South Beach Area Info

South Beach is one of the most glamorous and exotic cities in the United States. Its huge multicultural population combines the romance and passion of Monte Carlo, Havana, Rio De Janeiro and Hemingway's Paris from the 1920s all in one exciting hot-spot. This area, with its sandy beaches and art deco buildings is mainly known for its nightlife and for being the hang out of many famous celebrities.

South Beach is known for many its many popular bars including Joia, a favorite watering hole of Madonna's, and Larios on the Beach that is owned by singer Gloria Estefan Other famous night spots include the legendary Clevelander Hotel, the News Cafe, Pearl. Liquid is an impossibly exclusive club and favorite celebrity haunt that is owned by celebrity-seeker Ingrid Casares. Another popular celebrity haunt in South Beach is the Casa Salsa that is owned by Latin heartthrob Ricky Martin.

Beach lovers won't be able to resist the area's sandy shows, which stretch for miles up the coast and runs parallel to South Beach's trendy Ocean Drive. Ocean Drive is lined with trendy and expensive cafes, shops and bars.

The Art Deco District is one of South Beach's main attractions and features historical buildings designed by such famous architects as Henry Hohauser, Albert Anis, and L. Murray Dixon and Morris Lapidus.

Tourists, however, are drawn to South Beach for the culture. The city is a melting pot of nationalities. The Latin-American population has profoundly affected the area, and the diversity of the community is apparent in the food and music.

Its rare architecture and beautiful sunny weather also make South Beach a popular place for film and production. For example in 1998, over 212 million was generated by the production of film, television, commercial and fashion photography.

South Beach is also a site where many of the well heeled do big business. Meetings often take place poolside in one of the city's many expensive hotels. The city's chief source of income, however, comes from tourism. The direct economic impact of over 9.2 million visitors to Miami in 2000 was visitor expenditure of over 19 billion.

Whether you are visiting this eclectic for star-watching, sun-bathing or to dance the night away, you are sure to have the time of your life in this most popular district of greater Miami.