Enjoy Beautiful Beach Life - from the New York City Boroughs of Coney Island to more Fun along the Southeastern Coastline.
- All Ny Fun Tours
- Mar 19
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 13
Travel from New York City with Private Tour Options
Exploring the Differences Between Florida, the Carolinas, and Southern California Beach Towns with Brooklyn's Coney Island.
Cities in South Florida, like Miami, and South Carolina, like Myrtle Beach, often evoke a similar vibe to those in Southern California. Think palm trees, beautiful beaches, and striking skylines—elements that give both regions their laid-back, coastal charm. Yet, despite these common features, there are distinct differences in population and urban environments that set them apart, making each of them seem especially appealing in their own unique style.
New York's Coney Island, Miami Beach, Southern California, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, geographically share the same continent, but each beach or coastal destination caters to different lifestyles and experiences. After all, New York City and Brooklyn's Coney Island are similar to Miami's juxtaposition with Miami Beach. And just as Miami Beach complements Miami, so does Coney Island complement New York’s urban vibe, offering tourists a unique experience with a more relaxed, neighborhood-like environment.
In contrast to these beach towns (such as those in California, Florida, or the Carolinas), Coney Island is as busy as Times Square. It’s a great choice for those seeking a high-energy environment with plenty of things to do, but it may not appeal to those looking for a quieter beach experience.
While these cities share that signature coastal atmosphere, the scale of Miami is often underestimated, making it feel more accessible and compact than other major cities or major beach city destinations. Miami's "big apple" vibe is more noticeable due to its compact nature. Downtown Miami is close to Miami Beach, creating a feeling of being near a big city. Miami is the cultural and economic hub of South Florida, with a big-city feel, international influences, and a much more diverse population.
Compared with Myrtle Beach, SC, which has a population of about 35,000, Miami is much larger and perhaps more intimate than New York's Coney Island. Coney Island is not central to New York's economy. Myrtle Beach, on the other hand, plays a big role in South Carolina's tourism economy. The Grand Strand feels more like a small town with a tight-knit golf community and a laid-back atmosphere.
This differs from Southern California, where downtown's economy is nearly an hour's drive from various locations, including the beach. All of these cities boast vibrant cultures; however, SoCal culture is shaped by Spanish and Indigenous peoples, which is evident in its numerous Hispanc-inspired restaurants and venues. In contrast, Miami is heavily influenced by Hispanic cultures, such as Little Havana and Little Haiti. Cuban art, music, and food are very popular in the region.
Home of the famous Nathan's Hotdogs, Coney Island is also the home of the world's largest elevated subway station.
Miami is famous for its wide, sandy beaches, affordable resorts, and a wide range of family-oriented activities like amusement parks, golf courses, and entertainment venues. While there are plenty of restaurants and bars, the pace of life is much slower, and the nightlife is more casual and less intense than in Miami. In almost any beach town, in terms of nature, the golf community offers a great opportunity to participate in outdoor activities such as mini-golf or golf course activity.
And believe it or not, even Coney Island boasts miniature golf and an 18-hole golf course.
Myrtle Beach is more centered around golf attractions with affordable entertainment. The boardwalk, amusement parks, live music venues, and mini-golf courses provide fun for all ages. However, with a golf community of more than 80 golf courses, it is more relaxed than Miami Beach and Coney Island.
Other forms of natural outdoor activities include the protected natural habitats in the Myrtle Beach, SC and Miami Beach, Florida. Situated near two national parks—Biscayne National Park and Everglades National Park—Miami offers both marine and wildlife experiences. The city also boasts numerous parks and nature centers.
Custom NYC Outbound Tours
What may seem interesting is that both of the beach cities share an element of art deco architecture with larger cities. Miami's cultural richness, Art Deco architecture, and vibrant atmosphere distinguish it from other beach cities in Florida, as well as Southern California's art deco style differs from other coastal cities in California. Even art deco buildings grace the avenue in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Arts décoratifs, the Art Deco style of design, originated in Paris in the early twentieth century and expanded in the U.S. in the 1930s, helping to establish Miami as a popular vacation destination. Could Southern California and Myrtle Beach, SC, also share in the coastal love fest for art deco? However disappointing for Art Deco enthusiasts, Southern California, by contrast, has fewer Art Deco buildings and a wider variety of older architectural styles that may be considered to lack the distinctive Art Deco vibe of Miami.
In Miami Beach, art deco represents a significant part of the local identity. Los Angeles and New York's examples of art deco are not concentrated in one area and thus may appear limited compared to the abundance found in other places like Miami Beach. According to experts, the city of Miami, Florida, has more than 800 art deco buildings. The state of California has as many as that or more. New York City, including Coney Island, has its fair share of art deco, too. According to the experts, there are nearly 100 buildings registered with the Art Deco Society of New York City.
Whether it’s a small seaside village or a larger resort town, beach towns usually have a more tranquil and nature-oriented vibe, making them ideal for those looking for a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
These towns are often quieter, with slower-paced days centered around enjoying the beach, local shops, and casual dining and golfing.
تعليقات