Beaches Florida Beaches, Past and Present By Chelle Koster Walton Search { Beaches } at VISITFLORIDA.com Florida’s beaches are rich with history. Visit these four beaches, all with a memorable past. Fort De Soto County Park in Tierra Verde Fort De Soto, completed in 1906, was originally built as a fortress during the Spanish-American War. Today, visitors head to the island to explore fort remains on the 1,136-acre park. It’s the perfect outdoor retreat with beaches, two shing piers, a campground, nature and multi-use trails, and even a ferry service to Egmont and Shell keys. American Beach on Amelia Island Hutchinson Island Founded in 1935 during the Jim Crow era, American Beach promised African Americans “recreation and relaxation without humiliation.” Now, it’s a quiet respite for all, while its museum honors the beach’s legacy. Sea Glass and Treasure at Hutchinson Island Its “Treasure Coast” nickname refers to more than the natural beauty of Hutchinson Island. Gold coins from a Spanish treasure fl eet that wrecked in 1715 still wash up on local beaches. The skinny 48-mile-long island o ers both popular beachfront resorts and secluded, peaceful beaches. Beachcombers wield metal detectors, hoping to fi nd treasure. Sea glass seekers also sift for slivers of green, white, brown, red, yellow and purple gems bu eted smooth by the sea in the Indian River Lagoon. Treasure-hunting tips: The beach access at Walton Rocks Beach has amenities including showers, restrooms and free parking. It’s even pet-friendly. Sharks’ Teeth at Venice Beach Venice Beach is known for its abundant sharks’ teeth. Thanks to an ancient o shore shark graveyard, fossilized teeth ranging in size from tiny and barely visible to palm-sized wash up along the beach accesses. Beach scenes vary along this stretch. For an unspoiled shoreline, visit Caspersen Beach in the south; for a more developed strand, visit Brohard and Venice Beach, home to a popular fi shing pier. Treasure-hunting tips: Local stores sell “Florida snow shovels,” mesh baskets on a long handle you can use to sift through sand for sharks’ teeth and other fi nds. The best place to “pull teeth” is the south end of Caspersen Beach. The Breakers Hotel, Palm Beach PHOTOS: WWW.WILLDICKEY.COM FOR VISIT FLORIDA; THE BREAKERS HOTEL Palm Beach A historic landmark on Palm Beach, The Breakers hotel served as a military hospital during the World War II era. Today, Palm Beach is synonymous with luxury, serving as the ultimate playground for vacationers, celebrities and statesmen. Key West FIND OUT WHY SO MANY LOVE DAYTONA BEACH Scan this page with your phone to discover Daytona Beach’s best experiences. Download the free Blippar App. See full instructions on pg. 6. During prohibition, smugglers of oaded rum from Cuba to keep the Key West party alive. The town still has a reputation for revelry, and Key West’s First Legal Distillery produces the island’s very own grog. 40 4 VISITFLORIDA.com
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