Golden Beach: Quiet and Exclusive Oasis
An exclusive enclave nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and landscaped inlets of the Intracoastal Waterway, Golden Beach offers the ultimate in upscale living. At just over 1.3 miles long, residing in this private waterfront community is an exceptional, coveted experience.
One of the most desirable locales in South Florida, Golden Beach has maintained the founding principles that date back to its origins in the 1920s. Quiet family life is the most valued attribute here, with commercial activity of any kind forbidden along with the construction of high-rise towers that have obscured so much of the South Florida beachfront.
The neighborhood of Golden Beach is comprised of 370 single-family homes, most located directly along its landscaped coastlines. Residents, the majority of whom are affluent families from the U.S. and abroad, are united by a distinct sense of community, cherishing the privacy and serenity of this coastal oasis.
From its very inception Golden Beach was meant to provide respite from the bustling crowds, businesses, and skyscraper condominiums and hotels ingrained in city life. The town is positioned just between Fort Lauderdale and Miami, close enough for easy access to metropolitan amenities, but once within its borders this urban cacophony is a distant memory.
Truly earning its reputation as “Florida’s Riviera," the town of Golden Beach offers luxurious living to a select few, upholding its legacy as a tranquil haven within the eternal summer paradise of South Florida. Life here is truly exquisite, marked by extraordinary pleasure and privilege.
Golden Beach Facts
- 921 residents
- 370 housing units
- Median household income: $136,686
- 0 commercial businesses
- Avg temp: high 70s
The sculpted coastline of Golden Beach is home to just over 900 residents living in 370 single-family homes and stately mansions, ranging from $500,000 to well over $10 million. Several are outfitted with gated entryways, personal boat docks and waterfront space amidst the private sandy beaches and lush vegetation of the area. Architecturally the Spanish Colonial Revival style is prevalent, exemplified by pale stucco and tiled roofs set against a backdrop of swaying palm trees and sunny skies.
R.W. and Henry G. Ralston, the brothers who created Golden Beach, envisioned a small community devoted to family life and a suburban feel. They purchased a private strip of beachfront and, along with the newly formed Golden Beach Corporation, put extensive resources toward building infrastructure, landscaping swampland, and forming three small islands with two adjacent peninsulas.
The Ralstons’ idyllic vision came to fruition in 1928 when the first few houses were built along the oceanfront. However, at this point the Golden Beach Corporation began to take a less active role in regards to maintenance and development, so area homeowners decided to take matters into their own hands and form their own city.
Shortly thereafter the town of Golden Beach was incorporated, becoming a legal community under its present status in May of 1929. The original town charter is still on file at the Town Hall to be viewed by any resident.
The main road traversing Golden Beach is Ocean Boulevard/Collins Avenue, which is, in fact, the only road leading to Dade County as six other routes were closed in 1981 to prevent an influx of traffic and tourists from outside.
Nonetheless, the town is just 15 miles from Fort Lauderdale and 17 miles to Miami, allowing easy access to the fine dining, cultural institutions, shopping centers and sports venues of the area.
Miami International Airport is also an easy 30 minute drive. But despite its proximity to these major urban centers, Golden Beach maintains its status as a secluded oasis far removed from the hectic noise of the city.
Elegantly landscaped recreational space is easily accessible for Golden Beach residents, with several parks, athletic courts, and outdoor areas along Golden Beach Drive and Ocean Boulevard.
The area’s historic Beach Pavilion, only available to local homeowners, has been recently renovated with new furniture and facades as well as wireless internet access.
Three additional parks are also found within the borders of Golden Beach. John Tweddle Park has two tennis courts, a basketball court, a children’s playground, and a picnic shelter. North Park and South Park, located on the sculpted peninsulas between Golden Beach’s three islands, offer a ball field and passive recreational area. A canine park has recently been established, and two additional green spaces are currently in planning stages.
