Surfside is a small incorporated town in Miami-Dade County, Florida, occupying roughly 361 acres on the barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay. It sits north of Miami Beach's North Beach neighborhood and south of the village of Bal Harbour, making it one of the narrow, oceanfront municipalities that string along Collins Avenue. About 5,700 residents call the town home, most of them living in the multistory condominium and apartment buildings that line the beach. Despite its modest size, Surfside has a distinct civic identity, with its own local government, a walkable business district, and a long history as a fashionable oceanfront retreat.
That history is anchored by the Surf Club, a private social club opened in 1930 and designed by architect Russell Pancoast. Built on Collins Avenue, it became a gathering place for entertainers, industrialists, and socialites through the middle of the 20th century, hosting gala dinners, poolside events, and celebrity guests. Today it survives as the Four Seasons Hotel and residences, preserving much of the original architecture while adding modern hotel and condominium uses. The club's legacy still colors the town's character, lending Surfside an air of old South Florida glamour tempered by a relaxed, family-friendly present.
For residents, Surfside's appeal is its walkability and its calm. The beach is the centerpiece, backed by a compact commercial strip of restaurants, cafes, and shops, while Bal Harbour's luxury shopping and Miami Beach's cultural scene are both steps away. The population mixes full-time families, retirees, and seasonal owners, giving the town a stable, low-key feel year-round. It suits people who want oceanfront, condominium living in a small-town setting, with the conveniences and energy of greater Miami immediately accessible.
