Yuma is a city with a mix of historical significance, natural wonders, and agricultural prowess. Often recognized for its sunny weather, Yuma is an excellent destination for travelers and a warm home for locals.
Yuma is not just a spot on the map, but a living museum and an outdoor enthusiast’s playground, offering a ton of activities and sights that just can’t be found elsewhere. From its days as a Wild West outpost to its current status as a powerhouse of domestic lettuce production, Yuma’s multifaceted identity is sure to surprise and delight.
Whether you’re a history buff, an outdoorsy type, or someone in search of an apartment somewhere warm, Yuma has what you’re looking for. Join us as we uncover ten of the top things this scenic city is known for.
1. Yuma Territorial Prison
The Yuma Territorial Prison, which opened in 1876, is a must-visit landmark that provides a glimpse into the Wild West’s rugged history. Today, it operates as a museum where visitors can explore the original cell blocks, guard towers, and gates. This once-feared prison held some of the most notorious outlaws in the American West.
2. Colorado River
Flowing gracefully alongside Yuma, the Colorado River adds a layer of depth to the city. It’s a popular spot for a variety of water activities like fishing, boating, and kayaking. The river’s banks are solid picnic spots and are surrounded by trails for biking and walking. The Colorado River provides a refreshing natural oasis in the desert landscape, inviting locals and visitors to enjoy its beauty in peace.
3. Lettuce Fields
Yuma proudly holds the title of the “Winter Lettuce Capital of the World.” The city’s agricultural fields stretch as far as the eye can see, with a significant portion dedicated to growing crisp, green lettuce. During the harvesting season, the fields are full of activity. Tours are available for those interested in learning about the farming practices and the immense scale of production that feeds a substantial portion of the United States during winter.
4. Yuma Medjool Date Festival
Celebrating one of the region’s sweetest harvests, the Yuma Medjool Date Festival is an annual event that showcases the versatility and importance of dates in Yuma’s agriculture. The festival is not only a testament to the local community’s hard work but also an experience that is ultra unique to Yuma.
5. Historic Downtown
Yuma’s historic downtown area is a charming combination of the old and the new. With buildings that date back to the late 1800s, the area is home to a variety of shops, restaurants, and cafes. Main Street is often bustling with activity, hosting farmers’ markets and cultural events that bring the community together. This historic district offers a cozy, small-town feel amidst its desert surroundings.
6. Sanguinetti House Museum and Gardens
The Sanguinetti House Museum and Gardens provide a welcome escape in the heart of Yuma. This late 19th-century home was once the residence of E.F. Sanguinetti, a prominent local merchant. Today, it serves as a museum showcasing Yuma’s history and culture. The lush gardens surrounding the house are a beautiful example of what can bloom in the desert with a little care and effort.
7. Imperial Sand Dunes
Just a short drive from Yuma, the Imperial Sand Dunes are a breathtaking natural wonder. This vast expanse of golden sands is a favorite among off-roaders and filmmakers alike. The dunes offer a dramatic landscape for photography, hiking, and dune buggy rides. Visiting the Imperial Sand Dunes feels like stepping onto another planet, providing an unforgettable adventure.
8. Gateway Park
Situated along the banks of the Colorado River, Gateway Park is a family-friendly spot with sandy beaches, picnic areas, and playgrounds. It’s the perfect place for a day out with the family.
9. Yuma Art Center
The Yuma Art Center is a beacon of creativity in the community. It’s a place where local artists and artisans can showcase their work, and art enthusiasts can immerse themselves in the local culture. The center’s commitment to fostering artistic expression makes it a vital part of Yuma’s culture.
10. Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area
Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area tells the story of the region’s development and its significance in American history. This area includes several historical sites and parks that highlight Yuma’s role as a strategic crossing point over the Colorado River. The heritage area not only preserves important landmarks but also educates visitors on the pivotal moments and figures that shaped the American Southwest we know today.
With sand, sun and sea stretching an impressive 825 miles across the state, Florida is the clear choice for visitors who want to enjoy some time at the beach. In fact, about a third of all travelers will head to at least one of the state’s beaches while visiting.
Beaches can be found along the state’s Panhandle in the north, the Gulf of Mexico in the west and the Atlantic Ocean on its east coast. And don’t forget the dozens of islands that make up the Florida Keys along the state’s southern end.
While it may be impossible to definitively tell you what the best beach in Florida is, here are several contenders for the top spot.
Florida beaches overview
Depending on where you go in Florida, you could end up swimming in one of two bodies of water. The beaches in the Panhandle and down the west side of the state border the Gulf of Mexico, while those on the eastern side of the state sit on the Atlantic Ocean.
What’s the difference? If you’re an early riser and want to watch the sun rise over the water, choose a beach on the Atlantic side, where you’ll find large waves and golden-brown sand. If you prefer catching a vibrant sunset instead, head to the Gulf, where the sand is often whiter and waves are smaller.
It’s warm enough to swim everywhere in Florida between April and October. The further south you go, the warmer the water is in the winter.
During the summer, the Gulf is warmer than the Atlantic. Its waters can reach 90 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer — sometimes the water is even warmer than the air. Meanwhile, the waters of the Atlantic usually remain in the 80s. For some perspective, most people will be comfortable swimming when the water is about 75-80 degrees.
🤓Nerdy Tip
Many Florida beaches have areas where pets can run off-leash, but make sure to check the specific regulations of the beach you’re visiting before you bring your pet.
Some beaches have lifeguards on duty as well as amenities like bathrooms and snack shacks, while others are more rustic without much in the way of services.
Best beaches to visit in Florida
1. South Beach
With its Art Deco architecture, hip restaurants and bars, and lots of nightlife, Miami’s two-mile long South Beach is the place to see and be seen. Visitors and locals alike also come here to enjoy Lummus Park, a beachside spot featuring playgrounds, walking trails, a fitness area and plenty of popular events.
2. Hollywood Beach
Hollywood Beach, a family-friendly spot just south of Fort Lauderdale, has clean beaches and a pedestrian promenade, known as the Broadwalk, that features restaurants, shopping and hotels.
If the kids tire of sandcastles and waves, they can visit Charnow Park with its playgrounds and interactive fountain. It’s a good mix of old-Florida charm and modern amenities.
3. Daytona Beach
Farther north on the Atlantic coast, Daytona Beach comes with hard-packed sand and a gentle slope leading to the water — ideal for learning to surf. Here, you’ll find 23 miles of coastline along with plenty of hotels, shops and restaurants.
It’s also one of the few places you can actually drive on the beach — very slowly and tide permitting — for $20 a day per vehicle.
4. Panama City Beach
Up in the Panhandle is Panama City Beach, known for its 27 miles of emerald green waters and sugar sand. Those who fish or dive love the area because of the many artificial reefs just offshore. Plus, the water is some of the clearest in the state.
Many of the beaches face west, meaning the sun sets directly over the water, making for spectacular views.
5. Destin
The Destin and Fort Walton Beach areas are called the Emerald Coast for a reason: The water off the 24-mile stretch of beach is often a vibrant green. Beyond the usual beach attractions of wharfs and piers, Crab Island is a big draw. Not actually an island but a raised sandbar, it’s a place where boaters can hang out, enjoy camaraderie and take advantage of a floating bar in the middle of it all.
6. Clearwater Beach
Farther south along the Gulf coast, near Tampa Bay, is Clearwater Beach. Over the years, it’s been named by many as the top beach in the country. The beach sits on a barrier island and touts 35 miles of sand along with hotels, restaurants and activities including an aquarium and alligator sanctuary.
Visitors can also visit Pier 60, a 1,080-foot fishing pier that hosts a nightly sunset festival.
The best beaches in Florida state parks
Many of Florida’s beaches are located in state parks. They cover 100 miles of coastline across the state, but are usually more undeveloped. Some are home to both nesting sea turtles and shorebirds. The state parks also participate in sand dune and reef conservation efforts to protect the areas from storms, filter out pollutants and serve as fish nurseries.
7. Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park
Located on a barrier island in the Panhandle just south of Tallahassee, St. George Island State Park is a great spot for laid-back beach goers and nature lovers.
It was named the top beach in the country in 2023 by coastal expert Stephen Leatherman (“Dr. Beach”), who releases a well-known annual U.S. beach ranking. The state park’s beach won accolades due to its nine miles of undeveloped beaches, natural beauty and clear water.
8. Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park is on the southern end of Key West, where the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico meet. In addition to swimming, snorkeling and fishing, visitors can tour Fort Taylor, a national historic monument that played roles in both the Civil and Spanish-American wars.
9. Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island State Parks
Located near Dunedin just north of St. Petersburg, both Honeymoon Island State Park and Caladesi Island State Park consistently top the list of Florida’s best beaches.
While Caladesi Island is only accessible by boat, nearby Honeymoon Island’s four miles of beach can be reached by car. It’s also where you can catch the ferry to Caladesi Island.
Other good Florida beach options
In case you still haven’t found the perfect destination for your dream beach vacation, here are a handful of other beaches around the state that may hit the spot.
10. Siesta Key
Located on the Gulf coast about halfway down the state is Siesta Key. The eight-mile island is connected by bridge to Sarasota and has plenty of shopping, dining and sports options. It’s loved by visitors because of its clear and calm water, powdery white sand and outdoor recreation opportunities like parasailing and volleyball.
11. Space Coast beaches
The 72 miles of shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean near Cape Canaveral is called the Space Coast. As some of the closest beaches to Orlando, they’re a great choice for travelers wanting to combine a beach trip with some of Florida’s famous theme parks.
The most popular beach in the area is Cocoa Beach. Home to Ron Jon Surf Shop, the world’s largest surfing store, it’s a great place to ride the waves and meet fellow surfers. If surfing isn’t your thing, you can try other activities like kayaking, deep sea fishing and kiteboarding.
And visitors of all ages can enjoy a visit to the nearby Kennedy Space Center. If you time your visit to the Space Coast right, you might even be treated to a rocket launch.
12. Fort Myers beaches
Before Hurricane Ian slammed into Fort Myers Beach and nearby Sanibel and Captiva Islands in September 2022, the area consistently found itself at the top of many lists of Florida’s best beaches.
As businesses continue to rebuild, there’s still plenty of sand and sun for those willing to come. Shell collectors should head to Sanibel or Captiva Islands, where these ocean treasures can be had in spades thanks to the region’s ocean currents and coastline orientation.
13. Jacksonville beaches
Some of the northernmost beaches on Florida’s Atlantic coast are in the Jacksonville area and include St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra. Dubbed the Historic Coast, there are 42 miles of beachfront to explore, including at Fort Matanzas National Monument, which was built in 1742 by the Spanish military to defend the area.
Driving on the sand is allowed in designated areas along St. Augustine Beach for a fee. And if you need a break from the water, Ponte Vedra Beach offers many world-renowned golf courses.
Florida beaches recapped
If you’re in the mood for a beach vacation, heading to Florida is a great option. With hundreds of miles of coastline spanning two bodies of water, it would take years — if not a lifetime — to explore it all.
Whether you want to combine your beach trip with a visit to Walt Disney World and the Kennedy Space Center, or you prefer the low-key vibes of a state park, Florida has you covered.
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The late January auction of iconic Hamptons estate ‘La Dune’ marked the first time a property was included in an art auction at Sotheby’s. The $88.48 million winning bid on ‘La Dune’ also made the estate the most valuable property ever auctioned live at Sotheby’s.
‘La Dune’ was included in Sotheby’s weeklong ‘Visions of America’ auction, which included art and luxury items that showcased “the heights of American craftsmanship in the finest art and objects.”
The estate consists of two residences on a four-acre property on Gin Lan in the Southampton area of Long Island. The residences were offered individually and collectively via Sotheby’s Concierge Auctions in partnership with Harald Grant of Sotheby’s International Realty, Tim Davis of The Corcoran Group, and Cody Vichinsky, the president and founding partner of Bespoke Real Estate.
Bidders from North America and the Caribbean competed for the residences in the auction room, on the telephone via a team of specialist and online. Ultimately, both residences sold to a single bidder, with the winning bid being 121.2% higher than the opening bid.
“The remarkable final sale price for ‘La Dune’ reflects its stunning design, exclusive address, and historic pedigree,” said Chad Roffers, the founder and CEO of Sotheby’s Concierge Auctions, who recently appeared on HousingWire’s Power House Podcast. “It’s a result that our team, as the world’s leading luxury property auctioneer, is best positioned to obtain. We deal in real market value, which is ultimately measured by what a group of qualified bidders are willing to pay for a unique, one-of-a-kind piece of real estate like ‘La Dune.’”
Boasting more than 11,000 square feet with 10 bedrooms, eight bathrooms and staff quarters, ‘La Dune’s’ main house was designed by Stanford White. The second residence, which was built in 2001, was designed by French architect Francois Cartoux.
“I am pleased to have partnered with Sotheby’s Concierge Auctions on yesterday’s sale of the iconic ‘La Dune’ residence,” Grant said in a statement. “This extraordinary oceanfront compound represents one of the finest offerings in the Hamptons; it is no surprise that this auction resulted in a record sale.”
The $88.48 million sale includes a 12% buyer’s premium that goes to the auctioneers and the real estate brokers who marketed it. ‘La Dune’ has been listed on and off since 2016, and was once asking $150 million.
In 2022, Sotheby’s Concierge Auctions broke the world record for the most expensive residence ever sold at auction and the highest sale for any U.S. property listed that year, with the successful auction of the $141 million California estate, known as ‘The One.’
A city that needs no introduction, Las Vegas is a glittering oasis in the heart of the Nevada desert. From its inception as a humble railroad stopover to becoming a global entertainment icon, Las Vegas has etched its name into the annals of history. Instantly recognizable for its neon-lit skyline, iconic resort casinos, and high energy, Las Vegas is where fantasy becomes reality. But what exactly is Las Vegas known for? Whether you’re looking to rent an apartment in Las Vegas or purchase a home in the area, prepare to uncover what makes this beautiful city what it is today.
World-class casinos
Las Vegas boasts several famous casinos that have become synonymous with luxury, excitement, and indulgence. From the Flamingo, the first major resort on the Strip, to the Bellagio with its famous dancing fountains, these casinos offer numerous gaming options, from slot machines and table games to poker rooms and sports betting. Each casino has its unique theme and atmosphere, transporting visitors to different corners of the world. Not to mention, the architecture, interior designs, and entertainment options, including live performances and celebrity chef restaurants, make Las Vegas casinos a haven for those seeking a one-of-a-kind entertainment experience.
Being a global entertainment epicenter
From residency shows featuring artists like Kelly Clarkson, Elton John, Adele, and Luke Bryan, to Cirque du Soleil productions such as “O” and “Mystère,” the city’s theaters and venues offer many different types of live entertainment. Beyond music and theater, Las Vegas has many attractions along or close to the strip, including the Bellagio Fountains, the High Roller observation wheel, and the Mirage Volcano. The city’s nightlife is equally renowned, with its vibrant nightclubs and bars drawing international DJs and partygoers.
Thrilling outdoor adventures
Las Vegas offers exhilarating outdoor adventures for those exploring the surrounding region. Within a short distance, visitors can go on desert excursions, such as off-roading adventures in rugged terrains, guided ATV tours through Red Rock Canyon’s stunning landscapes, or even dune buggy rides across the sand dunes of the Mojave Desert. For the more adventurous, opportunities for rock climbing, hiking, and rappelling in nearby canyons like the picturesque Valley of Fire provide a unique blend of adrenaline and breathtaking scenery. Additionally, the nearby Colorado River invites visitors to engage in activities like kayaking, paddleboarding, and even white-water rafting.
The Las Vegas Strip
The Las Vegas Strip is a world-famous thoroughfare stretching approximately 4.2 miles along Las Vegas Boulevard South. This iconic street features resort casinos, dazzling neon lights, and bustling crowds. Each resort along the Strip has its own unique theme, from the elegant Venetian with its intricate replica of Venice’s canals to the pyramid-shaped Luxor and the extravagant Paris Las Vegas. The Strip is not only a hub of gambling and gaming, but it also offers entertainment, from mesmerizing theatrical productions to world-class concerts by renowned artists.
Unique landmarks
Las Vegas has unique landmarks that contribute to its distinctive and iconic character. The famed Las Vegas Strip is a remarkable landmark, but there are many other attractions to check out. Some of which include the Neon Boneyard (which showcases a dazzling collection of vintage neon signs), the “Pawn Stars” Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, and the unconventional and artistic Container Park.
Fine dining
Las Vegas has established itself as a global culinary destination, offering an exquisite array of fine dining experiences. Renowned for celebrity chef restaurants, the city boasts a culinary landscape where innovation meets luxury. From the elegant and contemporary ambiance of Joël Robuchon at the MGM Grand to the sophisticated Italian cuisine of Carbone at ARIA, these establishments elevate dining to an art form. Notably, the Wynn and Encore resorts house a collection of fine dining gems, including SW Steakhouse and Wing Lei, the first Chinese restaurant in the U.S. to earn a Michelin star.
Fremont Street
Often referred to as the “original Las Vegas,” Fremont Street boasts a rich history dating back to the city’s early days, lined with vintage casinos, neon signs, and a distinctive retro charm. The renowned Fremont Street Experience, a massive canopy of LED lights, hosts dazzling light shows and concerts, immersing visitors in a visual display. The street is also home to some of Las Vegas’s oldest and most iconic casinos, including the Golden Nugget and Binion’s. Street performers and live music are common throughout all parts of the day.
Las Vegas Market is gearing up for its summer 2023 event with the announcement of its 40 Market Snapshot Finalists as part of its semi-annual collection of innovative products from its furniture, home décor, gift, and home and gift temporary categories.
“The Market Snapshot finalists showcase breadth and depth across all Las Vegas Market product categories,” said Dorothy Belshaw, Andmore’s executive vice president and chief growth officer. “In addition to these 40 finalists, buyers can expect to discover a wealth of new and exciting product at this summer’s market.”
“People’s Choice” voting to find the top three products among the 40 home and gift products is open now through July 30. Voters can participate online at Las Vegas Market’s website and on Instagram stories from July 24-29 at noon. Winners will be announced on the opening day of Las Vegas Market, July 30, at World Market Center Las Vegas.
For eight weeks leading up to Las Vegas Market, five products were identified as Market Snapshot finalists and showcased across all of Las Vegas Market social media channels. Snapshot finalists will be displayed in the Building C lobby and the Building A, Floor 2 escalator landing during market.
The 40 summer 2023 Las Vegas Market Snapshot Finalists include the following products:
You’ve likely heard of Fort Lauderdale as a top spring break destination, but the town has loads of things to keep vacationers busy almost any time of year. Known as “the Venice of America” due to its inland waterways, you can explore Fort Lauderdale by water taxi or kayak, as well as take in its beautiful parks, shop on Las Olas Boulevard, and (of course) hit the many amazing beaches nearby.
Learn more about the top 10 best things to do in Fort Lauderdale here, as well as tips to make your getaway go as smoothly as possible. Once you’ve got your itinerary and travel plans wrangled, you’ll be set to enjoy the sun and the fun.
Best Times to Go to Fort Lauderdale
The best time to go to Fort Lauderdale is in the spring, between March and May. Average temperatures are in the 80s, and it is not too humid or rainy. The fall and winter (from early November onward) is also a good time to go to Fort Lauderdale, as it can be less crowded but still enjoy good weather, also in the 80s.
The winter holidays are a great time to escape cold weather and visit this Florida hotspot. You may not be able to go swimming in the ocean due to chilly water temperatures, but otherwise you can probably have a great time.
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Bad Times to Go to Fort Lauderdale
Summer in Fort Lauderdale can be hot, humid, and rainy. Average temperatures are in the 90s. June is the rainiest month, so summer travel may be the worst time to go to Fort Lauderdale.
Although spring is a wonderful time to go to Fort Lauderdale, try to avoid school spring break time, which is usually mid March through early April. It can be more crowded and expensive due to all of the families and students who are traveling.
Average Cost of a Fort Lauderdale Vacation
Fort Lauderdale is a relatively affordable vacation spot. Hotels in Central Beach, near the ocean, will cost you around $250 to $400 on a typical weekend in April. If you are wondering how to save money on hotels, try staying in Downtown Fort Lauderdale, which is still a central location and hotels cost $180 to $300 on the same weekend. The average hotel cost is around $192 per night.
On average, one week for a couple costs about $2,549; for one person, that would be $1,275 for a week-long stay. Of course, you should factor in other costs when budgeting for your trip, like car rentals, rideshares, food, entertainment, plane tickets and/or gas.
When budgeting for a trip, you should also think about where to keep travel funds. Ideally, you can sock away money in an interest-bearing account, like a savings account that earns an above-average rate of return. Typically, this means an online bank vs. a traditional one.
If you are thinking about booking a trip to Fort Lauderdale but are worried that you may have unforeseen circumstances and have to cancel your trip, you can look into travel insurance. If you pay for your trip with certain credit cards, they may provide travel insurance. You should understand how credit card travel insurance works when deciding whether to purchase private travel insurance or use your credit card protections.
10 Fun Must-Dos in Fort Lauderdale
Florida is mostly known for beaches, but there are plenty of other things to do in Fort Lauderdale. This list of the top 10 must-dos in Fort Lauderdale was curated from frequent travelers’ and residents’ recommendations, as well as online review sites. Included is a mix of favorite destinations, free activities, and some off-the-beaten-path ones. The list includes things that you can do with a family, by yourself, with a partner, and with a group of friends.
One important note: If you are going on a Fort Lauderdale vacation trip, you may want to look into renting a car. Many of the attractions on this list require a car to get to. If you don’t want to rent a car, you could also take rideshares or limit your activities to ones within walking distance of your hotel.
That said, here are the top 10 fun things to do while visiting Fort Lauderdale.
1. Head to Fort Lauderdale Beach
What is a trip to Fort Lauderdale without a beach? Fort Lauderdale Beach is a typical Florida beach to enjoy at no charge, making it one of the best free things to do in Fort Lauderdale. With four miles of palm-tree lined beaches, this coastline is an iconic destination.
Yes, Fort Lauderdale Beach has some typical partiers, but it is also very family-friendly. Bringing your own towel, chairs, food and beach toys can be how families afford to travel to beach destinations.
2. Eat Well
While you’re at the beach, you’re likely to get hungry. Fortunately, there are great restaurants nearby, serving everything from great grilled cheese or Cuban sandwiches (try the popular Padrino’s Cuban) to fresh fish, caught just a few dozen yards away (say, at Sea Watch on the Ocean). Or just beat the 3 pm slump with some coffee; the Alchemist’s patio is a top spot.
3. Shop Las Olas Boulevard
Las Olas Boulevard is a well-known street in Fort Lauderdale with many restaurants, shops, art galleries, and museums. Many of the shops are upscale with recognizable designer names, so prices may be high (swipe or tap with your plastic to pay, though, and you could earn some hefty credit card rewards).
Traveling on a budget? Window-shop while enjoying that warm Fort Lauderdale weather.
4. Visit Historic Stranahan House Museum
The Historic Stranahan House Museum, Fort Lauderdale’s oldest surviving home, is located off Las Olas Boulevard. A founding farmer, Frank Stranahan, built Stranahan House in 1901. It’s a wood-frame vernacular building with wide porches in front that take in incredible view of the New River. The structure has served as everything from a home to a town hall to a post office in its 100+-year history. Today, visitors can visit the museum by taking a guided tour, which are offered at 1 pm, 2 pm and 3 pm, with the exception of major holidays, and cost $12. Advance booking recommended. stranahanhouse.org/
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5. Stroll Through Flamingo Gardens
Flamingo Gardens is a botanical garden and Everglades wildlife refuge located 17 miles from downtown Fort Lauderdale. As the name indicated, yes, you can see those unusually colored flamingos, as well as freely roaming peacocks, plus sea otters, panthers, and alligators. There are lush gardens, too. Run by a nonprofit organization, Flamingo Gardens is open every day between 9:30 am and 5 pm, and costs $21.95 for adults and $15.95 for children. There is a free tram tour through the park that runs between 11 am and 4 pm. flamingogardens.org/
6. Immerse Yourself in Butterfly World
If you would rather see butterflies than flamingos, Butterfly World may be an attraction to visit; it’s definitely a fun thing to do in Fort Lauderdale. Here’s why: It’s home to more than 20,000 live butterflies and more than 50 species. It’s a magical experience to see them up-close and in such great numbers.
Butterfly World is located in Coconut Creek, about 15 miles from downtown Fort Lauderdale. Ticket prices are $32.50 for adults and $22.50 for children. It is open 7 days a week, typically from 9 am to 5 pm, and closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter Sunday. Hours are subject to change due to weather, so check before visiting. butterflyworld.com/
7. Be Amazed at the Museum of Discovery and Science
Keep your brain engaged in between beach visits. The Museum of Discovery and Science has a variety of fascinating exhibits, like ones that give you a deep dive into dinosaurs, space, gravity, ecology, and food. Located in the City View neighborhood, the museum is open every day from 10 am to 5 pm except Thanksgiving day and some local holidays. Tickets cost $24 to $27. mods.org/exhibits/
8. Hop on a Water Taxi
Fort Lauderdale is known for its waterways that weave through the verdant Florida landscape. The Water Taxi lets you see the city from the water, while learning about its history during the narrated ride. You can hop on and off at 11 stops on the Water Taxi. Tickets range from $15 to $35, and it operates 7 days a week between 10 am and 10 pm. watertaxi.com/
9. Spend Time at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
Ready to hike, kayak, or just take in the view? Head to Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, located between the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean. The park has coastal dune lakes, where you can canoe or kayak, plus a top-notch coastal trail that will have you trekking through a native maritime tropical hardwood hammock ecosystem.
Incidentally, if you are traveling with pets, there’s a dog beach at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. Canine Beach is a 100-yard stretch of coastline where you and your doggo can frolic.
The Hugh Taylor Birch State Park is open every day from 8 am to sunset, and costs $6 per vehicle for up to eight people, or $4 for a single-occupant vehicle. floridastateparks.org/HughTaylorBirch
10. Live Large at Gulfstream Park
If you’re looking for a break from the beach and craving entertainment, try Gulfstream Park, another of the 10 best things to do in Fort Lauderdale. The Park features a thoroughbred horse racetrack, which can be a total thrill. Plus there’s dining, outdoor shopping, a casino, a bowling alley, and an entertainment venue. Horse races are held every Wednesday to Sunday from December through September. There are special events throughout the year, like the annual Florida Derby in March or April. And here’s a plus: There’s no admission fee to the racetrack, making it one of the fun free things to do in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. gulfstreampark.com/
The Takeaway
Florida is a popular destination for some of the best weather and beaches in America, and Fort Lauderdale has all that and more. It can be a great place to vacation for its natural beauty and sun, but it also offers terrific museums, dining, shopping, and other attractions. Whether you have a full week or a long weekend, this Southern Florida destination can make for a memorable getaway.
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FAQ
What is Fort Lauderdale best known for?
Fort Lauderdale is best known for its beaches, arts, and shopping. Along with beautiful beaches, Fort Lauderdale has canals and a historic riverfront to explore as well.
What is the famous strip in Fort Lauderdale?
Las Olas Boulevard is located in Fort Lauderdale and has shopping, art galleries, restaurants, bars, and more. For those who like shopping or window-shopping at designer boutiques, Las Olas Boulevard is a top destination.
Is Fort Lauderdale a walking town?
Some areas of Fort Lauderdale are walkable, like Las Olas Boulevard. However, if you want to explore multiple areas or attractions of Fort Lauderdale, you will likely need a car to cover the distances involved.
Photo credit: iStock/Cassanas
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Massachusetts is known for its coastal cities lining the Atlantic Ocean and Cape Cod Bay. With sparkling waves and tan sands, boating, sightseeing, and fishing, these picturesque coastal Massachusetts towns are top-tier. Whether you’re looking to move to Massachusetts or want to relocate to a quaint beachfront city, there are plenty of options to check out in the state.
But if you’re not sure what beach towns in Massachusetts to check out, we’ve got you covered. To help you find the right area, Redfin has gathered a list of 14 coastal Massachusetts towns from Nantucket to Plymouth. Let’s dive into some of Massachusetts’s top beach cities, listed in alphabetical order, so you can find the right place for you.
#1: Chatham
Median home price: $756,000 Chatham, MA homes for sale Chatham, MA apartments for rent
Beginning our list is Chatham, home to about 6,100 people. There are plenty of beaches to explore living in Chatham such as Cockle Cove Beach, Forest Beach, Hardings Beach, Jackknife Beach, Lighthouse Beach, North Beach, and Ridgevale Beach. Living in Chatham, you can explore nature areas like Monmoy National Wildlife Refuge, Tern Island Sanctuary, or Cape Cod National Seashore, visit the Chatham Lighthouse, and spend the day at Oyster Pond Beach.
#2: Dennis
Median home price: $697,500 Dennis, MA homes for sale Dennis, MA apartments for rent
Another one of Massachusetts’s great beach towns to consider buying a home in is Dennis. There are numerous beaches to visit like Chapin Memorial Beach, Cold Storage Beach, Corporation Beach, Haigis Beach, Glendon Road Beach, Mayflower Beach, Nobscusset Beach, Sea Street Beach, South Village Beach, Trotting Park Beach, and West Dennis Beach. In Dennis, you can also check out the Cape Cod Museum of Art, spend the day at Scargo Lake and see the Scargo Tower, or grab a great local meal in town or by the water.
#3: Edgartown
Median home price: $9,000,000 Edgartown, MA homes for sale Edgartown, MA apartments for rent
With just about 520 residents, Edgartown is next on our list of coastal Massachusetts towns. Located on Martha’s Vineyard, there are lots of beaches to explore on a sunny Massachusetts day – East Beach, Edgartown Beach, Fuller Street Beach, Lighthouse Beach, Norton Point Beach, and South Beach. If you find yourself moving to Edgartown, explore the sites on Chappaquiddick Island, see the Edgartown Harbor Light, and check out the charming downtown area where you’ll find shops, restaurants, and parks.
#4: Falmouth
Median home price: $726,000 Falmouth, MA homes for sale Falmouth, MA apartments for rent
Home to beautiful beaches like Black Beach, Chapoquoit Beach, Falmouth Heights Beach, Megansett Beach, Menauhant Beach, Nobska Beach, Old Silver Beach, Surf Drive Beach, and Woodneck Beach, there are countless places to spend a beach day in Falmouth. With roughly 31,500 residents living in Falmouth, make sure to also explore the Frances A. Crane Wildlife Management Area, check out downtown Falmouth, or take a ferry to Martha’s Vineyard.
#5: Gloucester
Median home price: $550,000 Gloucester, MA homes for sale Gloucester, MA apartments for rent
The charming beach town of Gloucester has about 29,900 residents, making it another great place to add to your list. You’ll find gorgeous beaches such as Coffins Beach, Good Harbor Beach, Half Moon Beach, Niles Beach, Pavillion Beach, Plum Cove Beach, and Wingaersheek Beach. In Gloucester, you can tour the Hammond Castle Museum, explore the Red Rocks Conservation area, and see the sites around downtown.
#6: Ipswich
Median home price: $610,000 Ipswich, MA homes for sale Ipswich, MA apartments for rent
The town of Ipswich is a great coastal town to consider renting or buying a home in that only has about 13,200 residents. Some beaches you can visit are Crane Beach, Pavillion Beach, and Steep Hill Beach. There’s lots of activities to do in Ipswich like exploring Sandy Point State Reservation, checking out Castle Hill on the Crane Estate, and having a meal at a local restaurant in downtown Ipswich, among many other local favorites.
#7: Nantucket
Median home price: $5,100,000 Nantucket, MA homes for sale Nantucket, MA apartments for rent
With a population of close to 11,300, Nantucket is an awesome coastal Massachusetts town to live in. Located on Nantucket Island, there are plenty of beaches to explore – 40th Pole Beach, Cisco Beach, Coskata Beach, Dionis Beach, Jetties Beach, Madaket Beach, Madequecham Beach, Miacomet Beach, and Nobadeer Beach. If you find yourself moving to Nantucket, make sure to check out the Great Point Lighthouse, tour through downtown and see the Whaling Museum, or have a meal overlooking the water.
#8: Newburyport
Median home price: $625,000 Newburyport, MA homes for sale Newburyport, MA apartments for rent
With amazing beaches such as Plum Island Beach, Newburyport is great for enjoying a sunny day. Be sure to check out Maudslay State Park, explore the downtown area where you’ll find historic sites and plenty of waterfront restaurants, or stroll the Newburyport Harborwalk Rail Trail.
#9: Oak Bluffs
Median home price: $1,487,500 Oak Bluffs, MA homes for sale Oak Bluffs, MA apartments for rent
Just about 4,700 people live in Oak Bluffs where you’ll find beaches like Eastville Point Beach, Inkwell Beach, Joseph Sylvia State Beach, and Oak Bluffs Town Beach. Some other fun activities to do in Oak Bluffs include seeing all the charming houses and historic sites in the downtown area, grabbing a meal at a local restaurant, or taking the ferry to Hyannis Port.
#10: Orleans
Median home price: $390,000 Orleans, MA homes for sale Orleans, MA apartments for rent
Located along Cape Cod, Orleans has a population of 5,800 and there are lots of beaches to enjoy a picnic at. In Orleans, you can visit Nauset Beach and Skaket Beach. You’ll also have plenty of activities to explore during your free time, like visiting Kent’s Point, exploring downtown Orleans, and having some fresh seafood at a local restaurant.
#11: Plymouth
Median home price: $598,752 Plymouth, MA homes for sale Plymouth, MA apartments for rent
One of Massachusetts’s historic cities, Plymouth, had to make our list. In Plymouth, there are lots of beaches you’ll want to spend time at, like Nelson Beach, Plymouth Beach, Priscilla Beach, and Surfside Beach. This coastal town is home to 60,800 inhabitants and you’ll find countless other activities like exploring the historic sites downtown like Plymouth Rock, the Mayflower II, or the Plymouth Village Historic District, hiking through Myles Standish State Forest, and stopping by one of the many local cafes or breweries.
#12: Provincetown
Median home price: $380,000 Provincetown, MA homes for sale Provincetown, MA apartments for rent
Provincetown has lots of beaches, great for a day outside. Some well-known spots are Boy Beach, Herring Cove Beach, Long Point Beach, and Race Point Beach. Looking for something to do in town? Make sure to hike along the Dune Shacks Trail or the Beech Forest Trail, explore the Provincetown Historic District and visit the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum, or birdwatch at Provincetown Harbor Jetties.
#13: Rockport
Median home price: $510,000 Rockport, MA homes for sale Rockport, MA apartments for rent
Next up on our list is Rockport. There are lots of beaches to check out if you decide Rockport is the coastal Massachusetts town for you. Some of the local spots include Back Beach Landing, Cape Hedge Beach, Front Beach, Long Beach, and Old Garden Beach. In this town of 7,000 residents, you can also explore Halibut State Park, check out the downtown area where you’ll find lots of local restaurants and shops, and visit some of the museums.
#14: Wellfleet
Median home price: $380,000 Wellfleet, MA homes for sale Wellfleet, MA apartments for rent
With just about 2,700 residents, Wellfleet is a quaint seaside town to consider moving to. You can take in the waterfront views at Cahoon Hollow Beach, Duck Harbor Beach, Indian Neck Beach, Lecount Hollow Beach, Maguire Landing Beach, Marconi Beach, Newcomb Hollow Beach, and White Crest Beach. For a break from the beach, you can also explore the Marconi Wildlife Management Area or Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, hike along the Great Island Trail, and explore the downtown Wellfleet area.
Note, this list is not comprehensive of all the beach towns in Massachusetts. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during June 2023. Average rental data from Rent.com June 2023. Population data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.
Every once in a while, a movie sequel or remake surpasses the original film. After polling the internet, “Name a single movie where the sequel or remake was better than the original?” Here are the top-voted responses.
1. The Dark Knight (2008)
“The Dark Knight had so many more moving pieces. They were beautifully done, but you could argue that the Joker was the main character, not Batman,” one suggested. Another confessed, “I have no attachment to Batman, grew up a Captain America fan and Marvel in general, but The Dark Knight is the best superhero movie, full stop.”
2. Spider-Man 2 (2004)
Someone stated, “Following up with Spider-Man 2. Superhero sequels are the exception to the rule because the first one is usually the origin story. For example, Batman Begins spends half the movie not being Batman.” “Spider-Man 2 elevated the superhero movie genre. It explored the human side of being a superhero,” a second added.
3. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
“Terminator 2: Judgment Day. Greatest action film of all time” claimed one. Another argued, “Terminator 2 is in the conversation for the most remarkable film of all time. Period.”
4. The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
“The Empire Strikes Back has to be the ultimate answer, right? Interestingly enough, it’s the one film in the trilogy directed by Irvin Kirshner, and George Lucas purportedly considers it the weakest of the three,” shared one.
5. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
“Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan,” another noted. “The real testament to this film’s greatness is that you don’t need to have watched any Star Trek before it to be blown away. I took my significant other to see a showing at Montalban’s theater, and she loved it, having never seen an original Star Trek episode or film prior.”
6. The Thing (1982)
“The Thing with Kurt Russell. John Carpenter doesn’t always strike gold, but when he does, he nails it. I rewatch The Thing almost every year. Top five GOAT horror flicks easily,” one suggested. Another concurred, “The most obvious answer to the remake question.”
7. Paddington 2 (2017)
“Paddington 2. I say that in the knowledge that the original Paddington is a work of art,” shared one. Another confessed, “I cried through the entire thing. It made me want to be a better man.”
8. The Rescuers Down Under (1990)
“The Rescuers Down Under,” one replied. “A film with no business getting a sequel, in which the sequel had no business being that good. You can see where the animation budget exploded.”
“It was the first film to use Disney’s new digital animation system. The Little Mermaid had a scene using it at the end as a test, but most of it was still hand-inked and painted. I’m sure they wanted to go all out with it,” another suggested.
9. Ocean’s 11 (2001)
“Ocean’s Eleven. The original with The Rat Pack was not great. People don’t realize that it was a remake. The original was from 1960. As someone who loves a good heist movie and who loves old stuff, I said, heck yeah, and wasted my time watching it. I mean it. It wasted my time. Very disappointing,” someone shared.
10. Dredd (2012)
“Dredd with Karl Urban is way better than Sylvester Stallone’s version,” one suggested. “The worst thing about Urban’s is that it just leaves you wanting a sequel. I couldn’t believe how much I enjoyed it,” confessed another.
11. Evil Dead II (1987)
“Evil Dead 2. I know this is the film I’ve watched more than any other. It’s just a flat-out masterpiece. Of course, I still have an enormous love for the first one, but what they did with the second is so creative and expanded the Ash character so much, and it’s just such an amazing physical performance.”
12. The Muppets Christmas Carol (1992)
“The Muppets Christmas Carol,” said one. “Finally, an indisputable fact. There are a bunch of decent to good versions of A Christmas Carol, but for some reason, the best version is the one with singing puppets,” another replied.
“It’s not the singing muppets alone that made it. It’s the stark contrast between the silliness of the muppets and Michael Caine playing Scrooge as serious as a heart attack,” a third argued.
13. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
“Captain America: The Winter Soldier is the best Marvel movie ever. Even if you’re not into Marvel, this movie is a great action movie,” claimed one. “I think the Captain America films are the most consistent series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe,” added another.
14. Shrek 2 (2004)
“Shrek 2 is a hill that I will die on,” stated one. “I’m convinced people think the first is better just because the Shrek concept was new and the first is more nostalgic. It was a good movie, but Shrek 2 was a masterpiece.”
15. The Suicide Squad (2021)
“The Suicide Squad with Idris Elba and John Cena destroys Suicide Squad with Will Smith. The first one was like, ‘Here’s our attempt to rip off Guardians of the Galaxy! It’s a bunch of wacky jerk characters you’ve never heard of and a lot of licensed music, and it’s more of a comedy than our other superhero movies!’
And then the sequel was, ‘That didn’t go as well as we wanted, so this time we literally hired the guy who made Guardians of the Galaxy to do it right!”
16. Dune (2021)
“The Dune remake was much better,” one replied. “Oh, David Lynch’s Dune isn’t without its charms. It’s a very odd movie,” a second argued. Finally, a third added, “Totally agree. It’s not as weird and fun as the original version, but it makes more sense regarding the book.”
17. Addams Family Values (1993)
“Addams Family Values. Joan Cusack deserved a supporting actress Oscar nomination. Her performance today still holds up 100%. She’s incredible, and Debbie is such a great character,” one suggested. Another added, “This was too far down. it took all the characters in great new directions. The Debbie and summer camp storylines are both fantastic.”
18. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
Someone confessed, “Mad Max: Fury Road. I went into that movie without expectations, which completely blew my mind. It’s my favorite movie in the past decade.” “Me too,” another admitted. “I watch it about once per year, and each time I watch it, my jaw is on the floor for the entire movie.”
19. Casino Royale (2006)
“Casino Royale,” shared one. “Possibly a hot take, but the intro song (You Know My Name by Chris Cornell) is easily my favorite of the James Bond intros.” “Agreed,” said another. “I loved that they used that song as his theme throughout the movie and didn’t play the classic James Bond theme until the end.”
20. Little Shop of Horrors (1986)
Someone suggested “Little Shop of Horrors.” “I never even knew there was a 1960 version. The 1986 version is a total classic,” admitted another. Finally, a third argued, “If we want to get super technical, the 1986 movie is based on the 1982 off-Broadway musical based on the 1960 movie.”
21. Logan (2017)
“I feel bad for The Wolverine since Logan so overshadowed it. Don’t get me wrong, Logan is the superior film, but The Wolverine significantly improved over X-Men Origins: Wolverine. It’s just that Logan was so good. Hugh Jackman is Wolverine,” one replied.
22. The Mummy (1999)
“The Mummy with Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz is the superior Mummy film. Another added, “Also if we are talking about the Fraser/Weisz continuity, I think The Mummy Returns improves on the original as well.”
23. The Fly (1986)
“The Fly,” one replied. “From what should have been a Twilight Zone episode to one of the best pieces of body horror in history AND brought us, Jeff Goldblum.” “Jeff Goldblum’s performance in The Fly is the male equivalent of Toni Colette’s in Hereditary,” a second suggested.
24. Rush Hour 2 (1998)
“Rush Hour 2. The original Rush Hour was slightly more serious, with hilarious moments like Lethal Weapon. However, Rush Hour 2 was the perfect balance of comedy and action,” shared one. “Absolutely. The chemistry, combined with Vegas hijinks and great villains, made for a rewatchable movie,” a third added.
25. The Godfather Part II (1977)
“The Godfather Part II. Why on earth did I have to scroll this far to find the number one answer,” someone asked. Another agreed, “It is widely considered that The Godfather Part II is the best movie ever made. So it shouldn’t be this far down the list!” Finally, a third stated, “I agree. I scrolled to almost madness. It’s the epitome of a sequel surpassing its original!”
Source: Reddit.
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Have you ever known someone and thought you liked them—until you learned about their hobbies? Then you get to know them and then you’re like, “Wow, red flag.” Well, you’re not alone.
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Some celebrities definitely seem to enjoy the limelight and keep working to stay in the public eye. While others quickly move out of the spotlight. Many of these actors and actresses stepped out of the spotlight to live a more private life without constant media pressures.
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High above the Las Vegas Strip, solar panels blanketed the roof of Mandalay Bay Convention Center — 26,000 of them, rippling across an area larger than 20 football fields.
From this vantage point, the sun-dappled Mandalay Bay and Delano hotels dominated the horizon, emerging like comically large golden scepters from the glittering black panels.Snow-tipped mountains rose to the west.
It was a cold winter morning in the Mojave Desert. But there was plenty of sunlight to supply the solar array.
“This is really an ideal location,” said Michael Gulich, vice president of sustainability at MGM Resorts International.
The same goes for the rest of Las Vegas and its sprawling suburbs.
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Sin City already has more solar panels per person than any major U.S. metropolis outside Hawaii, according to one analysis. And the city is bursting with single-family homes, warehouses and parking lots untouched by solar.
L.A. Times energy reporter Sammy Roth heads to the Las Vegas Valley, where giant solar fields are beginning to carpet the desert. But what is the environmental cost? (Video by Jessica Q. Chen, Maggie Beidelman / Los Angeles Times)
There’s enormous opportunity to lower household utility bills and cut climate pollution — without damaging wildlife habitat or disrupting treasured landscapes.
But that hasn’t stopped corporations from making plans to carpet the desert surrounding Las Vegas with dozens of giant solar fields — some of them designed to supply power to California. The Biden administration has fueled that growth, taking steps to encourage solar and wind energy development across vast stretches of public lands in Nevada and other Western states.
Those energy generators could imperil rare plants and slow-footed tortoises already threatened by rising temperatures.
They could also lessen the death and suffering from the worsening heat waves, fires, droughts and storms of the climate crisis.
Researchers have found there’s not nearly enough space on rooftops to supply all U.S. electricity — especially as more people drive electric cars. Even an analysis funded by rooftop solar advocates and installers found that the most cost-effective route to phasing out fossil fuels involves six times more power from big solar and wind farms than from smaller local solar systems.
But the exact balance has yet to be determined. And Nevada is ground zero for figuring it out.
The outcome could be determined, in part, by billionaire investor Warren Buffett.
The so-called Oracle of Omaha owns NV Energy, the monopoly utility that supplies electricity to most Nevadans. NV Energy and its investor-owned utility brethren across the country can earn huge amounts of money paving over public lands with solar and wind farms and building long-distance transmission lines to cities.
But by regulatory design, those companies don’t profit off rooftop solar. And in many cases, they’ve fought to limit rooftop solar — which can reduce the need for large-scale infrastructure and result in lower returns for investors.
Mike Troncoso remembers the exact date of Nevada’s rooftop solar reckoning.
It was Dec. 23, 2015, and he was working for SolarCity. The rooftop installer abruptly ceased operations in the Silver State after NV Energy helped persuade officials to slash a program that pays solar customers for energy they send to the power grid.
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“I was out in the field working, and we got a call: ‘Stop everything you’re doing, don’t finish the project, come to the warehouse,’” Troncoso said. “It was right before Christmas, and they said, ‘Hey, guys, unfortunately we’re getting shut down.’”
After a public outcry, Nevada lawmakers partly reversed the reductions to rooftop solar incentives. Since then, NV Energy and the rooftop solar industry have maintained an uneasy political ceasefire. Installations now exceed pre-2015 levels.
Today, Troncoso is Nevada branch manager for Sunrun, the nation’s largest rooftop solar installer. The company has enough work in the state to support a dozen crews, each named for a different casino. On a chilly winter morning before sunrise, they prepared for the day ahead — laying out steel rails, hooking up microinverters and loading panels onto powder-blue trucks.
But even if Sunrun’s business continues to grow, it won’t eliminate the need for large solar farms in the desert.
Some habitat destruction is unavoidable — at least if we want to break our fossil fuel addiction. The key questions are: How many big solar farms are needed, and where should they be built? Can they be engineered to coexist with animals and plants?
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And if not, should Americans be willing to sacrifice a few endangered species in the name of tackling climate change?
To answer those questions, Los Angeles Times journalists spent a week in southern Nevada, touring solar construction sites, hiking up sand dunes and off-roading through the Mojave. We spoke with NV Energy executives, conservation activists battling Buffett’s company and desert rats who don’t want to see their favorite off-highway vehicle trails cut off by solar farms.
Odds are, no one will get everything they want.
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The tortoise in the coal mine
Biologist Bre Moyle easily spotted the small yellow flag affixed to a scraggly creosote bush — one of many hardy plants sprouting from the caliche soil, surrounded by rows of gleaming steel trusses that would soon hoist solar panels toward the sky.
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Moyle leaned down for a closer look, gently pulling aside branches to reveal a football-sized hole in the ground. It was the entrance to a desert tortoise burrow — one of thousands catalogued by her employer, Primergy Solar, during construction of one of the nation’s largest solar farms on public lands outside Las Vegas.
“I wouldn’t stand on this side of it,” Moyle advised us. “If you walk back there, you could collapse it, potentially.”
I’d seen plenty of solar construction sites in my decade reporting on energy. But none like this.
Instead of tearing out every cactus and other plant and leveling the land flat — the “blade and grade” method — Primergy had left much of the native vegetation in place and installed trusses of different heights to match the ground’s natural contours. The company had temporarily relocated more than 1,600 plants to an on-site nursery, with plans to put them back later.
The Oakland-based developer also went to great lengths to safeguard desert tortoises — an iconic reptile protected under the federal Endangered Species Act, and the biggest environmental roadblock to building solar in the Mojave.
Desert tortoises are sensitive to global warming, residential sprawl and other human encroachment on their habitat. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has estimated tortoise populations fell by more than one-third between 2004 and 2014.
Scientists consider much of the Primergy site high-quality tortoise habitat. It also straddles a connectivity corridor that could help the reptiles seek safer haven as hotter weather and more extreme droughts make their current homes increasingly unlivable.
Before Primergy started building, the company scoured the site and removed 167 tortoises, with plans to let them return and live among the solar panels once the heavy lifting is over. Two-thirds of the project site will be repopulated with tortoises.
Workers removed more tortoises during construction. As of January, the company knew of just two tortoises killed — one that may have been hit by a car, and another that may have been entombed in its burrow by roadwork, then eaten by a kit fox.
Primergy Vice President Thomas Regenhard acknowledged the company can’t build solar here without doing any harm to the ecosystem — or spurring opposition from conservation activists. But as he watched union construction workers lift panels onto trusses, he said Primergy is “making the best of the worst-case situation” for solar opponents.
“What we’re trying to do is make it the least impactful on the environment and natural resources,” he said. “What we’re also doing is we’re sharing that knowledge, so that these projects can be built in a better way moving forward.”
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The company isn’t saving tortoises out of the goodness of its profit-seeking heart.
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management conditioned its approval of the solar farm, called Gemini, on a long list of environmental protection measures — and only after some bureau staffers seemingly contemplated rejecting the project entirely.
Documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act by the conservation group Defenders of Wildlife show the bureau’s Las Vegas field office drafted several versions of a “record of decision” that would have denied the permit application for Gemini. The drafts listed several objections, including harm to desert tortoises, loss of space for off-road vehicle drivers and disturbance of the Old Spanish National Historic Trail, which runs through the project site.
Separately, Primergy reached a legal settlement with conservationists — who challenged the project’s federal approval in court — in which the company agreed to additional steps to protect tortoises and a plant known as the three-corner milkvetch.
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The company estimates just 2.5% of the project site will be permanently disturbed — far less than the 33% allowed by Primergy’s federal permit. Regenhard is hopeful the lessons learned here will inform future solar development on public lands.
“This is something new. So we’re refining a lot of the processes,” he said. “We’re not perfect. We’re still learning.”
By the time construction wraps this fall, 1.8 million panels will cover nearly 4,000 football fields’ worth of land, just off the 15 Freeway. They’ll be able to produce 690 megawatts of power — as much as 115,000 typical home solar systems. And they’ll be paired with batteries, to store energy and help NV Energy customers keep running their air conditioners after sundown.
Unlike many solar fields, Gemini is close to the population it will serve — just a few dozen miles from the Strip. And the affected landscape is far from visually stunning, with none of the red-rock majesty found at nearby Valley of Fire State Park.
But desert tortoises don’t care if a place looks cool to humans. They care if it’s good tortoise habitat.
Moyle, Primergy’s environmental services manager, pointed to a small black structure at the bottom of a fence along the site’s edge — a shade shelter for tortoises. Workers installed them every 800 feet, so that if any relocated reptiles try to return to the solar farm too early, they don’t die pacing along the fence in the heat.
“They have a really, really good sense of direction,” Moyle said. “They know where their homes are. They want to come back.”
Primergy will study what happens when tortoises do come back. Will they benefit from the shade of the solar panels? Or will they struggle to survive on the industrialized landscape?
And looming over those uncertainties, a more existential query: With global warming beginning to devastate human and animal life around the world, should we really be slowing or stopping solar development to save a single type of reptile?
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Moyle was ready with an answer: Tortoises are a keystone species. If they’re doing well, it’s a good sign of a healthy ecosystem in which other desert creatures — such as burrowing owls, kit foxes and American badgers — are positioned to thrive, too.
And as the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated, human survival is inextricably linked with a healthy natural world.
“We take one thing out, we don’t know what sort of disastrous effect it’s going to have on everything else,” Moyle said.
We do, however, know the consequences of relying on fossil fuels: entire towns burning to the ground, Lake Mead three-quarters empty, elderly Americans baking to death in their overheated homes. With worse to come.
The shifting sands of time
A few miles south, another solar project was rising in the desert. This one looked different.
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A fleet of bulldozers, scrapers, excavators and graders was nearly done flattening the land — a beige moonscape devoid of cacti and creosote. The solar panel support trusses were all the same height, forming an eerily rigid silver sea.
When I asked Carl Glass — construction manager for DEPCOM Power, the contractor building this project for Buffett’s NV Energy — why workers couldn’t leave vegetation in place like at Gemini, he offered a simple answer: drainage. Allowing the land to retain its natural contours, he said, would make it difficult to move stormwater off the site during summer monsoons.
Safety was another consideration, said Dani Strain, NV Energy’s senior manager for the project. Blading and grading the land meant workers wouldn’t have to carry solar panels and equipment across ground studded with tripping hazards.
“It’s nicer for the environment not to do it,” Strain said. “But it creates other problems. You can’t have everything.”
This kind of solar project has typified development in the Mojave Desert.
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And it helps explain why the Center for Biological Diversity’s Patrick Donnelly has fought so hard to limit that development.
The morning after touring the solar construction sites, we joined Donnelly for a hike up Big Dune, a giant pile of sand covering five square miles and towering 500 feet above the desert floor, 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas. The sun was just beginning its ascent over the Mojave, bathing the sand in a smooth umber glow beneath pockets of wispy cloud.
On weekends, Donnelly said, the dune can be overrun by thousands of off-road vehicles. But on this day, it was quiet.
Energy companies have proposed more than a dozen solar farms on public lands surrounding Big Dune — some with overlapping footprints. Donnelly doesn’t oppose all of them. But he thinks federal agencies should limit solar to the least ecologically sensitive parts of Nevada, instead of letting companies pitch projects almost anywhere they choose.
“Developers are looking at this as low-hanging fruit,” he said. “The idea is, this is where California can build all of its solar.”
We trekked slowly up the dune, our bodies casting long shadows in the early morning light. When we took a breather and looked back down, a trail of footprints marked our path. Donnelly assured us a windy day would wipe them away.
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“This is why I live here, man,” he said. “It’s the most beautiful place on Earth, in my mind.”
Donnelly broke his back in a rock-climbing accident, so he used a walking stick to scale the dune. He lives not far from here, at the edge of Death Valley National Park, and works as the nonprofit Center for Biological Diversity’s Great Basin director.
As we resumed our journey, the wind blowing hard, I asked Donnelly to rank the top human threats to the Mojave. He was quick to answer: The climate crisis was No. 1, followed by housing sprawl, solar development and off-road vehicles.
“There’s no good solar project in the desert. But there’s less bad,” he said. “And we’re at a point now where we have to settle for less bad, because the alternatives are more bad: more coal, more gas, climate apocalypse.”
That hasn’t stopped Donnelly and his colleagues from fighting renewable energy projects they fear would wipe out entire species — even little-known plants and animals with tiny ranges, such as Tiehm’s buckwheat and the Dixie Valley toad.
“I’m not a religious guy,” Donnelly said. “But all God’s creatures great and small.”
After a steep stretch of sand, we stopped along a ridge with sweeping views. To our west were the Funeral Mountains, across the California state line in Death Valley National Park — and far beyond them Mt. Whitney, its snow-covered facade just barely visible. To our east was Highway 95, cutting across the Amargosa Valley en route from Las Vegas to Reno.
It’s along this highway that so many developers want to build.
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“We would be in a sea of solar right now,” Donnelly said.
Having heard plenty of rural residents say they don’t want to look at such a sea, I asked Donnelly if this was a bad spot for solar because it would ruin the glorious views. He told me he never makes that argument, “because honestly, views aren’t really the primary concern at this moment. The primary concern is stopping the biodiversity crisis and the climate crisis.”
“There are certain places where we shouldn’t put solar because it’s a wild and undisturbed landscape,” he said.
As far as he’s concerned, though, the Amargosa Valley isn’t one of those landscapes, what with Highway 95 running through it. The same goes for Dry Lake Valley, where NV Energy’s solar construction site is already surrounded by energy infrastructure.
What Donnelly would like to see is better planning.
He pointed to California, where state and federal officials spent eight years crafting a desert conservation plan that allows solar and wind farms across a few hundred thousand acres while setting aside millions more for protection. He thinks a similar process is crucial in Nevada, where four-fifths of the land area is owned by the federal government — more than any other state.
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If Donnelly had his way, regulators would put the kibosh on solar farms immediately adjacent to Big Dune. He’s worried they could alter the movement of sand across the desert floor, affecting several rare beetles that call the dune home.
But if the feds want to allow solar projects along the highway to the south, near the Area 51 Alien Center?
“Might not be the end the world,” Donnelly said.
He shot me a grin.
“You know, one thing I like to do …”
Without warning, he took off racing down the dune, carried by momentum and love for the desert. He laughed as he reached a natural stopping point, calling for us to join him. His voice sounded free and full of possibility.
Some solar panels on the horizon wouldn’t have changed that.
Shout it from the rooftops
Laura Cunningham and Kevin Emmerich were a match made in Mojave Desert heaven.
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Cunningham was a wildlife biologist, Emmerich a park ranger when they met nearly 30 years ago at Death Valley. She studied tortoises for government agencies and later a private contractor. He worked with bighorn sheep and gave interpretive talks. They got married, bought property along the Amargosa River and started their own conservation group, Basin and Range Watch.
And they’ve been fighting solar development ever since.
That’s how we ended up in the back of their SUV, pulling open a rickety cattle gate off Highway 95 and driving past wild burros on a dirt road through Nevada’s Bullfrog Hills, 100 miles northwest of Las Vegas.
They had told us Sarcobatus Flat was stunning, but I was still surprised by how stunning. I got my first look as we crested a ridge. The gently sloping valley spilled down toward Death Valley National Park, whose snowy mountain peaks towered over a landscape dotted with thousands of Joshua trees.
“Everything we’re looking at is proposed for solar development,” Cunningham said.
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Most environmentalists agree we need at least some large solar farms. Cunningham and Emmerich are different. They’re at the vanguard of a harder-core desert protection movement that sees all large-scale solar farms on public lands as bad news.
Why had so many companies converged on Sarcobatus Flat?
The main answer is transmission. NV Energy is seeking federal approval to build the 358-mile Greenlink West electric line, which would carry thousands of megawatts of renewable power between Reno and Las Vegas along the Highway 95 corridor.
The dirt road curved around a small hill, and suddenly we found ourselves on the valley floor, surrounded by Joshua trees. Some looked healthy; others had bark that had been chewed by rodents seeking water, a sign of drought stress. Scientists estimate the Joshua tree’s western subspecies could lose 90% of its range as the world gets hotter and droughts get more intense.
But asked whether climate change or solar posed a bigger threat to Sarcobatus Flat, Cunningham didn’t hesitate.
“Oh, solar development hands down,” she said.
Nearly 20 years ago, she said, she helped relocate desert tortoises to make way for a test track in California. One of them tried to return home, walking 20 miles before hitting a fence. It paced back and forth and eventually died of heat exhaustion.
Solar farms, she said, pose a similar threat to tortoises. And at Sarcobatus Flat, they would cover a high-elevation area that could otherwise serve as a climate refuge for Joshua trees, giving them a relatively cool place to reproduce as the planet heats up.
“It makes no sense to me that we’re going to bulldoze them down and throw them into trash piles. It’s just crazy,” she said.
In Cunningham and Emmerich’s view, every sun-baked parking lot in L.A. and Vegas and Phoenix should have a solar canopy, every warehouse and single-family home a solar roof. It’s a common argument among desert defenders: Why sacrifice sensitive ecosystems when there’s an easy alternative for fighting climate change? Especially when rooftop solar can reduce strain on an overtaxed electric grid and — when paired with batteries — help people keep their lights on during blackouts?
The answer isn’t especially satisfying to conservationists.
For all the virtues of rooftop solar, it’s an expensive way to generate clean power — and keeping energy costs low is crucial to ensure that lower-income families can afford electric cars, another key climate solution. A recent report from investment bank Lazard pegged the cost of rooftop solar at 11.7 cents per kilowatt-hour on the low end, compared with 2.4 cents for utility solar.
Even when factoring in pricey long-distance electric lines, utility-scale solar is typically cheaper, several experts told me.
“It’s three to six times more expensive to put solar on your roof than to put it in a large-scale project,” said Jesse Jenkins, an energy systems researcher at Princeton University. “There may be some added value to having solar in the Los Angeles Basin instead of the middle of the Mojave Desert. But is it 300% to 600% more value? Probably not. It’s probably not even close.”
There’s a practical challenge, too.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has estimated U.S. rooftops could generate 1,432 terawatt-hours of electricity per year — just 13% of the power America will need to replace most of its coal, oil and gas, according to research led by Jenkins.
Add in parking lots and other areas within cities, and urban solar systems might conceivably supply one-quarter or even one-third of U.S. power, several experts told The Times — in an unlikely scenario where they’re installed in every suitable spot.
Energy researcher Chris Clack’s consulting firm has found that dramatic growth in rooftop and other small-scale solar installations could reduce the costs of slashing climate pollution by half a trillion dollars. But even Clack said rooftops alone won’t cut it.
“Realistically, 80% is going to end up being utility grid no matter what,” he said.
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All those industrial renewable energy projects will have to go somewhere.
Sarcobatus Flat may not be the answer. Federal officials classified all three solar proposals there as “low priority,” citing their proximity to Death Valley and potential harm to tortoise habitat. One developer withdrew its application last year.
Before leaving the area, Cunningham pointed to a wooden marker, one of at least half a dozen stretching out in a line. I walked over to take a closer look and discovered it was a mining claim for lithium — a main ingredient in electric-car batteries.
If solar development didn’t upend this valley, lithium extraction might.
On the beaten track
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The four-wheeler jerked violently as Erica Muxlow pressed her foot to the gas, sending us flying down a rough dirt road with no end in sight but the distant mountains. Five-point safety straps were the only things stopping us from flying out of our seats, the vehicle leaping through the air as we reached speeds of 40 mph, then 50 mph, the wind whipping our faces.
It was like riding Disneyland’s Matterhorn Bobsleds — just without the Yeti.
Ahead of us, Muxlow’s neighbor Jimmy Lewis led the way on an electric blue motorcycle, kicking up a stream of sand. He wanted us to see thousands of acres of public lands outside his adopted hometown of Pahrump, in Nevada’s Nye County, that could soon be blocked by solar projects — cutting off access to off-highway vehicle enthusiasts such as himself.
“You could build an apartment complex or a shopping mall here, and it would be the same thing to me,” he said.
To progressive-minded Angelenos or San Franciscans, preserving large chunks of public land for gas-guzzling, environmentally destructive dirt bikes might sound like a terrible reason not to build solar farms that would lessen the climate crisis.
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But here’s the reality: Rural Westerners such as Lewis will play a key role in determining how much clean energy gets built.
Not long before our Nevada trip, Nye County placed a six-month pause on new renewable energy projects, citing local concerns about loss of off-road vehicle trails. Similar fears have stymied development across the U.S., with rural residents attacking solar and wind farms as industrial intrusions on their way of life — and local governments throwing up roadblocks.
For Lewis, the conflict is deeply personal.
He moved here from Southern California more than a decade ago, trading life by the beach for a five-acre plot where he runs an off-roading school and test-drives motorcycles for manufacturers. His warehouse was packed with dozens of dirt bikes.
“This is my life. Motorcycles, motorcycles, motorcycles,” he said, laughing.
Lewis has worked to stir up opposition to three local solar farm proposals. So far, his efforts have been in vain.
One project is already under construction. Peering through a fence, we saw row after row of trusses, waiting for their photovoltaic panels. It’s called Yellow Pine, and it’s being built by Florida-based NextEra Energy to supply power to California.
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Lewis learned about Yellow Pine when he was riding one of his favorite trails and was surprised to find it cut off. He compared the experience to riding the best roller-coaster at a theme park, only to have it grind to a halt three-quarters of the way through.
“I don’t want my playground taken away from me,” he said.
“Me neither!” a voice called out from behind us.
We turned and were greeted by Shannon Salter, an activist who had previously spent nine months camping near the Yellow Pine site to protest the habitat destruction. She and Lewis had never met, but they quickly realized they had common cause.
“It’s the opposite of green!” Salter said.
“On my roof, not my backyard,” Lewis agreed.
Never mind that conservationists have long decried the ecological damage from desert off-roading. Salter and Lewis both cared about these lands. Neither wanted to see the solar industry lay claim to them. They talked about staying in touch.
It’s easy to imagine similar alliances forming across the West, the clean energy transition bringing together environmentalists and rural residents in a battle to defend their lifestyles, their landscapes and animals that can’t fight for themselves.
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It’s also easy to imagine major cities that badly need lots of solar and wind power — Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix — brushing off those complaints as insignificant compared with the climate emergency, or as fueled by right-wing misinformation.
But many of concerns raised by critics are legitimate. And their voices are only getting louder.
As night fell over the Mojave, Lewis shared his idea that any city buying electricity from a desert solar farm should be required to install a certain amount of rooftop solar back home first — on government buildings, at least. It only seemed fair.
“Some people see the desert as just a wasteland,” Lewis said. “I think it’s beautiful.”
The view from Black Mountain
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So how do we build enough renewable energy to replace fossil fuels without destroying too many ecosystems, or stoking too much political opposition from rural towns, or moving too slowly to save the planet?
Few people could do more to ease those tensions than Buffett.
Our conversation kept returning to the legendary investor as we hiked Black Mountain, just outside Vegas, on our last morning in the Silver State. We were joined by Jaina Moan, director of external affairs for the Nature Conservancy’s Nevada chapter. She had promised a view of massive solar fields from the peak — but only after a 3.5-mile trek with 2,000 feet of elevation gain.
“It’ll be a little StairMaster at the end,” she warned us.
The homes and hotels and casinos of the Las Vegas Valley retreated behind us as we climbed, looking ever smaller and more insignificant against the vast open desert. It was an illusion that will prove increasingly difficult to maintain as Sin City and its suburbs continue their march into the Mojave. Nevada politicians from both parties are pushing for legislation that would let federal officials auction off additional public lands for residential and commercial development.
Vegas and other Western cities could limit the need for more suburbs — and sprawling solar farms — by growing smarter, Moan said. Urban areas could embrace density, to help people drive fewer miles and reduce the demand for new power supplies to fuel electric vehicles. They could invest in electric buses and trains — and use less water, which would save a lot of energy.
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“As our spaces become more crowded, we’re going to have to come up with more creative ideas,” Moan said.
That’s where Buffett could make things easier.
The billionaire’s Berkshire Hathaway company owns electric utilities that serve millions of people, from California to Nevada to Illinois. Those utilities, Moan said, could buck the industry trend of urging policymakers to reduce financial incentives for rooftop solar and instead encourage the technology — along with other small-scale clean energy solutions, such as local microgrids.
That would limit the need for big solar farms — at least somewhat.
Berkshire and other energy giants could also build solar on lands already altered by humans, such as abandoned mines, toxic Superfund sites, reservoirs, landfills, agricultural areas, highway corridors and canals that carry water to farms and cities.
The costs are typically higher than building on undisturbed public lands. And in many cases there are technical challenges yet to be resolved. But those kinds of “creative solutions” could at least lessen the loss of biodiversity, Moan said.
“There’s money to be made there, and there’s good to be done,” she said.
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It’s hard to know what Buffett thinks. A Berkshire spokesperson declined my request to interview him.
Tony Sanchez, NV Energy’s executive vice president for business development and external relations, was more forthcoming.
“The problem for us with rooftop solar,” he said, is that it’s “not controlled at all by us.” As a result, NV Energy can’t decide when and how rooftop solar power is used — and can’t rely on that power to help balance supply and demand on the grid.
Over time, Sanchez predicted, a lot more rooftop solar will get built. But he couldn’t say how much.
Rooftop solar faces a similarly uncertain future in California, where state officials voted last year to slash incentive payments, calling them an unfair subsidy. Industry leaders have warned of a dramatic decline in installations.
As we neared the top of Black Mountain, the solar farms on the other side came into view. They stretched across the Eldorado Valley far below — black rectangles that could help save life on Earth while also destroying bits and pieces of it.
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Moan believes the key to balancing clean energy and conservation is “go slow to go fast.” Government agencies, she said, should work with conservation activists, small-town residents and Native American tribes to study and map out the best places for clean energy, then reward companies that agree to build in those areas with faster approvals. Solar and wind development would slow down in the short term but speed up in the long run, with quicker environmental reviews and less risk of lawsuits.
It’s a tantalizing concept — but I confessed to Moan that I worried it would backfire.
What if the sparring factions couldn’t agree on the best spots to build solar and wind farms, and instead wasted years arguing? Or what if they did manage to hammer out some compromises, only for a handful of unhappy people or groups to take them to court, gumming up the works? Couldn’t “go slow to go fast” end up becoming “go slow to go slow”?
In other words, should we really bet our collective future on human beings working together, rather than fighting?
Moan was sympathetic to my fears. She also didn’t see another way forward.
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“We really need to think holistically about saving everything,” she said.
The sad truth is, not everything can be saved. Not if we want to keep the world livable for people and animals alike.
Some beloved landscapes will be left unrecognizable. Some families will be stuck paying high energy bills to monopoly utilities, even as some utility investors make less money. Some tortoises will probably die, pacing along fences in the heat.
The alternative is worse.
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With its location along the Atlantic Ocean, New Jersey is known for its coastal towns, boardwalks, and summers of fun. You’ll find sparkling seas, white sands, boating, and fishing – and these scenic New Jersey beach towns are some of the best you’ll find. There are lots of beach spots to check out in New Jersey, whether you’re moving to the state or hoping to move to the coast.
But if you’re not sure what seaside towns in New Jersey to check out, we’ve got you covered. From Atlantic City to Ocean Grove, Redfin has collected a list of the 13 best beach towns in New Jersey. Let’s dive into some of New Jersey’s top coastal cities, listed in alphabetical order, so you can find the right place for you.
#1: Asbury Park
Median home price: $529,500 Asbury Park, NJ homes for sale Asbury Park, NJ apartments for rent
Starting off our list is Asbury Park. About 15,200 people live in this coastal New Jersey town where you’ll find beaches like Asbury Park Beach. Living in Asbury Park, you can check out the beachfront activities like playing at the Silverball Retro Arcade and stopping for a meal at one of the many restaurants in town.
#2: Atlantic City
Median home price: $175,000 Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,050 Atlantic City, NJ homes for sale Atlantic City, NJ apartments for rent
Another one of New Jersey’s iconic coastal towns to consider moving to is Atlantic City, home to 38,500 people. There are plenty of beaches to visit, particularly Atlantic City Beach. Some popular things to check out in Atlantic City include exploring the Atlantic City Boardwalk, checking out Steel Pier, and stopping by the Absecon Lighthouse, among many other favorites for locals and tourists alike.
#3: Avalon
Median home price: $1,587,500 Avalon, NJ homes for sale Avalon, NJ apartments for rent
With just about 1,200 residents is the town of Avalon. There are lots of beaches to explore on a sunny New Jersey day, like the popular Seven Mile Beach. If you move to Avalon, make sure to birdwatch at Avalon Seawatch, explore the shops and restaurants along Dune Drive, and visit the Avalon Dunes and Beach Trail.
#4: Belmar
Median home price: $1,761,000 Belmar, NJ homes for sale Belmar, NJ apartments for rent
With beautiful beaches like Belmar Beach and L Street Beach, there are countless places to spend a beach day in Belmar. About 5,900 people live in Belmar, where you can also grab a bite at a waterfront restaurant, visit Maclearie Park, and explore the charming downtown.
#5: Brigantine
Median home price: $505,000 Brigantine, NJ homes for sale Brigantine, NJ apartments for rent
The quaint coastal town of Brigantine has about 7,700 residents, making it a great place to consider moving to in New Jersey. In Brigantine, you can spend the day exploring North Brigantine Natural Area or have a beach day at Brigantine Beach.
#6: Cape May
Median home price: $557,500 Cape May, NJ homes for sale Cape May, NJ apartments for rent
Home to roughly 2,800 people, Cape May is a great beach town to consider buying a home in. If you’re looking for a beach to explore, you can visit Cape May Beach. There are plenty of other things to do in Cape May, so make sure to also tour the Emlen Physick Estate, check out the Cape May Lighthouse, and take the ferry to Lewes, DE.
#7: Long Beach Island
Median home price: $1,500,000 Long Beach Island, NJ homes for sale Long Beach Island, NJ apartments for rent
With a population of close to 8,600, Long Beach Island is an awesome coastal town to live in. There are plenty of beaches to explore like 68th Street Beach, Bay Beach, and the various public beaches. Make sure to spend the day exploring the downtown area and Fantasy Island Amusement Park, head to the north part of the island to see Barnegat Lighthouse State Park, and check out all the cities on the island once living here.
#8: Ocean City
Median home price: $1,040,000 Ocean City, NJ homes for sale Ocean City, NJ apartments for rent
Ocean City has picturesque beaches such as Ocean City Beach, Peck Beach, Surf Road Beach, and Waverly Beach, perfect for a picnic. Once moving to Ocean City, you’ll want to explore the Ocean City Boardwalk where you’ll find restaurants, rides, and games, tour the Ocean City Historical Museum, and check out Gillian’s Wonderland Pier.
#9: Ocean Grove
Median home price: $680,000 Ocean Grove, NJ homes for sale Ocean Grove, NJ apartments for rent
Roughly 31,200 people live in this coastal city where you’ll find beaches like Ocean Grove Beach and South End Beach. Some other fun activities to do in Ocean Grove include walking along Parousia Promenade, checking out downtown Ocean Grove, and seeing a show at The Great Auditorium.
#10: Point Pleasant Beach
Median home price: $630,000 Point Pleasant Beach, NJ homes for sale Point Pleasant Beach, NJ apartments for rent
This seaside city has a population of 19,200 and there are lots of beaches to enjoy a picnic at like Point Pleasant Beach. You’ll also have plenty of activities to explore during your free time in Point Pleasant Beach, like exploring Gull Island, grabbing a meal along the waterfront, or checking out the shops downtown.
#11: Sea Isle City
Median home price: $1,585,000 Sea Isle City, NJ homes for sale Sea Isle City, NJ apartments for rent
In Sea Isle City there are lots of beaches you’ll want to spend time at if you decide to move to this quaint town, like Ludlam Beach and Sea Isle Beach. This town is home to 2,100 inhabitants and you’ll find many other activities to do like exploring the charming downtown streets.
#12: Stone Harbor
Median home price: $2,937,500 Stone Harbor, NJ homes for sale Stone Harbor, NJ apartments for rent
Stone Harbor has lots of beaches to explore, perfect for a sunrise or sunset view. Some famous places are Hobie Cat Beach and Stone Harbor Beach. If you’re looking for a different activity, be sure to visit the Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary or grab some fresh seafood for lunch or dinner.
#13: Wildwood
Median home price: $449,000 Wildwood, NJ homes for sale Wildwood, NJ apartments for rent
There’s plenty of beachfront spots to explore, like Wildwood Beach, if you decide that Wildwood is the right area for you. In this town of 5,100 residents, you can also explore the Wildwood Boardwalk where you’ll find amusement rides, shops, and restaurants, have a meal at one of the many waterfront restaurants, or fish at Back Bay West.
Note, this list is not comprehensive of all the beach towns in New Jersey. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during June 2023. Average rental data from Rent.com June 2023. Population data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.