Central Beach is best known as the tourist hub of Fort Lauderdale, with a bustling market for condos with ocean views. “The large majority of condo owners have this as their winter residence,” says William Brown, president of the Central Beach Alliance community association. Brown is a longtime resident who has led the local advocacy group since 2019. Though many people rent out their properties between May and September, permanent residents take pride in their community and find plenty to do year-round. With miles of sandy beaches and a thriving restaurant and nightlife scene, life in Central Beach is active at any time of day, any time of year.
Hotels and condos line Central Beach's oceanfront.
Takato restaurant has a high-end feel and is perfect for special occasions in Central Beach.
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Condo hotels offer beachfront luxury
Residents live in high-rise condos steps from the beach, which they often rent out during the summer months. One- and two-bedroom units with community pools can range between $300,000 and $600,000, though prices shoot up for new builds on the beach. Many developments date back to the 1970s, renovated over time as construction continued in the area. Condo hotel hybrids grant residents the luxuries of hotel amenities, including housekeeping, fitness centers and parking, and often the ability to rent out the unit during the year. These luxury units start above $1 million and can rise above $3 million.
Find the perfect condo by the ocean in Central Beach.
A Central Beach condo complex equipped with a pool and expansive terrace.
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A hub for nightlife in Fort Lauderdale
Central Beach is a nightlife destination, with top-rated restaurants, nightclubs and themed bars attracting local foodies and spring breakers alike. Young tourists flock to the Las Olas Beach area, densely populated with restaurants and bars, though residents can find diverse dining all along the beachfront. “We have everything from fine dining to local pizza and ice cream shops,” Brown says. Locals can make a reservation at S3, an upscale, Asian-inspired restaurant named for the sun, surf and sand surrounding it. S3 serves locally sourced seafood and is often ranked among the best restaurants in Fort Lauderdale, and even the state. For a more casual vibe, Blondies Sports Bar is a favorite among residents, with pub food, pool tables and plenty of TV screens. The Galleria shopping mall just northeast of the neighborhood has major retailers such as Macy’s and Banana Republic, and locals can stock up on groceries at the Publix Super Market next door. Residents can fill in the gaps between trips at corner stores throughout the neighborhood.
Locals love to dine alfresco in Central Beach.
Residents and visitors can explore the nightlife at Rock Bar in Central Beach.
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Central Beach’s Great American Beach Party
Residents of Central Beach can walk to events throughout the year, including Fort Lauderdale’s 4th of July Spectacular and the 3-day Tortuga Music Festival. Locals spend Memorial Day weekend at the Great American Beach Party, a free annual festival hosted by the city’s parks and recreation department. Crowds gather at Las Olas Oceanside Park for live music, classic car shows and a sand sculpting contest in a family-friendly atmosphere.
Central Beach is popular with locals and tourists alike.
Thrill seekers can rent a jet ski on Central Beach.
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Walking distance to Las Olas Beach
Central Beach is home to two of the most coveted beaches in Fort Lauderdale. Las Olas Beach is a busy stretch of sand beside an oceanside park with green space, an amphitheater and walking paths. The park hosts year-round markets and events and is a central hub for the neighborhood. Fort Lauderdale Beach Park has courts for basketball and volleyball, a playground and a boat ramp, in addition to miles of pristine beach. For a bit of variety – and a brush with history – locals visit Bonnet House Museum and Gardens, a 1920s-era home with guided tours of the estate’s lavish architecture and gardens.
Grab some friends for a game of beach volleyball in Central Beach.
Every day feels like a vacation on palm-lined beaches in Central Beach.
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Residents walk, drive or bus around Central Beach
Central Beach is a walkable area where residents are always within a half mile of the shore. Sidewalks throughout the neighborhood connect people to the beach, where pedestrians rule the waterfront. Buses stop along Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard, delivering riders to beaches farther north. Drivers can head 3 miles west to reach downtown, or easily access I-95 for trips out of town.
Downtown Fort Lauderdale is on the horizon, not far from Central Beach.
Central Beach offers a resort lifestyle for residents in Florida.
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Teens attend Fort Lauderdale High
Students head a few miles inland to attend highly rated public schools. Younger children start at Harbordale Elementary, which has an A-minus from Niche, then move on to Sunrise Middle, a B-rated school. Four miles from the neighborhood, Fort Lauderdale High is an A-rated school with two magnet programs: one in international education and another in law and public affairs. Students on the latter track can choose from various concentrations, including social work, politics and criminal justice.
Entrance to Fort Lauderdale High School in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Harbordale Elementary School
Learning excellence at Sunrise Middle School in Ft Lauderdale, FL.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Are you familiar with the Central Beach neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Central Beach
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
6
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
7
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Central Beach Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Central Beach, Fort Lauderdale sell after 146 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Central Beach, Fort Lauderdale over the last 12 months is $740,000, up 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
OCEANFRONT LUXURY LIVING! Seasons Condo has RESERVES! Prime location! 2nd floor front SE corner unit w/direct ocean views! Steps to beach! ALL REASONABLE OFFERS CONSIDERED! Secure building w/24 hour front desk security. ALL ages. Sought after E stack. Open floor plan w/kitchen, full size W/D in unit, impact windows. 2-new A/C units April 2025. Newly renovated halls/front door! While tax record
OVER 9,600 Total SqFt. The LARGEST Penthouse For Sale in Fort Lauderdale. Unrivaled Penthouse Living at The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale. Enjoy 7,000+ SqFt of elegant interiors ON ONE LEVEL, complemented by one of South Florida’s most expansive oceanfront terraces. With 130+ feet of frontage, the terrace offers an extraordinary setting for private outdoor relaxation & entertaining. The crown
INVESTOR’s DREAM & BEACH LIFESTYLE – turnkey furnished 1-bed/1-bath condo with Intracoastal sunset views, daily rentals allowed, one-block to the ocean in iconic Fort Lauderdale Beach. This large income producing Airbnb-approved unit offers 621 sq ft of stylish living, complete with a full kitchen, living/dining, stainless steel appliances, in-unit washer/dryer, impact windows, and new electrical
Welcome home to Fort Lauderdale Beach! This furnished 2-bedroom, 1.5-bath condo is available for a 6-month rental or a 1-year lease, perfect for beach lovers. Enjoy tropical views, ocean breezes, and sunsets from your open balcony, or relax by the heated pool overlooking a serene canal where you can kayak and paddleboard. The community offers resort-style amenities including a renovated
NEWLY REPRICED, AVAILABLE FROM MARCH 2026... Wow! Rarely available annual rental steps from the beach, and in the center of the Fort Lauderdale beach action. Renovated fully furnished 1-bed, 1-bath condo on 2nd floor of original Florida beach building. Featuring newly installed mini-split AC units. All the iconic features of the beach - Elbo Room, Las Olas Blvd, Sebastian Beach are mere minutes
newly remodeled with 2nd bedroom Murphy bed and walk in closet. Washer dryer ready.Located on the Intracoastal Waterway with great city views and the most tranquilizing sunset on the dock one can wish for. Modern furniture. Walk 2 mins to the ocean beachfront. / one minute to the Ritz Carlton Hotel and their fabulous amenities.
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