AArisings: Beach Trip



	Beach Trip By Kevin Wing Co-Host, Catch a Wave: A Journey to California’s 10 Best Beaches (Editor’s Note: This monthly column about America’s best beaches is written exclusively for AARisings by Kevin Wing, an Emmy Award-winning San Francisco Bay Area-based television journalist who co-hosts Catch a Wave: A Journey to California’s 10 Best Beaches, a television pilot for The Travel Channel. Kevin is also a feature reporter for the nationally syndicated LatinEyes, produced at KRON-TV in San Francisco. This month’s hot summer pick: South Florida’s trendy Miami Beach, the place to in the Sunshine State to really go tropical, get a nice tan and party all night long!) I’ve always loved summertime. Ever since growing up in the San Francisco Bay area, summer has always been my favorite time of year. Living in California, of course, has played a major role with that, delivering me a beach and view of the Pacific with just an hour’s drive or less from home. Summertime in California is similar to summertime in Florida. Somewhat similar, I should say. While the weather here in the Golden State can be hot at times during the summer months, we’re fortunate to not have the humidity that Florida’s tropical location brings. Depending on how you look at it, that tropical, summery feeling is what brings many to Florida. I’ve been to Florida about a dozen times. I love the place. I’ve always loved central Florida and the Space Coast. Yes, Walt Disney World. Of course, there’s so much more to the Sunshine State than Mickey Mouse and the Magic Kingdom. Tampa Bay and the St. Pete Beach area are also very nice (you previously read about St. Pete Beach in this travelogue). I’m happy to say that I’ve also been to Miami a couple of times. The first time was just a quick pass-through on the way to Key West. But, on my second visit to south Florida, I finally had the opportunity to experience Miami Beach. And what a beautiful place it is. This hip beach haven is now often referred to as the American Riviera. It’s a year-round playground for singles, couples and families. When most people hear the name Miami Beach, images of spring break, bikinis and wild partying in the clubs and on the streets most likely come to mind. And, those images are, for better or worse, very realistic images of Miami Beach. What can I say about this town that’s also known for its trendy Art Deco architecture? It’s a feast for the eyes, it’s a feast for the senses. There’s a lot to do in this little corner of the world, and if you just want to get away for a few days and experience all that is tropical in south Florida, there’s no better place than Miami Beach. Let’s tell you about what makes the beach in Miami Beach so special. First of all, the gorgeous sand is a sight to behold. It extends for about 10 miles. The beach changes atmosphere, depending on exactly where you are. The liveliest place, without a doubt, is South Beach. South Beach’s groomed sand, perhaps not as grainy as it is on the beaches farther up the Atlantic coast of the state, is a great place to get a tan, enjoy the sights and take in some people-watching. The water’s pretty nice here, too. Most of Miami Beach’s high-profile hotels line Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue, making the beach the main attraction during the day. Even the lifeguard huts scattered up and down the beach are designed to mirror the Art Deco architecture along Ocean Drive. The immense beach is an extension of SoBe’s persona. It’s unmistakably south Florida. But, when evening arrives, South Beach really comes alive. The spotlight is on the nightlife of Ocean Drive. There truly isn’t another place around like South Beach. Parking is a big problem here, day or night, so walking is the way to go. If you don’t mind it, it’s probably the best way to see, explore and experience the nightlife that is South Beach. Spending time at one of the bars or cafes on the waterfront is, for the most part, the best way to experience Ocean Drive. Wanna see some skin? You’ll see it here, no doubt about it. These clubs are distinctively, uniquely SoBe. During our vacation in South Beach, we had an opportunity to experience the nightlife. Get ready to see a lot of neon, which enhances the party atmosphere. Oh yeah, and strobe lights. And outdoor cafes where the scantily-clad gawk at you as you gawk back at them. Our trip wouldn’t have been complete without experiencing SoBe’s trendy bars and clubs. We strolled into Mango’s Tropical Café on Ocean Drive. Another feast for the eyes. Live music, colorful characters and some serious margaritas. There’s a dance floor in the middle, and places to sit around it on two levels. Quite an experience and a pretty wild night. Oh, I forgot to tell you. For the locals, this was on a work night. But, I’ll bet you a Vodka Cranberry that every night on Ocean Drive feels like Saturday night. If the nightlife isn’t your thing, you’ll still enjoy yourself strolling Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue during the day. The shops, the hotels and the restaurants are all decked out in that famous Art Deco motif that Miami Beach is known for, bright pastel colors and all. Plenty of cool places to sit yourself down, enjoy the warm, tropical breeze and savor the moment. There’s also plenty of shops to peruse, too. Some high-end, some low-end, some just right. Museums, also. Or, if you just want to people-watch, one favorite haunt is the News Café on Ocean Drive. It’s open 24 hours a day, and the place is always buzzing. Its sidewalk tables make it a prime spot to gawk and be gawked at. Miami Beach. It’s the place to see. It’s the place to be seen. It’s one of the trendiest places in the United States. And, we’re not just talking about the beach. How to get to the beach: From Miami International Airport, head east on the Airport Expressway (toll) and cross the Julia Tuttle Causeway (Interstate 195). Once you’re in Miami Beach, you’ll be on Arthur Godfrey Road. Or another, more direct way to the South Beach area is via the Venetian Causeway – just south of the Julia Tuttle. The Venetian will take you directly to Collins Avenue. Head south on Collins, then one block east to the beach and you’re at Ocean Drive. You’ve made it. Hello, Miami Beach! Next month from Beach Trip: Summertime and California naturally go together, so what better way to celebrate cool waves and the sun-kissed West Coast by taking a trip to exciting Santa Monica Beach. And, coming soon: Makena Beach, on Hawaii’s beautiful island of Maui. To learn more about the Catch a Wave television show and Kevin Wing, go to www.catchawavetv.com. You can email Kevin and the Catch a Wave crew at catchawavetvshow@aol.com. Copyright 2005 All Rights Reserved Kevin Wing American Travelers Television Issue 4 / August 2005 Archive: June 2005 April 2005 February 2005 Photo used by permission courtesy of Kevin Wing. Photo copyright by Kevin Wing.