The beaches
Palm Beach County's coast is the quieter, more polished side of Florida's Atlantic shore. On the island itself, Midtown Beach and the sand near Worth Avenue give you clean water within walking distance of the shops. Just south, Lake Worth Beach has a lively pier and a more relaxed, local feel. For families, Carlin Park and the beaches around Jupiter to the north are spacious and well-equipped, and Jupiter's dog-friendly beach is a rarity worth knowing about. The water tends to be calmer and clearer than the Central Florida coast, and the crowds are thinner — this is a place for long, unhurried mornings on the sand rather than a boardwalk scene.
Golf
Palm Beach is one of the great golf destinations in the United States — the PGA of America is headquartered here, and the concentration of courses is extraordinary. PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens is the marquee name, home of a PGA Tour event and its fearsome 'Bear Trap' finishing stretch. Public and resort play is plentiful across the county, from championship layouts to relaxed municipal courses, and the winter season from roughly November to April is prime time for perfect conditions. Book tee times well ahead in high season. Even non-golfers feel the sport's presence here; it shapes the rhythm and the landscaping of the whole area.
Worth Avenue and shopping
Worth Avenue is Palm Beach's answer to Rodeo Drive — four blocks of designer flagships, jewellers and galleries running from the ocean to the Intracoastal, threaded with pretty pedestrian 'vias' of courtyards and fountains. Even window-shopping is a pleasure, and the Mediterranean Revival architecture, much of it by Addison Mizner, is half the appeal. For something less rarefied, downtown West Palm Beach across the water offers Clematis Street and the open-air Rosemary Square with a broader mix of restaurants and shops. The contrast between the two sides of the Intracoastal — old-money island and lively mainland city — is a big part of the area's character.
Where to eat
Dining in Palm Beach runs from the storied to the surprisingly casual. On the island, classic dining rooms and old-guard institutions set a formal tone — jackets are still expected at a few. Across the water, West Palm Beach's Clematis Street and Antique Row deliver a livelier, more varied scene: seafood, Latin American, farm-to-table and a strong brunch culture. The waterfront around the marina is the place for a sunset drink. As everywhere on this coast, seafood is the local strength, and stone crab in season is a treat. Book ahead for the well-known island rooms, especially through the winter high season when the seasonal residents are all in town.
Day trips
Palm Beach makes an easy base for the southeast coast. North, Jupiter and its landmark red lighthouse offer beaches, a riverfront dining district and a spring-training ballpark. South, Delray Beach and Boca Raton bring walkable downtowns and the serene Morikami Japanese Gardens. Inland, the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge is the northern edge of the Everglades, with boardwalks and abundant birdlife. Miami is roughly an hour and a quarter south by car, or a quick and comfortable hop on the Brightline train from West Palm Beach — making a day in the big city simple without giving up the calm of the Palm Beaches for your stay.
Where to stay in Palm Beach
Our vacation homes in Palm Beach sleep up to 16, come with private pools, and include the option of a driver meeting you at the airport.