Deerfield Beach
www.deerfield-beach.com
It's not the surf and sand that make Deerfield Beach so appealing; that combination can be found anywhere in South Florida. No, this beach stands out because of its immediate surroundings, which have the feel of an old seaside village thanks to the vintage-looking pier, surfers crowding the waves and signs advertising gelato. Chains such as Ben and Jerry's and Howard Johnson's have crept into the area, but funky restaurants such as The Whale's Rib, Rattlesnake Jake's Tex-Mex Café and Kelly's Ocean Grille prevail.