Marathon has one of the prettiest beaches in the Keys. It’s two miles off of Highway One so you don’t get drive-by traffic as you do on some of the other spots in the Upper Keys or in Key West. This provides a more relaxing, remote and escapist feel than any other beach. It’s free, there’s plenty of parking and the facilities are updated, spotless and beautiful. The swimming area is spectacular and the soft, deep sand invites you to dig in your toes and stay all day. In the adjacent park there are picnic benches, shade areas, nice bathrooms, outdoor showers and stunning ocean side views. The beach is surrounded on two sides by water: the south side and the west side. The west side is terrific for catching the famous Florida Keys sunsets. Sombrero Beach curls inward on itself, east to west, which in the morning and late afternoon makes for fantastic race pictures.
Directions....
To get here turn off of US 1 onto Sombrero Beach Road at mile marker 50 (by Publix and Kmart) and follow for two miles to the end of the road. If you’re riding a bicycle, there’s a wide bike path the entire route from Oversees Highway to the beach. Bring your lunch, your dog, your kids - whatever you want for a day at the races.
