful Groundhog Day ocean dip.
Candour
The Broadwalk is busy in winter and on holiday weekends, some storefronts are dated, and parking costs add up. None of that dents the appeal. Pair it with a paddle at the Anne Kolb Nature Center across the Intracoastal, or base yourself at the Margaritaville resort for a beach stay with a small-town feel.
What to expect
The experience
A free, brick-paved oceanfront promenade with a separate bike lane, cafes, shops and lifeguarded beach, running from Jefferson Street to North Beach Park.
Best time
Early morning for cool walking and easy parking; sunset for the Margaritaville bars. Winter weekends are the busiest.
How long
Two hours for a walk and lunch, a full day with beach time.
Tips
Arrive early on weekends for parking. Rent a bike to cover the full length. Check the dog beach schedule before bringing a pet.
Quick picks
- Best for
- An old-school Florida beach walk without traffic between you and the water.
- Families
- Ice cream, cafes and gentle stretches of lifeguarded sand.
- Couples
- A sunset stroll followed by live music at the resort bars.
- Pair with
- Anne Kolb Nature Center across the Intracoastal for a morning paddle.
- Time needed
- A half day to a full beach day.
Good questions
How long is the Broadwalk?+
About two and a half miles, from Jefferson Street north to Sheridan Street and Hollywood North Beach Park.
Can I bike on it?+
Yes. There is a separate lane for cyclists and skaters alongside the pedestrian promenade. The Broadwalk is part of the East Coast Greenway, and bike rentals and the county bike share are available near the beach.
Is there a dog beach?+
Yes, at the north end. It operates on set days with rules and permits, so check the city schedule before you go.
How far is it from Fort Lauderdale?+
About twenty minutes by car from downtown or the airport, a little more from the northern beach hotels.
Where should I park?+
Metered lots and garages line the beach; they fill on winter weekends, so arrive early or use a rideshare. The garage at Charnow Park, near Connecticut Street, is a central option for the middle of the Broadwalk.
