Hollywood, Florida sits in Broward County between Miami-Dade and Palm Beach, and its beach is one of the Atlantic Coast's most rewarding discoveries. Unlike Miami Beach with its designer scene or Fort Lauderdale with its spring break associations, Hollywood Beach has cultivated something rarer: genuine character.
The city was founded in 1925 by California developer Joseph W. Young, who envisioned a "city of tomorrow" patterned after Hollywood, California. He built wide boulevards, a beachside promenade, and a planned community that was ahead of its time. Nearly a century later, much of Young's vision endures — the Broadwalk he built remains the social heart of the community.
The Broadwalk: Hollywood Beach's Living Room
The Hollywood Broadwalk is what sets this beach apart from every other beach community in Florida. Stretching 2.5 miles from the southern end of the beach to North Beach, the Broadwalk is a paved multi-use path wide enough to feel like a boulevard. On any given day you'll find:
- Cyclists, rollerbladers, and joggers moving at their own pace
- Families with strollers and beach wagons
- Travelers from dozens of countries comparing notes on where they've been
- Local artists setting up displays during art walk events
- Musicians performing live sets in the outdoor performance areas
The Broadwalk is lined with restaurants, bars, and casual eateries serving everything from fresh fish tacos to craft cocktails. Beach rental shops offer chairs, umbrellas, surfboards, kayaks, and paddleboards. The energy shifts from laid-back morning calm to afternoon buzz to evening social scene, making it genuinely entertaining at any hour.
Who Comes to Hollywood Beach
Hollywood Beach draws a beautifully diverse crowd. The international hostel travel community has long made Hollywood a must-stop on the Florida circuit — Europeans doing a month in the US, Australians on working holiday visas, South Americans making their first North American trip. The budget accommodation scene near the Broadwalk makes it accessible to travelers on any budget.
Alongside the backpackers, you'll find:
- Bachelorette and bachelor parties drawn by the beach, nightlife, and group-friendly accommodations
- Families who prefer Hollywood's calmer vibe over Miami's overwhelming intensity
- Snowbirds from the Northeast and Midwest who return every winter
- Business travelers at nearby Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport who tack on a beach day
Hollywood Beach by the Numbers
Hollywood is consistently ranked among Florida's most visitor-friendly beach communities. The city of Hollywood has approximately 150,000 residents but hosts millions of visitors annually. Water temperature stays above 70°F year-round, peaking around 85°F in summer. Average annual sunshine exceeds 245 days.
According to Broward County, the Hollywood Beach area sees consistently strong visitor numbers across all seasons — a testament to the Broadwalk's appeal beyond just peak beach weather.
The Hostel Travel Philosophy
Budget accommodations near the Broadwalk have historically offered a remarkable range of options — from private hotel-quality rooms to shared dorm-style accommodations with community kitchens, lockers, and lounges. The hostel concept, when done well, creates something hotels rarely achieve: genuine community among travelers.
Getting to Know the Neighborhoods
The beach area of Hollywood divides loosely into the central Broadwalk zone (most active, most visited), the quieter south end near Hallandale, and the North Beach area which tends to be more residential and calmer. Most budget travelers gravitate toward the central Broadwalk zone for obvious reasons — you're steps from everything.
Just inland from the beach, Downtown Hollywood on Hollywood Boulevard offers a charming pedestrian arts district with galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and performance venues. It's an easy bike ride from the beach and worth an afternoon exploring.