Southeast Florida - Florida - page 407

feels like driving through a condo canyon. Second, there's older Dixie Hwy, running paral-
lel to Rte 1 but further inland, past dive bars and working-class communities. Drive both
stretches; each is rich with divergent offerings.
Hollywood & Dania Beach
Two 'suburban Fort Lauderdale' communities have managed to make names for them-
selves. Hollywood, a bustling waterfront town that positions itself as a gateway to Fort
Lauderdale, has earned a sizable wedge of the spring break market since Lauderdale gave
revelers the boot. The resulting influx brings with it concerts in the sand, beach-volleyball
tourneys and assorted debauchery each March. These days, the city's trying to glam up its
image with several new South Beach-style developments.
In contrast, Dania ( dane -ya) remains a mellow little town, with a fledgling antiques dis-
trict and a breezy fishing pier.
Sights & Activities
Hollywood is divided into two distinct zones: the hotel-lined beach strip and a characterful
downtown listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Hollywood Beach & Broadwalk BEACH
Reminiscent of California's famed Venice Beach, this beach and adjacent promenade teem
with scantily clad Rollerbladers and fanny-pack-wearing tourists. The Broadwalk itself is a
2.2-mile, six-person-wide path, extending from pretty North Beach Park (3601 N Ocean
Dr; 11am-5pm) , where the route is lined with seagrapes, all the way to South Surf Road .
It's regularly clogged with skaters, strollers and entire families pedaling enormous group
bikes. The latter like to stop at Charnow Park (300 Garfield St) , where there's shaded seat-
ing and a popular interactive fountain.
If you feel like rolling along it, a dozen or so Broadwalk vendors rent bikes (per hour/
day $10/30), Rollerblades and other beach gear.
John U Lloyd Beach State Park KAYAKING, DIVING