A piece of beachside South Florida bliss
Grab a towel, pack a snack and put on some sunshades — the beach is a part of daily life in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, always just a short stroll or bike ride away. This coastal town is packed with waterfront and water-adjacent properties, plus an assortment of popular restaurants and other amenities. “It’s a quaint little town. Nestled by the City of Pompano Beach and the City of Fort Lauderdale,” says local Realtor Rafael Monterrey of Balistreri Real Estate.
Beach space is aplenty in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea
Monterrey, a longtime South Florida resident, regularly sees residents riding their bikes to enjoy the beachfront. Laura Ward Park is among the hubs, one that’s not crowded. The centerpiece, though, is Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Beach, which is popular with scuba divers and snorkelers with its easily accessible coral reefs. There’s also a pier here, which was damaged in 2022 by storms but is scheduled to be reconstructed in 2026. Also, El Prado Park is an option for those looking for fun just off the water, with a grassy lawn and shaded beach chairs perfect for enjoying a picnic or a good book.
Homes here come with variety
This enclave is surrounded by water on both sides, with the ocean to the east and the Intracoastal Waterway to the west. A variety of homes fill the town’s streets in between. The majority of the options here are condos, and a lot of them come with views of the beach. Many condo units here feature floor plans from about 700 square feet and up to about 2,000 square feet, but some of the biggest ones push 3,000 square feet. The single-family houses here range from spacious ranch-style options to expansive mansions. “There are homes in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea that have big waterfront [space], that you can put in boats and go to the Bahamas,” Monterrey says. Condos in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea sell for prices from about $200,000 to almost $3 million, depending on the square footage and location. Single-family homes in the neighborhood come with price tags from about $800,000 to more than $10 million.
Plenty of opportunities to come together
The weather and beachside location here are a boon when it comes to outdoor events. And there are plenty of them. Locals, for instance, can peruse the farmers market at El Prado Park on Sundays, full of local produce and more. El Prado Park also hosts outdoor yoga sessions on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Annual events here include a Fourth of July parade, capped by a Family Fun Day at El Prado Park. There’s also a Christmas By The Sea event complete with a tree lighting and Boo! By The Sea for Halloween, with trick-or-treating.
Come to Commercial for an assortment of amenities
The aptly named Commercial Boulevard is a hub for dining and shopping in town. Head to the end of Commercial Boulevard, by the beach, to find one of the hotspots: Aruba Beach Cafe. “We have nice restaurants. Aruba, it’s right on the ocean, that’s the one that everybody likes,” Monterrey says. Around since 1983, Aruba Beach Cafe is known for its beach views but also menu items like the seafood quesadilla with shrimp, scallops and fish. Vinnie’s by the Sea is an option for those craving Italian — the pizza is a hit. Shops on Commercial range from spots like P.J. Rossi Jewelers to Big Cat Electric Bikes. Locals can also head just up Ocean Drive from Commercial Boulevard to reach the Sea Ranch Center shopping center, which includes a Publix, CVS and Dollar Tree, convenient for grabbing groceries and other essentials.
Area schools come relatively close by
Kids in the area are served by Broward County Public Schools, a district with a B-plus overall rating on Niche. Students in the district may apply to attend their preferred institutions, but particularly close schools include the B-plus-rated McNab Elementary, which offers afterschool care. Students may then progress to the C-plus-rated Pompano Beach Middle, where there are dedicated pathway programs in topics like eSports and athletic sciences, and tourism and entertainment. Northeast High is next up, a B-minus-rated school where extracurricular activities include a garden and engineering clubs. Multiple well-regarded private schools, like the A-rated Cardinal Gibbons High, are in the vicinity as well.
Catch a ride on the Circuit
Circuit, is a network of free eclectic vehicles here that takes passengers all around town. Riders can find Circuit vehicles via an app. There are also multiple stops in the Broward County Transit bus system in town. Drivers can hop on Ocean Drive to travel up and down the coast, and Commercial Boulevard takes them to Interstate 95 for trips farther away.
Written By
Wayne Epps Jr.
