Best Beaches in Boca Raton

Boca Raton is home to the very best beaches in the region. Boca Raton beaches have miles of fluffy white sand, an inviting blue ocean, and something for everyone. We have ample parking and well maintained facilities including gazebos, barbecues, restrooms, showers, fitness and play areas. Here are five of my favorite beaches to visit year round. For residents of the City of Boca Raton, an annual parking pass is de rigueur.

Spanish River Park

3001 North State Road A1A, Boca Raton, FL 33432

Go up the 40-foot observation tower to see why nature spent a little more time making this park leafy and wild. Try the well-shaded nature trails or go into the tunnels under Boca Raton's Ocean Boulevard/A1A, leading you to a golden beach with nothing but sand dunes and surfers to distract you. Snag a table under the lush canopy of banyan trees.

Red Reef Park

1400 N Ocean Blvd., Boca Raton, FL 33432

For the best snorkeling around, Red Reef Park is the first choice for people coming from all over South Florida. This is arguably Boca's best beach. The reef is so close to the shoreline that it's great for the kids to play near it all day long. For my walkers, there are beautiful trails on the intercoastal which is directly across the street. It's a nice spot to have a picnic and watch the boats go by.

South Inlet Park

1100 S. Ocean Boulevard, Boca Raton, Florida 33432

This little park is nestled right on the Boca Inlet, next door to The Boca Raton Resort & Club. The beach is very clean and the water is beautiful. I’ve never seen it crowded as it’s quite large. Perfect for watching the boats or taking a walk to the reef area. At sunrise, the south barrier of the inlet is a popular place to watch the action. This is also a prime spot for photographers.

South Beach Park

400 N State Road A1A, Boca Raton, FL 33432

South Beach Park is actually a 24.5-acre beach area featuring 3 swimming areas plus surf, fishing & bird-watching opportunities. The water is always crystal clear and the facilites are all nearby. You don't even need to pack chairs, they have them on the beach. If you’re looking for something a bit more active, this extensive beach is known for its white sands and endless activities. Its location means that the surf conditions are perfect to carve up the waves, whether you use a surfboard or a boogie board. On Saturdays, there is free Zumba class in the pavilion which draws both participants and spectators.

Boca Beach Club

900 S Ocean Blvd, Boca Raton, FL 33432-6306

The Boca Beach Club - a beautifully outfitted Waldorf Astoria property - offers an elevated experience for the beachgoer. This is the only private beach club in Boca Raton and offers full service and activitites for people of all ages. The newly opened Mirasol restaurant has a Mediterranean menu and is currently one of the hottest spots in town. Enjoy the stunning views of the rolling waves of the Atlantic Ocean from a private cabana, poolside at one of three oceanfront pools, or from a cozy lounger directly on the beach.

Best Specialty Markets in Boca Raton

A client new to Boca Raton recently asked where he should go for fresh fish. We are surrounded by water and this should be easy... He couldn't believe how hard it was to find quality food items around town. Of course, he asked Ms. Boca. Here I offer you are a few cures for the supermarket blues -- a handful of specialty markets that sell quality meat, fish, produce, and packaged goods.

Boca Oriental Market

2431 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton

This is where local chefs go to find even the most obscure Asian products. A small, friendly, spotlessly-clean space jammed with virtually everything the professional or amateur cook needs, from produce and packaged goods to woks and utensils. The market's focus is on Chinese food products, but other Asian cuisines are represented there too. Pick up some eel, flying fish roe, Japanese fish cakes, or milkfish and enjoy the fact that you're getting a deal on the real deal.

Old Dixie Seafood

7000 N. Dixie Highway, Boca Raton

Do yourself a favor and swing by this cute little fish market ASAP! The stone crab claws and fish dip are outstanding. Nothing is frozen, much of the seafood is locally caught, all of it is of impeccable quality. You can tell it's fresh because the only smell is of the sea. Live lobsters and soft shell crabs, fresh mahi-mahi, several species of clams and terrific Cape Canaveral shrimp are just some of the impressive selection.

Pop’s Fish Market

Pop's Fish Market has been serving South Florida since 1957! They have their own personal fisherman and divers that only fish and dive for them specifically, while their Northern Fish are delivered to them at least three times a week! It's a fish market but they also have a lunch menu. Be sure to order the fish sandwich. You select the fish you want, how you want it cooked, with a side and beverage. I went with the yellowtail snapper-fried with fried okra -YUM!

Joseph's Classic Market

5250 Town Center Circle, Boca Raton

Who doesn’t love an Italian specialty food market? Joseph’s new location at Town Center is larger than the old one, but its personal touch still shows, from the 60-some entrees/side dishes presented daily (everything from pastas to chicken parm and stuffed artichokes) to pizza from scratch, produce, seafood, wines and cheeses, the works.

The Gourmet Market

2800 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton, FL

This small market, which also serves sandwiches and quiche, is a Francophile’s dream, with imported cheeses like Brie de Meaux Alba Truffle, foie gras and, yes, a large selection of truffles (French and Italian) fresh during the season. They are also rumored to have the best French baguettes—baked fresh daily—in addition to hard-to-find French brands of mustards and other goodies. Use promo code BOCAFREE for free same-day delivery on Boca Raton! ($55 minimum purchase)

The Meating Place

277 East Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton, Florida, 33432

The Meeting Place has been around since 1967. I can't say enough good things about this place. Meat selection and quality is far above anywhere locally. Staff is beyond friendly and they take really good care to adhere to social distancing and building capacity limits. The ribeye is to die for and definitely try their roasted chicken!

Doris Italian Market & Bakery

9101 Lakeridge Boulevard, Boca Raton, Florida 33496

Doris Italian Market is a very authentic Italian grocery store with a TON of imported goods (specifically Italian, but international as well). The butcher section always has cases of fresh meats. The butcher will do custom cuts and they will always ask you if you want your meat freezer wrapped, which is convenient. My favorite area of the store is the bakery — I never leave without getting some delicious Italian bakery items. There's also a nice produce section that I love where the fruits and vegetables are displayed like art work.

Damascus Food Market

1880 NW 2nd Ave Boca Raton, FL 33432

This is a wonderful little jewel tucked away in plain sight. As an aficionado of Arabic food, I really like this small Turkish/Syrian specialty grocery store. They have all of the essentials I always want but can never find. For example, Turkish coffee, zaatar, Turkish delight, sahalab, honey with nuts, good pita, good halva and exotic sweets like the ajweh from Al Sultan that is ridiculously addictive.

The Boys Farmers Market

14378 S Military Trail, Delray Beach, FL 33484

Best sprouts of every kind imaginable. Only better if you are growing them at home (and maybe not even then). This place has everything, seriously every inch is crammed with something I want to try. They have a great selection of fresh produce, an Italian bakery, deli, cheese counter, coffee bean area, gardening department, butcher shop, and ready-made foods including Italian specialties and fresh baked pies.

Best Preschools in Boca Raton

Recently, a client who was moving to the area asked me about the best preschools so I took an informal poll of my closest friends and clients. The schools on this list are the best of the best in Boca Raton - the most heavily and heartfeltfully (is that a word?) places to send your kids rated by parents who have children there now or in the recent past.

Jewish

B'nai Israel

2200 Yamato Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33431

B’nai Israel comes highly recommended from many families of every denomination. The teachers are warm and nurturing greeting the children with smiles each morning. Their programming is organized and they offer evening events for the whole family, like Tot Shabbat. Families with children who have special needs will feel well taken care of here.

B'nai Torah

6261 SW 18th Street, Boca Raton, FL 33433

B’Nai Torah is also a favorite for families in Boca Raton. Many families are lifetime members at here, starting in preschool themselves and then sending their own children as well. B’nai Torah is the largest Conservative synagogue in South Palm Beach County. For the little ones, they offer Family Time, welcoming the youngest children into the B’nai Torah community. Each 1.5 hour class is available for babies through two years of age with mommy, daddy, grandparents, or other significant adult.

Christian

Advent School

300 E. Yamato Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33431

Advent School is a fully-accredited Christian school where all of the teachers have degrees. The parents we spoke to rave about the staff, the relationships their children build, and the patience of the teachers. Advent goes above and beyond to accommodate individual needs. The whole atmosphere of the school you feel the moment you walk through the door into the front office. They ensure there is no bullying or leaving kids out. They integrate special needs students into their classes and it is so special to witness how the classmates take care and include them in all their activities.

Non-Denominational

Get Ready Set Grow

16687 Jog Rd., Delray Beach, FL 33446

Starting in the two-year old class, students will have a Spanish class, yoga, time on the playground, a formal art class, and music in addition to so many more fun activities. The school has a great Parent Association that is always planning fun events for the children and parents. Administration is always helpful and very quick to respond to calls and emails. Summer camp here is also wonderful. Each week the children have water play, yummy treats, and fun theme weeks. Camp is an excellent transition into the school environment.

The Learning Experience

331 E Yamato Rd, Boca Raton, FL, 33431

Parents at The Learning Experience say dropping off their children is like bringing them to a family member’s house each day. The facility is always clean, the teachers are warm and engaging and the classrooms are set up to make learning comfortable and fun. Bonus - They have an app where the teachers send updates to you along with photos during the day to keep you in the loop on how your child’s day is going.

French American International School of Boca Raton

2500 NW 5th Ave Boca Raton, FL 33431

If you are looking for a good private school that is affordable, diverse, and where your child can learn another language... and you can find it at this school. FAISBR has a great French and English program. This school is a small school were your child will get the needed attention and care from the staff, and the family will find a new community. All the teachers are sweet and very dedicated.