EXPLORE VERO BEACH
KNOWN as the “Gateway to the Tropics”, Vero Beach was rated the “Best Small Town in Florida and 12th in the Nation” and visitors make their way here again and again for its casual elegance and inherent natural beauty. Part of Florida’s Treasure Coast, Vero Beach is known for its outstanding beaches; three of the most popular are South Beach, Humiston Park, and Jaycee Park which also has an adjacent boardwalk.According to the World Almanac, Vero Beach is at the eastern end of the line that separates Florida’s climate into two zones, to the north, a subtropical climate and to the south, a tropical climate. This unique combination of climates produces an unusual mix of vegetation, blending ancient oak and pine forests typical of more northern regions with the palms and colorful blooms of the tropics.Find the perfect stretch of beach, surf, scuba dive, snorkel, indulge in any of the dozens of other watersports or do absolutely nothing at all, you’ll find this wonderful A1A destination eagerly waiting for you to explore it.If it’s shopping you’re interested in, you can choose from independently owned shops and boutiques along the beaches, shopping outlets, The Village Shops, as well as a number of fine shops and eateries in the Historic Downtown District. Shopping enthusiasts are likely to find enough apparel, resort wear, shoes, handbags, gifts and accessories to keep you coming back for more.With its lively cultural scene, there’s much to explore here including theatres, art galleries & museums, historical & ghost walking tours, arts & entertainment, eco-adventures, and botanical gardens; with an ever growing calendar of events, you’re bound to find something to excite and entertain you while you’re here. As the sun sets on your fun-filled days, prepare for an eclectic variety of dining experiences and relaxed nightlife.When you’re ready to rest, whether you choose a Hotel, Motel, Cottage, Resort or Vacation Rental to call home during your stay, you’ll discover why visitors from around the corner and around the globe return again and again to Vero Beach. If you’re interested in reading more about the recent happenings, here’s a link to our Vero Beach Journal (blog) page.
Find the perfect stretch of beach, surf, scuba dive, snorkel, indulge in any of the dozens of other watersports or do absolutely nothing at all, you’ll find this wonderful A1A destination eagerly waiting for you to explore it.If it’s shopping you’re interested in, you can choose from independently owned shops and boutiques along the beaches, shopping outlets, The Village Shops, as well as a number of fine shops and eateries in the Historic Downtown District. Shopping enthusiasts are likely to find enough apparel, resort wear, shoes, handbags, gifts and accessories to keep you coming back for more.With its lively cultural scene, there’s much to explore here including theatres, art galleries & museums, historical & ghost walking tours, arts & entertainment, eco-adventures, and botanical gardens; with an ever growing calendar of events, you’re bound to find something to excite and entertain you while you’re here. As the sun sets on your fun-filled days, prepare for an eclectic variety of dining experiences and relaxed nightlife.When you’re ready to rest, whether you choose a Hotel, Motel, Cottage, Resort or Vacation Rental to call home during your stay, you’ll discover why visitors from around the corner and around the globe return again and again to Vero Beach. If you’re interested in reading more about the recent happenings, here’s a link to our Vero Beach Journal (blog) page.
With its lively cultural scene, there’s much to explore here including theatres, art galleries & museums, historical & ghost walking tours, arts & entertainment, eco-adventures, and botanical gardens; with an ever growing calendar of events, you’re bound to find something to excite and entertain you while you’re here. As the sun sets on your fun-filled days, prepare for an eclectic variety of dining experiences and relaxed nightlife.When you’re ready to rest, whether you choose a Hotel, Motel, Cottage, Resort or Vacation Rental to call home during your stay, you’ll discover why visitors from around the corner and around the globe return again and again to Vero Beach. If you’re interested in reading more about the recent happenings, here’s a link to our Vero Beach Journal (blog) page.
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- The Village Shops
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- Beautiful Jaycee Park
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- Extraordinary Beaches
Don’t Miss These…
GATEWAY TO THE TROPICS: According to the World Almanac, Vero Beach is at the eastern end of the line that separates Florida’s climate into two zones; to the north, a subtropical climate and to the south, a tropical climate. This unique combination of climates produces an unusual mix of vegetation here blending ancient oak and pine forests typical of more northern regions with the palms and colorful blooms of the tropics. For this reason, Vero Beach is known as the “Gateway to the Tropics” and visitors make their way here (including us) again and again for its casual elegance and inherent natural beauty. We pulled off the road (A1A of course) to take this pic of the sunset over the Indian River in Vero Beach. If you decide to come here and explore, here’s an address that will bring you very close to Sexton Plaza Beach – 1050 Beachland Boulevard, Vero Beach, 32963.
SEBASTIAN INLET: Sebastian Inlet is a man-made cut through the barrier island. This cut through connects the Atlantic Ocean with one of the most bio-diverse estuaries in the world, the Indian River Lagoon (we needed to look up the word ‘estuary’ – it’s where an ocean tide meets a river current). The Main Park Entrance and northern rec area address is 9700 South Highway A1A, Melbourne Beach, 32951. We chose to explore the southern rec area (it was WAY less crowded and equally stunning) if you want to get to the southern area, the address is 14251 Florida A1A, Vero Beach, 32963. Since it’s a State Park there are fees to get in; $8 for vehicles (up to 8 people), $4 individual (in a vehicle), $2 walkers/bicyclists, or buy an annual pass; any route you choose it’s quite a bargain for a truly memorable place to spend the day, with parking, concessions, and tidy restroom facilities!
THE VILLAGE SHOPS: From USA Today we learned that the first group of settlers arrived in Vero Beach around 1840 however the urbanization of the area didn’t begin for another 75 years until after automobiles were being mass-produced in the US via the assembly line. When people could access the area more easily, vacation homes and resorts began dotting the beaches and Vero Beach’s reputation as a winter destination began. This pic was taken at the Village Shops a unique art, retail, and dining destination along our favorite highway and if you decide to come here and explore, the address is 6174 N Highway A1A, 32963.
VERO BEACH: Many local history books were written long after the naming of a town had occurred which means much of the information typically comes from hearsay; it is in this spirit of the unconfirmed that we offer the following… From Indian River County Library we learned there are a dozen theories on where the name “Vero” came from and include Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian translations, East Coast Railroad controversy, postal edicts, even one that suggests the name was derived because hurricanes “veered” away from the area, yet the story most often attributed to the name’s origin comes from Sarah Gifford (wife of notable early settler Henry Gifford) who suggested the settlement be named for its Latin meaning, “to speak the truth” and while the library indicates this theory of her choosing a Latin word is reasonable and most likely, they also add that it would be interesting to understand why she felt Vero was a place for truth. It is certain however that in 1925 Vero’s name was officially changed to Vero Beach and this pic shot in spectacular Vero Beach is one of our favorites.
