{"ok":true,"data":{"id":2340,"slug":"96th-street-beach-surfside","name":"96th Street Beach","country":"USA","state":"Florida","city":"Surfside","coords":{"lat":25.8798,"lng":-80.1219},"beachType":null,"tags":["hidden","family","sunset"],"article":{"hero":"Tucked at Surfside's northern edge, 96th Street Beach feels like the town itself: understated, functional, and refreshingly free of pretense. You park along the residential blocks—metered spots fill quickly after ten—then cross a narrow boardwalk flanked by sea oats that rattle in the onshore breeze. The sand stretches wide and bone-pale, and the water breaks gently enough for toddlers to wade while older kids bodysurf the knee-high rollers.\n\nLifeguards keep watch from their perches, and a single pavilion offers shade when the midday sun turns punishing. You'll see regulars: retirees with folding chairs and paperbacks, nannies coaxing children toward the shallows, runners timing their loops to the tide. The vibe is neighborly rather than transient, and by late afternoon the light softens into that honeyed glow that makes every iPhone snap look like a postcard.\n\nSunset here is the real draw. The horizon opens wide, unobstructed by high-rises, and the sky cycles through coral, violet, and burnt orange as the sun dips. Couples linger at the water's edge, and even the gulls seem to pause. There's no drum circle, no fire dancers—just the day closing down with quiet grace. You'll leave with sand in your shoes and the sense that you've found something the guidebooks missed.","teaser":"You'll smell salt and sunscreen before you spot the blue-and-white lifeguard stand marking this residential stretch. Families spread blankets between the dunes and the tide line, while joggers trace the hard-packed sand at dawn. The Atlantic here feels democratic—no velvet ropes, no bottle service, just shore.","uniqueAngle":"A residential pocket beach where locals outnumber tourists and the sunset unfolds without Instagram theatrics.","accessType":"Drive-up with metered parking","thingsToDo":[{"icon":"swim","title":"Wade the Shallows","subtitle":"Gentle surf, lifeguard on duty"},{"icon":"sun","title":"Stake Your Spot","subtitle":"Pavilion shade available midday"},{"icon":"camera","title":"Sunset Frame","subtitle":"Unobstructed western horizon views"},{"icon":"hike","title":"Boardwalk Jog","subtitle":"Hard sand at low tide"}],"audience":{"surfer":"The break here is forgiving—knee-to-waist-high rollers on most days, cleaner at dawn before the onshore wind chops things up. Longboarders and beginners work the inside reform, though don't expect barrels or serious juice. The sandbars shift with storms, so check the lineup before you paddle out. Locals are mellow but appreciate a nod; it's a small crew, and they'll remember your face. Wax tropical-to-warm depending on season, and bring patience—this isn't performance surfing, it's the kind of session that clears your head.","couples":"Arrive an hour before sunset and claim a stretch of sand near the water. The sky puts on a show—streaks of coral and violet that deepen as the sun drops—and you'll have it mostly to yourselves. Afterward, walk north into Bal Harbour for cocktails at Makoto or south into Surfside proper for wood-fired pizza at Il Mulino. Lodging here skews residential; the Four Seasons Surfside is steps away if you want luxury, or book a beachfront Airbnb for barefoot mornings and private balconies. The vibe is low-key, unhurried—a place to exhale together.","backpacker":"Beach access is free; parking meters cost two dollars an hour, so arrive early or bike in from a Miami Beach hostel—it's a flat five-mile ride up Collins Avenue. Pack sandwiches from Publix on Harding Avenue; a Cuban loaf with all the fixings runs under seven dollars. The public restroom and outdoor shower let you rinse off before catching the 120 bus south. No overnight camping allowed, but you'll stretch your budget further here than on the hotel-lined strips. Bring your own shade—umbrellas rent for fifteen bucks, and that adds up.","local":"Weekday mornings before nine are yours—the sand empty except for walkers and the occasional surf-checker. High tide pushes the waterline close to the dunes, narrowing the beach but carving better sandbars. Locals know to park on the side streets east of Collins to dodge the meter maids. After a storm, scan the tideline for sea glass and intact sand dollars. Skip weekends in summer unless you want to referee beach volleyball; instead, time your visit for the shoulder hours when the light slants gold and the crowds thin.","family":null,"party":null,"diver":null,"explorer":null},"faqs":[{"a":"96th Street Beach is generally safe for swimming, with calm waters typical of Surfside's protected coastline. Lifeguards are stationed at nearby beaches during peak hours, though coverage varies seasonally. The beach features a gradual slope ideal for children, and the quieter atmosphere compared to Miami Beach makes it family-friendly. Check local surf and weather reports before swimming, especially during winter months when occasional swells occur. Jellyfish can appear seasonally, so ask locals or check beach condition boards for current water conditions.","q":"Is 96th Street Beach safe for swimming and families?"},{"a":"96th Street Beach is enjoyable year-round, with water temperatures remaining swimmable even in winter. December through April offers the most comfortable weather with lower humidity and temperatures in the mid-70s to low-80s°F. Summer months (June-September) bring warmer, more humid conditions with occasional afternoon thunderstorms. The beach faces east, making mornings ideal for swimming and early sun, while late afternoons provide excellent sunset views over the inland waterway. Weekdays are noticeably less crowded than weekends throughout the year.","q":"What is the best time to visit 96th Street Beach?"},{"a":"Street parking is available along 96th Street and adjacent residential streets in Surfside, with most spots offering free parking without time limits. Arrive early on weekends and holidays as spaces fill quickly, especially between 10am-3pm. The beach access point is clearly marked at the end of 96th Street where it meets Collins Avenue. Alternatively, metered parking is available along Collins Avenue. Surfside is compact and walkable, so staying anywhere in town puts you within easy reach of this beach access.","q":"Where can I park near 96th Street Beach?"},{"a":"The charming Surfside business district along Harding Avenue is just two blocks west, offering kosher restaurants, cafes, and casual dining options. Several family-run hotels and vacation rentals line Collins Avenue within walking distance. For more variety, Bal Harbour Shops (upscale dining and shopping) is one mile north. The beach itself has no facilities, so bring your own food, water, and beach equipment. Small convenience stores in Surfside sell beach essentials and snacks for quick provisions before heading to the sand.","q":"Are there restaurants and hotels near 96th Street Beach?"},{"a":"Unlike the bustling Miami Beach scene just south, 96th Street Beach offers a quieter, residential beach experience without commercial development crowding the shoreline. This low-key access point attracts primarily locals and visitors staying in Surfside's small hotels, creating a relaxed, uncrowded atmosphere. The lack of beach chair vendors and loud music contributes to its peaceful character. Many consider it a throwback to old Florida beach culture—simple, unpretentious, and focused on enjoying the ocean rather than the scene around it.","q":"Why is 96th Street Beach considered a hidden gem in the Miami area?"}]},"seo":{"title":"96th Street Beach, Surfside: Quiet Sand Beyond Miami's Crowds","description":"Lifeguards watch over gentle surf while palm shadows stretch across uncrowded sand. This Surfside hideaway delivers Miami warmth without the scene.","ogImage":"https://live.staticflickr.com/67/170580613_292394270b_b.jpg"},"images":[{"id":"517057","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/67/170580613_292394270b_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/67/170580613_292394270b.jpg","alt":"Chicago: Gold Coast"},{"id":"517061","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/3598/3589036944_ec2ea74076_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/3598/3589036944_ec2ea74076.jpg","alt":"Head to toe"},{"id":"517064","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/3022/2819557294_681d6d162f_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/3022/2819557294_681d6d162f.jpg","alt":"Jogging around the reservoir #3"},{"id":"517068","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/8345/8218706615_3e7687cea7_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/8345/8218706615_3e7687cea7.jpg","alt":"High Above: LSD"},{"id":"517069","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/8227/8532213052_3d45b88ded_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/8227/8532213052_3d45b88ded.jpg","alt":"Birdseye view 96th Street, Stone Harbor, N. J."},{"id":"517070","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/651/21870070968_70d32a7f9b_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/651/21870070968_70d32a7f9b.jpg","alt":"Ohio Street Beach, Chicago"},{"id":"517071","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53094457811_6ed400bc7b_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53094457811_6ed400bc7b.jpg","alt":"Nonconformist Division A, Row 2, Plots 12x & 14x"},{"id":"517072","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/3042/2719643954_a6bbafae0d_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/3042/2719643954_a6bbafae0d.jpg","alt":"96th Street"},{"id":"517073","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/3534/5797919253_656e58b42c_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/3534/5797919253_656e58b42c.jpg","alt":"my neighbors in the pre-cart days of rockaway"}]}}