Boca Raton, known as just Boca to locals, has acquired a reputation as a haven for ‘Golden Agers’, and it has long been associated with affluence. Located between West Palm Beach and Pompano Beach, the area was not even incorporated as a town until 1925. While it’s true that Boca claims some of the most expensive real estate in the US, don’t be deterred; there’s a lot more to experience than high prices.
One almost startling attribute is the determination of city planners to avoid rampant commercialization.
No billboards are allowed, no open car dealerships, not even any high-rise Golden Arches. The whole place is somewhat reminiscent of old Italian villas, typified by Mizner Park, the downtown open air shopping and dining plaza with its vast array of big name stores, eclectic boutiques and restaurants surrounding a landscaped central park.
Should you tire of the dazzling shopping opportunities, Boca has culture to spare. Numerous world-class art galleries and live theatre performances are on offer, including Caldwell Theatre Company, the oldest professional theatre in South Florida. There is also a large new amphitheatre in Mizner Park that features outdoor concerts and other entertainment.
Beaches in the vicinity include Red Reef Park, located on Boca’s eastern shore and featuring a series of small coral reefs that are close enough for snorkeling without the need to rent a boat. Probably the most popular with young people is Spanish River Beach, and if you’re a member or guest of one, you can enjoy the ultra-posh Boca Baton Resort and Club.
Some of the best golf courses in the eastern US are sprinkled liberally in and around Boca, though the greens fees are relatively steep. Tennis and sailing are also very popular, and there is a multitude of venues for both activities. Another fun way to spend a day is a boat tour on the intracoastal waterway; you can even get a guide who will point out celebrity houses.
