Hollywood Beach vacation rentals

Sandwiched between Fort Lauderdale to the north and Miami to the south, Hollywood Beach is a small neighborhood in Hollywood, Florida, with a pristine white-sand beach facing the Atlantic Ocean. A wide brick esplanade, the Hollywood Beach Boardwalk, is one of the centerpieces of the community, lined with tiki-style bars, international restaurants, and surf shops. As you wander the 2.5-mile strip, you’ll enjoy views of tall palm trees and fluffy sand dotted with colorful lifeguard stands along the route, with blue ocean waters in the distance. By night, the boardwalk’s local theater hosts live music almost every evening. Rock bands and cover groups perform on the beachfront, and an outdoor stage keeps things lively, with an open area for people to dance.

Just north of the Hollywood Beach neighborhood, local waterfront parks lead to acres of protected red, white, and black mangrove forests. You can explore lush canopies of palm and mangrove trees by canoe at the Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park, where some of the mangroves’ most common wildlife, including brown pelicans and manatees, are seen best from the water.

Hollywood Beach stays warm and humid year-round. Summers are hot and one of the rainiest seasons. On a gloomy summer day, head indoors to the Art and Culture Center, whose themed exhibits include contemporary art, portrait photography, and seasonal displays. Autumn is warm and muggy, making it a pleasant time to visit nearby Fort Lauderdale for the Las Olas Art Fair, where you’ll get to meet local artists and ask them about their inspirations and techniques as well as purchase their work. The fair is on the main drag, Las Olas Boulevard, with dozens of sidewalk cafes and Latin eateries to enjoy.

Spring and winter are warm and comfortable. In spring, the two-day Dania Beach Arts and Seafood Celebration sees a combination of live art demonstrations and vendors selling seafood, including fresh lobster, shrimp, and locally caught red snapper. The pleasant winter cools down at night, which is perfect for visiting the farmers’ market in downtown Hollywood. It’s open every weekend, and you can try international cuisine at the market’s pop-up restaurants while perusing the fresh produce stalls.

Downtown Hollywood Mural Project

Take a self-guided tour of the Downtown Hollywood Mural Project along Tyler Street’s sidewalk murals, and then explore parallel streets to see more than 25 buildings painted by local and international artists. The city hosts the monthly Downtown Hollywood ArtWalk, where locals provide background on the street murals. There are pop-up markets featuring artist exhibits and booths with handcrafted jewelry.

Anne Kolb Nature Center

The 1,500-acre mangrove forest at the Anne Kolb Nature Center sits directly north of Hollywood Beach. You can explore the mangrove wetlands by rental kayak, starting at West Lake Park and following the kayak course through thick vegetation topped with hardwood and mangrove trees and giant leather ferns. While you paddle, you may spot local waterbirds like ospreys, vultures, and herons.

Hollywood North Beach Park

You can explore the northern section of the Hollywood Beach Boardwalk on foot or by rental bike until you reach the end of the promenade and arrive at Hollywood North Beach Park. The 60-acre, grass-covered park has a 50-foot observation tower offering sweeping views of the coast. Visit the park’s white-sand Keating Beach for a swim or snorkel session — where you may spot local sea turtles from a distance.