Well, it's sure hot down here this weekend.  Today it hit 90 degrees and tomorrow should be the same.  It usually gets a bit warm right as a cold front approaches.  The next cold front is due on Monday...but it will be more like a 'cool' front.  The sky was clear today so we decided to hit the beach early today.  We got up and made it out to Lauderdale-by-the-Sea at about 7 AM, right before sunrise.  This is a great time to get to the beach too...not too many people and not too hot.  We walked around and watched the sunrise which was beautiful.  There wasn't a cloud in the way either. 

Lauderdale-by-the-Sea is a quiet 'town' just north of Ft. Lauderdale Beach.  It's mostly filled with small 'Mom-n-Pop' restaurants and hotels with many condos and small homes.  It also has a large retirement community as well.  It's a great spot to hit the beach without the 'mob' scene that usually happens here in the Spring.

We walked to take a few pictures of a hotel that a reader had asked me about...The Lauderdale Beach Hotel on A1A.  It's a 'budget' hotel that consists of 2 buildings.  One is actually right on the beach with direct access.  I would say that it looked kind of like a Ramada Hotel from the outside.  There is also a Damon's Grill (formerly Damon's, a Place for Ribs) attached to the hotel.  Also, across the street is a Publix Supermarket, CVS, a Liquor Store, Dunkin Donuts and a Diner (Sea Ranch Diner...a review in a separate post).  Overall the hotels location is key.  I didn't get to see a room, but the pool area looked nice and the lobby was clean.  The rates appeared to be very reasonable as well. 

 
(left - the Lauderdale Beach Hotel beach-side, right - the hotel's pool)

 
(left - sunrise from the hotel's pool, right - the hotel lobby)

We walked back to the small 'town square' area which it right at Commercial Blvd.  There are restaurants, a few bars and some shops.  There is also a pier that you can walk out on for a small fee.  It's a cute town and there is actually quite a bit of building still going on.  You can see a few groups of townhouses still under construction as you walk down the beach.  Overall I would say this is a great little town that has enough to offer those looking for a reasonable beach getaway.  If you are more into a 'low key' type trip, you might want to take a look at Lauderdale-by-the Sea.  Everyone is welcome and it's a great place to bring the kids as well.


(Jeff grabbing the sunrise)


(Sunrise at the beach in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL)


(Lauderdale-by-the-Sea Pier - view from the water.)


(Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, 'town square')


(Lauderdale-by-the-Sea palm trees on the beach)


(Aruba Beach Cafe, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea)