For anyone still dealing with the affects of winter weather (grey snow, salt covered boots, rising heating bills) it may seem a bit strange for someone who already has warm weather and a beach to pick up and travel across the country for … more warm weather and more beaches.  Well, maybe its because variety is the spice of life or because a fashion label I fell in love with in Singapore only has one US based store, and that’s in Miami. Or maybe its because I want to do an in depth study of the differences between Florida and California beaches?  All I know is that at the end of the trip, I don’t have to go through temperature shock when I land back in LA.  It’s so much more civilized. (I kid… I kid…well, kind of)

But in actuality, Miami as a beach city is quite a bit different from Los Angeles.  I find the beaches in Los Angeles much more laid back.  You may have picked up a a bathing suit from Target for $19.99 en route to the shore and at the end of the day the extent of the party is a beach bonfire under an old blanket. In Miami it is a party from start to finish. During the day the beach is a fashion show and you’d better come prepared.  At night, many of the high end clubs are in the luxury hotels just steps off the beach and you can drink and eat yourself silly until the wee hours of the morning at the restaurants lining Ocean Drive.

The restaurants and constant stream of traffic along Ocean Drive.

Visiting this store MAY have inspired this trip to Miami.

The other noticeable difference is the water. Now I love my home town of Los Angeles and we have some absolutely stunning beaches, but let’s face it…that Pacific water is cold and at least near LA, not particularly clear (or clean). Now head over to the Atlantic waters just off the coast of South Beach and its a completely different story.  I couldn’t get over how clear and blue the water was and I loved that you could wade out for ages and the water wouldn’t get above your waist. I have to say I was a little jealous that we don’t have that here on the West Coast.

I could have stayed in that water all day.

South Beach on a sunny March day.

Overall I spent a majority of my time in the South Beach neighborhood, but did venture across to Brickell and the Design District during my stay.  South Beach was very walkable, especially since the humidity hadn’t quite kicked in yet when I was there in March. You are never far from the iconic images of colorfully painted life guard stations, art deco architecture or a mojito.  While I may have passed my window of acceptable heat/humidity levels for another visit Miami until November, I would love to go back again for a visit when the temperatures dip a bit below sweltering.  Thank you, Miami, for a warm, colorful and fun-filled weekend!

A stretch of beach to call my own…well me and the gull.

It should be illegal to come to Miami and not have a mojito…

…and some fresh Cuban food. So simple, so good. 

Each life guard station just popped with color.

This little guy came to visit us for lunch.  

Checking out the art in the Design District.  Also known as the “if you have to ask the price, you can’t afford it” District.  

Strolling around South Beach, art deco buildings galore.