A Guide to Coconut Grove, Miami’s Tropical Enclave

Coconut Grove is a waterfront neighborhood at the southern end of Miami, just a 15-minute drive from Miami Beach. Though it offers luxury condos and gated waterfront homes, just like Miami Beach, the feeling of “The Grove” is completely different. Once a hippie sanctuary known for its bohemian vibes and junglelike tree canopy, today Coconut Grove is a tropical oasis well known for its tree-lined streets, lush landscaping, waterfront parks and marinas. Local Coconut Grove resident for more than ten years and Douglas Elliman agent Michael Light describes himself as “a Groveite through and through.” “Coconut Grove is one of the most sought-after places in South Florida to call home because it’s such an extraordinary community. The Grove allows you to be tucked away in privacy, but is only minutes from the vibrant, energetic streets of Miami Beach, Brickell and Downtown Miami,” says Light. Below, Michael Light takes us on a tour of his beloved neighborhood of Coconut Grove and shows us all it has to offer to Florida residents or Northeasterners looking to relocate. The History Vizcaya Museum and Gardens; Photo: travelviewShutterstock Coconut Grove is one of South Florida’s most historic neighborhoods, with homes such as The Barnacle, a historically-designated waterfront home that was built in 1891 by New Yorker Ralph Middleton Munroe, and the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens , built between 1914 and 1922 by James Deering. Camp Biscayne , also built by Ralph Munroe, is the former 1920s winter getaway that catered to such visitors as the Rockefeller family and Alexander Graham Bell, providing them with a captivating and rustically charming camp for water activities such as fishing and sailing. Today, Camp Biscayne is one of Coconut Grove’s luxury, gated waterfront communities. The Boating Lifestyle Grove Harbour Marina; Photo: NavinTarShutterstock Coconut Grove is an extraordinarily unique place for any boating enthusiast in part for its variety of marinas. Residents enjoy the opportunity to choose a marina that best suits their individual needs. Among the options are  Grove Harbour Marina , Coconut Grove Sailing Club , Biscayne Bay Yacht Club and  Coral Reef Yacht Club . “With so many marinas to choose from, some would argue that Coconut Grove is the sailing capital of Miami,” says Light. The Shopping, Restaurants & Entertainment Cinépolis at CocoWalk; Photo: Jerome LABOUYRIE Shutterstock.com “The area’s shopping, restaurants and entertainment still represent the humbleness of Coconut Grove but completely embrace sheer sophistication simultaneously,” Light explains. “Coconut Grove offers a unique combination of favorite stores and specialty boutiques in and around the Mayfair shopping mall and the famous CocoWalk , in the heart of the neighborhood.” CocoWalk is currently undergoing a major renovation due to the resurgence of The Grove, adding Class A office space for businesses looking for a prime location. Foodies have an eclectic variety of restaurants to choose from, such as local favorites  Harry’s Pizzeria , Glass & Vine ,  Green Street Café , Strada In The Grove and Jaguar . Light’s entertainment suggestions include visiting CocoWalk for live music on the weekends and movies at Cinépolis . He also likes the Grove Green Market on Saturdays for fresh, healthy food and artisanal treats. In addition, there’s a wide variety of annual events such as the Coconut Grove Arts Festival , the  King Mango Strut Parade  held on New Year’s Eve, the Goombay Festival celebrating the spirit of Bahamian culture steeped in Coconut Grove’s history, the Coconut Grove Seafood Festival  and many more. The Parks    “Coconut Grove features many parks which are all perfectly nestled into its serene streets. Some of my favorites are Kennedy Park , Peacock Park  and Barnacle Historic State Park , to name a few, each offering their own uniqueness,” says Light. He also suggests checking out the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens  and The Kampong National Tropical Botanical Gardens . Coconut Grove Real Estate Coconut Grove real estate covers four distinct neighborhoods: North, Center, West and South Grove. Throughout these neighborhoods, you can find homes ranging from small tropical cottages, to townhouses in Center Grove, to luxury high-rise condos, to palatial waterfront estates. If privacy is important to you, Coconut Grove has 16 gated communities including The Moorings, Hughes Cove and Camp Biscayne. “Coconut Grove has many options for homes priced under $1 million, but we’ve also seen major price increases over the past five years. For example, luxury condo building Park Grove is setting a new record. Currently over 85% sold with prices exceeding $1,500 per square foot, it’s the most expensive condo ever built in Miami.” Suggested Listings 3737 Jutison Rd. Price: $3.895 million 1660 S. Bayshore Ct. Price: $3.95 million 1 Park Grove Ln. Price: $4.309 million 3506 Bayshore Villas Dr. Price: $2.475 million View more properties for sale in Coconut Grove, Florida and find your next home.