With over 350 fabulous beaches in the State of Florida, it’s almost impossible to choose a Best Florida Beach. City of Delray Beach, however, on the east coast, equidistant between West Palm and Fort Lauderdale is at the top of the list. Delray Beach is fondly known as the Village by the Sea. It’s a first-class resort town in Palm Beach County next door to Boca Raton. Delray won the Centennial Medallion Award for its historic preservation efforts, joining New York’s Central Park and San Francisco’s Ghiradelli Square. It has a thriving downtown with Atlantic Avenue as the focal point, featuring shopping, galleries, dining and nightlife and even, the last time I checked, an excellent Elvis impersonator in one of the landmark outside bars! Delray has three miles of award winning Blue Wave certified beaches and the largest beach in the County with plenty of parking on the street (angled in) and in lots. A short walk through the mangroves on narrow winding paths all along A1A brings you out on the other side to a wide expanse of beautiful sand. There are volleyball nets along the beach, and a nature trail and boardwalk in Atlantic Dunes Park. There are boating activities, you can rent a seadoo or sunfish. There are several open air restaurants on A1A and many more as you stroll down Atlantic Avenue from the beach. Here are the particulars on the Delray Beaches: Main Location: Atlantic Avenue and A1A, Delray Beach Hours: 5 AM to 11 PM Parking: metered street and lot parking Amenities: 2 miles of beach, lifeguards, restrooms, outdoor showers, restaurants, handicapped accessible Activities: swimming, volleyball, sunbathing, snorkeling, diving, fishing and surfing outside guarded areas Pets: no Of Special Interest: 150 yards off the southern end of Delray’s Bch 22 feet down, lies a steel hulled freighter that sank in the 1920s. This is a first-class beach dive and excellent for beginners, according to Dixie Divers. Atlantic Dunes Park Location: A1A, one block north of Linton Blvd. , Delray Bch Hours: 8 AM to dusk Parking: metered/4 hours Amenities: lifeguards, restrooms, outdoor showers, handicapped accessible Activities: swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, volleyball, surfing & fishing outside of guarded areas Pets: no It’s not only the beach itself that makes Delray so appealing. The City’s Master Plan is a unified vision to create a thriving downtown that stretches all the way from I-95 to the beachfront. It is a national model on how to promote cultural and economic activity. December is a fabulous time to visit Delray Bch as the City is more alive than ever with Holiday Spirit: · 12/3 Art & Jazz on the Avenue – Open house for restaurants, art galleries and shops along Atlantic Avenue, live entertainment, 6-10 pm · 12/3 Famous 100-Foot Tree Lighting Ceremony – Old School Square, 5 pm entertainment, 6 pm Santa arrives and official tree lighting · 12/4 22nd Annual Chamber Golf Classic 7 · 12/12 Holiday Parade · 12/12 Ride & Remember Trolley Tour – · 12/12 Kids Day at the Tree – Old School Square, visit Santa and play in the snow, special surprises at the Famous 100-Foot Christmas Tree · 12/12-13 Delray Art League Outdoor Art Show – Veterans Park · 12/14-15 Santa’s Calling – Community Center · 12/19 Breakfast with Santa – Join Santa for a special breakfast at the Delray Beach Marriott · 12/19 Narrated Bus Tour of Historic Delray Beach · 12/26-27 Howard Alan Craft Show – Delray Bch Tennis Center · 12/31 First Night® 2010 New Year’s Eve Celebration – Bring the entire family to enjoy visual and performing arts in non-alcoholic venues at various locations downtown Come and visit the Best Florida Beach – City of Delray Beach!