South Beach is such a conglomeration of colorful Art Deco buildings, beautiful people, fine restaurants and trend-setting nightclubs that every time you go there, no matter what time of the year, you are bound to be dazzled by the richness it offers! Last time I went there was in March, which was a period of frenzied party-going triggered by the Ultra Music Festival. In December, I found South Beach much more relaxed and slow-paced; it was just perfect for a weekend getaway from the cold of New York!

December marks the end of hurricane season in South Florida, and with it the beginning of the tourist season. This time around, the effects of Hurricane Wilma were conspicuous, through the scars it left on buildings and Palm trees, which I thought actually added to the character of the area.

The best part of South Beach is that the water is always warm. December water felt just perfect--not too warm and not too cold--and the beach was bustling, yet it wasn’t overcrowded. Also, we had to make only a few rounds before getting a parking spot on Ocean Drive right next to the beach. And nothing can beat sipping on fresh mojitos on Espanola Way after a lazy day at the beach.

South Beach was an amazing experience that I can’t wait to enjoy next summer. It was fulfilled with many activities, such as shopping on the famous Ocean Drive. There were many designer stores to choose from, like Giorgio Armani, Banana Republic, Von Dutch, Fendi, Versace, and many more. There were many places for cold drinks after a hot day on the beach, like Wet Willies and Oceans Ten. And for the nightlife, there are a slew of clubs to choose from, like Mynt, a cool scene where a lot of models hang out. There was also Mansion, a dance club; Crobar; Prive; and many more. It is guaranteed that you will find something to do in South Beach, and I highly recommend it to everyone.

The beach is so beautiful, and the water is so blue. The beach is very large, so there is plenty of room to accommodate the crowds. Lifeguard stations are every 50 yards. There are security guards on hand who patrol the beach. The beach is top optional, so families need to be prepared for that.

Located only about 15 minutes from Miami is the area known as South Beach. South Beach offers a wonderful beach and is known for the Art Deco buildings. Here you can find a wide variety of shops and restaurants, and it is one of the top places for clubbing.

Like many areas of the country in the ‘70s, South Beach was suffering from neglect. In 1979, Barbara Baer Capitman, a champion for the Miami Design Preservation League, began work on this now aging beauty. Buildings were renovated and painted in the colors of the seas. Periwinkle blue, yellows, and pinks abound. About 800 buildings are now on the register of historic places, assuring that they have a place for many generations to come. Even if you are beach bound, take the time to walk around and marvel at these amazing beauties.

The beach its self spills out into the Atlantic Ocean. You can just relax here and enjoy the sun. There are various bars located up and down the beach. You can try your hand at parasailing. You can build a sand castle. We saw some very impressive ones here. Grab some in-line skates and hit the walkway in front. Or whatever your little heart desires. You can rent beach chairs that run about $3 each. Just make sure one person is at the chairs at all times, or you might come back to find your chairs gone and having to pay another $3 for a chair.

South Beach is topless. It is not, however, a nude beach, so don’t even think about it. You can remove your top only on the beach. Parents might want to keep this in mind when coming here. If you have come in search of a Pamela Anderson-type babe, well, good luck to you. There were four of us on this trip, and our friend Guy was the only single one. This place was his idea. The majority of topless women, though, either have no boobs or they do not need to be in a bikini! There are also lots of men in Speedos. None, however, look like or have the body of Eric Delco.

If you decide to visit, you do need to spend a whole day here. Enjoy the rays, hunt for some beautiful clothing in one of the many trendy boutiques, try something new food wise, and then dance away your cares at one of the many clubs here. There is something here for everyone. For more information, try www.gmcvb.com.

Miami's beautiful beaches are the best reason to visit South Florida. Miami Beach itself is actually an island -- a separate political and geographical entity from Miami on the mainland. Its most popular area, known as South Beach, begins at the southern end of the island and extends up to about Lincoln Road (though imaginative realtors and hoteliers try to push the boundary north). All along this stretch, the beach is wide, guarded, and well groomed. The sand is typically very hot, so don't try to cross it barefoot; it's a long way to the water. In the soft sand towards the surf, you'll see lounge chairs set up around the lifeguard stands. You're welcome to grab a chair, but expect the beach patrol to collect $5 from you. Then the chair is yours for the day.

The ocean stays warm almost year-round, although an offshore storm could bring in some cooler water. The water remains shallow fairly far out, giving it a gorgeous aqua hue on a sunny day. However, if you venture too far, a lifeguard will certainly whistle you back in towards the shore. The colorful lifeguard stands also post warnings about potential hazards, like man-o-wars, rough water from tropical storms, and shark sightings. Also, South Beach is frequented by Europeans who are less inhibited about being topless than their American counterparts, so beware if you come with the family.

Farther from the ocean, the sand is hard packed, which makes a nice surface for jogging or even bike riding. Showers are available at every block, but restrooms are spaced a bit farther apart. Lummus Park provides a narrow green barrier between the beach and Ocean Drive. A short coral and concrete wall separates the grass and palms from the sand, and a serpentine path winds through the length of the park. Bikers, bladers, joggers, and pedestrians all peacefully coexist on the path during the busy weekends. Along the way are sand volleyball courts and a primitive outdoor gym (no weights, just some bars for doing pull-ups and such).

Ocean Drive parallels the beach up to about Lincoln Road. Here you'll find plenty of bars and restaurants to refresh yourself after a few hours in the hot Florida sun. I find the News Cafe (at 8th Street) fairly reliable for breakfast. The Palace (at 12th Street) is also nice for breakfast or lunch and features weekend happy-hour drag shows. Be careful if walking by: the drag queens there have been known to pull innocent passers-by into their act.