June 6, 2011
Florida Beach Named Nation's Best for 2011
Robert Doyle READ TIME: 1 MIN.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The nation's top beach critic named a Florida beach the best in the nation Friday, affirming that the Sunshine State's world-famous beaches are widely loved for good reason.
Siesta Key Beach, on a barrier island off Florida's central Gulf Coast, is the best beach in America for 2011, says Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, aka "Dr. Beach," who released his prestigious annual rankings Friday.
"The powdery sand is nearly pure quartz crystal. The beach is hundreds of yards wide, attracting volleyball players and beachcombers as well as those who just want to find their place in the sun," said Leatherman, who is director of Florida International University's Laboratory for Coastal Research.
St. George Island State Park, in Northwest Florida, and Cape Florida State Park, in Key Biscayne, also are in Dr. Beach's Top 10 for this year. The other Top 10 beaches are in six other states.
Seven other Florida beaches were named best in America in recent years: Caladesi Island (2008) and Fort De Soto North (2005), both in the St. Petersburg/Tampa Bay area; St. Joseph Peninsula State Park (2002) near Port St. Joe; St. Andrews State Park (1995) in Panama City Beach; Grayton Beach (1994) in Walton County; and Bahia Honda State Park (1992) in the Florida Keys.
Find information about all of Florida's award-winning beaches and other wonderful vacation opportunities -- along with travel-planning tools, "Insider" tips and discussions -- at www.VISITFLORIDA.com, Facebook.com/VISITFLORIDA, and Twitter.com/VISITFLORIDA.
Long-term New Yorkers, Mark and Robert have also lived in San Francisco, Boston, Provincetown, D.C., Miami Beach and the south of France. The recipient of fellowships at MacDowell, Yaddo, and Blue Mountain Center, Mark is a PhD in American history and literature, as well as the author of the novels Wolfchild and My Hawaiian Penthouse. Robert is the producer of the documentary We Are All Children of God. Their work has appeared in numerous publications, as well as at : www.mrny.com.
