CRUISE THE FLORIDA COAST: Take your collector car on a quick scenic trip
April 13, 2019
Posted by Barrett-Jackson
Written by Barbara Toombs
Aerial view of the Jupiter Pier and coastline.
Just one example of the prolific bird life to be seen along the Florida coast. ©VMAstudios / All rights reserved 2016
Without a doubt, the Sunshine State was built for coastal cruising. After all, it is home to the A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway, which runs along the Atlantic Ocean from Key West at its southernmost tip, all the way up to Fernandina Beach, just south of Georgia on Amelia Island.
You can get a taste of the A1A and some great stops along the way without having to travel far from the South Florida Fairgrounds.
For a spin south of Palm Beach, just head due east from the fairgrounds as far as you can go – that will take you to the renowned A1A. Turn south and just drink in the ocean scenery as you drive, but plan a little break some 17 miles down the road at Boynton Beach, just west of the A1A and dripping with Old Florida charm. Cozy restaurants and boutiques line the walkable Ocean Avenue, and canopy-covered walkways lead to warm sea breezes and a wide stretch of sand at Oceanfront Park. (Don’t miss the giant blue sea turtle sculpture and life-size chess board near the concession stand.)
Harbourside Place in Jupiter.
After your break in Boynton Beach, head back east to the A1A and keeping driving south, making sure to slow down and enjoy the beauty of the tiny town of Gulf Stream. This small municipality of less than one mile offers a picturesque view of local mansions and memorable seaside sights.
Just three miles or so further south is Delray Beach, once named “Most Fun Small Town in the USA” by Rand McNally and USA Today. There’s no shortage of things to do here, with the center of the action being Atlantic Avenue, which runs from Interstate 95 all the way to Delray Beach’s sun-soaked shoreline. This pedestrian-friendly thoroughfare boasts quaint brick sidewalks, gaslight-style street lamps and a seemingly endless array of restaurants, watering holes, shops, galleries – and even a pinball museum.
Learn about South Florida’s fragile marine and freshwater environments at the Sandoway Discovery Center in Delray Beach.
Or perhaps you’d prefer to explore the coast to the north of Palm Beach. Just 5 miles away (via either US-1 North or the more scenic Flagler Drive) is one of the area’s newest attractions, Manatee Lagoon. Offering free admission, the family-friendly spot is full of interactive, entertaining exhibits about the environment of the Lake Worth Lagoon – and the wonderful world of manatees, of course! The Center is the ideal spot to view wild manatee herds basking in warm-water outflows from Florida Power & Light Company’s adjacent Riviera Beach Next Generation Clean Energy Center.
Only a mile or two further north from Manatee Lagoon is Riviera Beach and Singer Island – the place to go for boating, scuba diving or just basking on the beach. If you’re looking to spend a day on the water, head to Riviera Beach Marina Village, where you can practice your angling skills by choosing one of many fishing charters and boat rentals. Not a fan of fishing? You can also rent stand-up paddleboards, kayaks or jet-skis.
Sandoway House at the Sandoway Discovery Center.
Divers and snorkelers from around the world flock to Phil Foster Park and its Underwater Snorkel Trail to explore thriving reefs, historic wrecks, sunken sculptures and diverse marine life. Singer Island has the market cornered when it comes to relaxation: There are waterfront hotels for every budget and seven miles of beaches, from the golden sands of Singer Island Municipal Beach to the rambling boardwalks of Ocean Reef Park.
From Singer Island, take the A1A further north for about 10 miles to Juno Beach, located on a barrier island flanked by the Intracoastal Waterway and Atlantic Ocean, and home to unspoiled coastline, blissfully laid-back vibes and scores of nesting sea turtles. You can visit some of these endangered reptiles at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center, a working sea turtle hospital and learning facility that also hosts turtle walks on the beach.
The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum.
The Juno Beach Pier is the main hub of activity in town when it comes to fishermen, sunrise-seekers and selfie-snappers, while Juno Beach Park is a popular spot for surfers and kiteboarders, as well as swimmers.
Keep hugging the coast on the A1A for another 6 miles or so north, when you’ll come to the town of Jupiter, full of breathtaking scenery, laid-back tiki bars and endless ways to play in the water. You may choose to explore the 40 miles of the Jupiter Waterway Trail in a canoe, or just stick to the land and visit the brick-red Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse, one of the oldest and most iconic structures in The Palm Beaches. Climb all 105 feet to the top for a gull’s-eye view of the coast!
Whether you head north or south, spending some time cruising the Florida coast in your collector car is a spectacular way to wrap up your Palm Beach Auction experience.