Palm Beach and Martin counties – the counties United Country Real Estate | Active Life Properties serves – represent two very popular areas within Southeast Florida. Technically, Martin is in the southernmost part of Central East Florida, but it directly borders its Palm Beach neighbor to the south. So, for our purposes we’re still talking Florida’s southeast coast.
Martin County is part of “The Treasure Coast” region, known for its lakes and rivers and its namesake — a Spanish Treasure Fleet lost in a 1715 hurricane. On the other hand, Palm Beach County is part of “The Gold Coast,” which is a nod to the luxury lifestyles often associated with area residents.
Across both counties, you’ll find beautiful beaches, diverse cultural offerings, profitable businesses and great educational opportunities. And the weather lends itself to year-round outdoor recreation on the water and the land alike. Whether your lifestyle is more about luxury homes and exclusive club communities, casual beach vacations, inland lake life, equestrian sports or anything else in our region … you’re bound to find your ideal property here in Southeast Florida.
Let’s take a closer look at the appeal of this Florida region, in and around Palm Beach and Martin counties, for area residents as well as visitors.
There’s certainly no shortage of opportunities for outdoor recreation in Southeast Florida on the beach, in the ocean, and even in areas more inland. There are activities at local spots like Coral Cove Park in Jupiter, kayaking Martin County's paddling trails, riding horse trails at Okeeheelee Park in West Palm Beach, scuba diving under Blue Heron Bridge at Phil Foster Park … and that’s just a sample.
If fishing is your preference, head to Stuart (the Sailfish Capital of the World, AKA “Kingfish Kountry”). You might start with Phipps Park Campground in Stuart. Or try your luck from the Jensen Beach Causeway. Fishing the pier at Indian RiverSide Park is always a popular activity, and you can check out local fishing reports throughout Palm Beach County for the latest hot spots.
For some diverse recreational offerings, Hutchinson Island off the coast of Martin County is excellent and has a dozen or so beaches, plus parks, fishing spots and a whole lot more. Stuart’s Halpatiokee Regional Park offers nearly 600 acres along the St. Lucie River with hiking and biking trails, campsites and sports facilities. Allapattah Flats Wildlife Management Area west of Stuart is ideal for seasonal hunting, while Red Reef Park in Boca Raton has great snorkeling.
Often times, the best array of recreational opportunities is found at state parks and preserves. Martin County has popular parks including Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Atlantic Ridge Preserve State Park and St. Lucie Inlet Preserve Park. At John D. MacArthur Beach State Park in North Palm Beach, you can swim, surf, rent stand-up paddle boards and explore wildlife. Top nature preserves include Delaplane Preserve and Kiplinger Nature Preserve in Stuart, as well as Kitching Creek Preserve in Hobe Sound.
And we would be remiss not to mention golf, given its popularity in our region. Golfers can find good courses in Stuart and Hobe Sound, but your best bet may be to start with courses in the Palm Beach area, which offers both private golf courses and public golf courses.
It truly does feel like Southeast Florida offers something for everyone. Though outdoor recreation is a big part of the culture here, it’s only one part among the many reasons people love the region. From local shops and restaurants, to fun family outings, historical sites, arts and entertainment venues and beyond … it’s all happening here on the Gold Coast and Treasure Coast.
Here are ten of our favorite cities, towns and communities across Palm Beach and Martin counties, with a summary of what to expect in each one:
Palm Beach: Here, it’s all about the lifestyle. That means embracing luxury and elegance amid a tropical setting. Exclusive club communities cater to those who love sophistication and leisure. Catch an amazing performance at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach, explore contemporary art at the Norton Museum of Art, or head to Wellington International for outstanding equestrian events and horse culture near West Palm Beach. For high-end shopping and dining, check out Worth Avenue.
Palm Beach Gardens: Palm Beach Gardens offers the same kind of luxury you’ll find in Palm Beach itself. Upscale life on the waterfront is popular here. This is the location of the PGA National Resort & Spa, the proud host of the PGA Tour's Cognizant Classic. To-notch healthcare stand outs as well, with the prestigious Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center here. Described as a “retail, restaurant, and outdoor lifestyle center,” Downtown Palm Beach Gardens is not to be missed.
Jupiter: With its picturesque coastlines along the Atlantic, the winding Intracoastal Waterway, the popular Loxahatchee River, and other natural features, Jupiter is a Florida gem. It’s easy to imagine a serene life here, maybe in an oceanfront condo or more inland on an equestrian estate. Catch MLB spring training or an in-season minor league baseball game at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Grab a meal and see live music at Guanabanas, or head to Harbourside Place for various dining, shopping and entertainment venues. If you’re into history, the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum is always an interesting spot to visit.
Juno Beach: Just to the southeast of Jupiter, Juno Beach is a charming coastal town known for a relaxed lifestyle. It’s an ideal spot for water recreation, but there’s a lot more to discover here. The town has a reverence for its history, and it offers engaging learning experiences with marine life at Loggerhead Marinelife Center. Seafood lovers will want to visit Kee Grill, while award-winning upscale dining awaits at Hurricane Café.
Wellington: Known for its many parks, quality schools and equestrian activities, the municipality of Wellington is affluent and thriving. The equestrian scene here is renowned around the world, particularly in the winter, and riders have access to nearly 60 miles of horse trails. Those same trails bring hikers, bikers and others into the great outdoors as well. Wellington also strives to be known by the moniker “A Great Hometown,” and a lot of the best shopping and dining happens at The Mall at Wellington Green. The Wellington Amphitheater also stands out for its various events.
Tequesta: This community in northern Palm Beach County is part small-town charm, part luxury. Like Jupiter, Tequesta offers Intracoastal Waterway and Loxahatchee River views. Great golf courses and exclusive country clubs stand out, and shopping at the village’s boutique stores in always popular. The arts are celebrated at places such as the Lighthouse ArtCenter. It’s easy to get around by bike, and there are regular local events that keep the community engaged.
Jupiter Farms: Not to be confused with Jupiter as a whole, Jupiter Farms is a census-designated place within Jupiter, west of the Florida Turnpike. It generally has a rural and rustic vibe, and you’ll find quite a few horse farms and equestrian activities to enjoy. “The Farms” as locals call it, was once home to Burt Reynolds Ranch (and previously Al Capone’s hideout). Make sure to check out the various parks in town.
Hobe Sound: Heading north from Palm Beach County across the border into Martin County, you can make your way to Hobe Sound. This coastal community is serene and slow-paced, and like many cities and towns of the area, there’s a nice mix of restaurants, shops and artistic endeavors. The Hobe Sound Farmer’s Market is excellent as well. Plus, there’s the Hobe Sound Nature Center, offering fun and educational activities for all ages.
Stuart: With its location along the St. Lucie River and not too far from the Atlantic Coast, the town of Stuart is yet another haven for golf enthusiasts, but it’s also much more than that. Stuart has shown up on several “best of” lists in recent years for its small-town charm and natural beauty, among other accolades. Music and other live performances are big here, with spots such as The Lyric Theatre and weekly Rock’n Riverwalk events held by Stuart Main Street. In fact, there always seems to be something going on in Stuart, from seasonal sales to local festivals and more. And when summer arrives, families all head to Sailfish Splash Waterpark to beat the heat.
Palm City: Just west of Stuart in Martin County is the family-friendly Palm City. It’s a little more affordable, the schools are well-rated, and the location near I-95 is ideal for a day trip or weekend outing to several popular Florida cities. Pendarvis Cove Park is a great place for a quiet, sunset picnic. The Treasure Coast Wildlife Center always offers and engaging experience, and Palm City Farms Produce & Market keeps it fresh and local seven days a week!
Jensen Beach: Another of the county’s ocean and riverfront towns, Jensen Beach has a style that’s kind of “Key West meets the Caribbean.” Besides the beautiful beaches here, there are some rather unique attractions, such as The Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast and the Artist Cottages of Downtown Jensen Beach. Plus, events including Jammin’ Jensen and Taste of Jensen are always a hit.
Sources:
WonderFl.com
VisitFlorida.com
LifeinSouthFl.com
ThePalmBeaches.com
Jupiter.FL.Us
WellingtonFL.gov
Discover.Pbcgov.org
LifeinTreasureCoastFl.com
DiscoverMartin.com
Martin.Fl.Us
DowntownStuartFlorida.com
MyFwc.com