Hollywood Beach, Florida
The verdict
- Best for: Families and easygoing travellers who want a wide free beach with a walkable promenade of cafes and rentals, calmer and cheaper than South Beach.
- Best spot: The sand along the central Broadwalk near Johnson Street, with cafes, bike rentals and the bandshell a few steps back from the water.
- Know this: This is in Hollywood just north of Miami proper, not on Miami Beach; it is free with lifeguards, busiest along the central Broadwalk.
Published 27 February 2026. Last reviewed 23 March 2026
Hollywood Beach is the easygoing cousin of Miami Beach. Sitting just north of Miami in the city of Hollywood, it pairs a wide belt of free pale sand with its signature brick Broadwalk, a flat promenade of cafes, ice cream shops, bike rentals and palms that runs for miles right behind the dunes. The mood is relaxed and family minded, with lifeguards on the towers, joggers and cyclists on the Broadwalk and a slower pace than the Ocean Drive scene to the south.
The honest framing is that you trade glamour and nightlife for space, value and calm. This is the open Atlantic, so the water is warm and pleasant rather than glass clear, and the central Broadwalk near Johnson Street can get busy on sunny weekends with cyclists, cafes and crowds. Step a few blocks north or south and the sand opens up and quietens down. Parking near the central stretch fills fast, so arrive early or use a garage.
It suits families, couples and anyone who wants a wide, walkable, affordable beach day with a promenade of easy food and rentals. If you want the Art Deco spectacle and the club scene, South Beach and Lummus Park are the place, while quieter Sunny Isles and North Beach sit between Hollywood and the heart of Miami Beach with the same warm water.
Clubs on this beach
Hollywood Beach is a free public strip with a cafe lined Broadwalk. Loungers come from rentals and beachfront hotels rather than a single club.
Hotel beachfront setups
Several beachfront hotels along the Broadwalk run their own sand setups with loungers and service, and a few, including the Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort, anchor the central stretch. Some properties sell day passes or pool and beach access to non guests. Inclusions, availability and prices vary and are to be confirmed, so check directly with each hotel before you go.
Broadwalk rentals
The simplest way to get comfortable here is a lounger, umbrella or bike rented along the Broadwalk itself, with cafes and restaurants a step away. This is the relaxed, low cost alternative to a club, in keeping with the beach's easygoing feel. Operators, rates and hours vary and are to be confirmed, so ask on the day.
Hollywood Beach lies just north of Miami in the city of Hollywood, roughly fifteen to twenty five minutes from Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport and around thirty to forty minutes from Miami International Airport without traffic. Most visitors arrive by car or rideshare; parking near the central Broadwalk is limited and busy, so a garage or an early start helps, and the sand quietens as you move away from Johnson Street.
Use the restrooms, showers and lifeguard towers along the beach, and swim within the flagged zones, as the open Atlantic can bring surf and occasional rip currents. The brick Broadwalk behind the sand supplies cafes, restaurants, shops and bike and lounger rentals, so it is easy to make a full day of it. Treat the conditions as typical rather than guaranteed, follow the lifeguards, and go in the cooler dry season for comfort.
Reserve a beach club day in Miami
Hollywood Beach is free, with loungers from rentals and beachfront hotels. Tell us your date, party and plan and we will help with a beach club or hotel day pass in the Miami area. No charge to enquire.
Common questions
Is Hollywood Beach the same as Miami Beach?
No. Hollywood Beach is in the city of Hollywood just north of Miami, while Miami Beach, including South Beach, is a separate barrier island to the south. Hollywood is known for its brick Broadwalk, free wide sand and a calmer, more family minded mood, whereas South Beach is famous for Art Deco hotels and a lively club scene. They are close in distance but different in feel.
Is Hollywood Beach free and does it have lifeguards?
Yes, the beach is free with open public access, and Hollywood staffs lifeguard towers along the sand during daytime hours. You pay only for parking, rentals, food or a hotel beachfront setup. It faces the open Atlantic, so swim within the flagged, supervised zones near a tower and treat the conditions as typical rather than guaranteed.
What is the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk?
The Broadwalk is a flat brick promenade that runs for miles behind the sand, lined with cafes, restaurants, ice cream shops, bike and lounger rentals and a bandshell. It is a magnet for walkers, joggers and cyclists and gives the beach its relaxed, social character. The central stretch near Johnson Street is the busiest and liveliest part.
Where should I park for Hollywood Beach?
Parking near the central Broadwalk is limited and fills quickly on sunny days, so a public garage or an early arrival is the easiest approach, and rideshare avoids the search altogether. If you drive, expect to pay and to walk a little. Stretches north and south of Johnson Street tend to be quieter with easier access.
What is the best time to visit Hollywood Beach?
The cooler dry season from November to April is the most comfortable, with lower humidity and pleasant water. Summer is hot, humid and within the wider hurricane season. Weekends draw families and cyclists to the central Broadwalk, so for a calmer beach go on a weekday, arrive early or settle on the sand away from Johnson Street.
