Listen to the tour introductionA short audio preview of this tour
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Hello and Welcome to this UCPlaces tour of Sunny Isles and Bal Harbour, Florida. My name is Shelly and I will be guiding you on this tour on behalf of our local expert Rita Japhet. With over a decade of experience in Luxury Real Estate, Rita is a consummate professional and a true innovator in the international real estate market.
Whether staying on top of marketing trends or analyzing the real estate market, Rita’s skills are beneficial at all levels, with her fluency in French, Italian and Spanish, and her knowledge and negotiation skills she has been instrumental in selling over 200 new construction units to a wide range of clients in the United States and around the world.
If after the tour you want to learn more, make sure to contact Rita at (305) 450-6662 or send her an email at rita@sunnyislesrealestate.com.
Now let’s talk about Sunny Isles. Sunny Isles is a city on a barrier island, nestled right between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intercoastal Highway. Sunny Isles is often referred to as “Florida's Riviera”, with over two and half miles of pristine beaches.
Bal Harbour, just south of Sunny Isles, is known for its upscale shopping along with being a hub for luxury resorts and white sandy beaches.
The great part of the Sunny Isles/Bay Harbour area is it’s nestled right between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, making the city scene only a drive away, while giving you the chance to have a beach oasis away from all the urban commotion. It’s the best of both worlds.
To start this tour, meet me over by the Four Seasons Surf Club.
Top landmarks and attractions included in this English self-guided 30m driving tour in Surfside
For the best experience, begin at the tour's recommended starting point and follow the stops in order.
Want to start somewhere else? Simply use Start At on the tour screen, before tapping Start Tour, to begin from any stop.
Need to detour or skip a stop along the way? Tap Tour Assistant () to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
Route Preview
Places (POIs) visited during this tour
Place 1
The Surf Club at the Four-Season Hotel Recommended starting point
Distance: 0.79 mi · Attraction: Residences
9101 Collins Ave, Surfside, FL 33154, USA
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We will be starting this tour off in Bal Harbour and then work our way up the A1A to the beautiful Sunny Isles.
Welcome to our first stop on the tour, The Surf Club at the Four Seasons Hotel located on your left. The Surf Club is a private luxury residence located at one of the world’s best known hotels. The Four Seasons Hotel was built originally in 1930 and was known for hosting only the most world-renowned guests from Frank Sinatra to Winston Churchill. The Surf Club still has remnants from it’s old Hollywood Past, seen in art deco inspired details.
Enjoy all the amenities of a Four Season hotel with residents enjoying their own private pool, elevator lobby and dedicated valet parking.
The Surf Club offers 112 state-of-the-art, contemporary-styled residences designed by the award-winning architect Richard Meier. Enjoy beautiful features like frameless glass balconies, high–lacquer–finished cabinets and sub-zero appliances. The best part though, is the unobstructed view of the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay.
Distance: 2.08 mi · Attraction: Shopping
9910 Collins Ave #5, Bal Harbour, FL 33154, USA
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On your right we will be passing St. Regis Resort and Residences. Built in 2012, it hosts a standard of excellence like nothing else. St. Regis offers 27 floors of luxury condos including professional grade kitchen appliances, walk-in marble showers and spacious outdoor balconies.
Enjoy amenities like 24-hour dine-in service and in-room catering, 24-hour valet service and of course beach access. To unwind, enjoy convenient access to St. Regis’s onsite spa, The Remede. Enjoy signature services like pedicures and manicures or rejuvenate your senses with a deep tissue massage or Marine Mud Body Wrap. Complete your experience with a bottle of chilled champagne or Jacques Torres truffles.
Just a convenient walk away is the Bal Harbour Shops, located on your left. Built over 50 years ago by Stanley Whitney, better known as the “Walt Disney” of luxury retailing, this open-air shopping mall lets you enjoy the Florida sun while you shop high-end names like Gucci, Rolex and Valentino.
If you’re looking for a place to dine out, you’ve got to go to Carpaccio. Carpaccio has been serving the Bal Harbour community with authentic Italian food since 1994. Try real, Italian classics like Pasta Fagioli and Dentice Pescatore.
Continue straight on Collins Avenue as we head up the Haulover Marine Center.
Distance: 0.91 mi · Attraction: Marine Center
15101 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33140, USA
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On your left we will be passing the Haulover Marine Center, sitting right on the intracoastal highway. The Marine Center offers dry storage for boats and watercraft under 60 feet. Located just half a mile from the Bakers, Haulover Inlet gives boaters easy access to the Ocean.
Haulover Point, located just south of the Haulover Marine Center, is one of south Florida's most popular sandbars, offering all the boating necessities such as gas, bait and tackle as well as a Marine service repair center.
Up ahead on your right we will pass the Residences at the Ritz-Carlton, formally known as One Bal Harbour. The Ritz Carlton offers a 26-story luxury condo tower, with units ranging from 2 to 4 bedrooms as well as penthouses offering picturesque views of the South Florida skyline. Enjoy Italian styled kitchens and jacuzzi tubs in this perfect beach oasis.
Make sure to take a left onto NE 163rd St.
Distance: 0.99 mi · Attraction: park
NE 163 St & Collins Av, Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160, USA
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On your left we will be passing Gateway Park, one of Sunny Isle’s hidden Gems. Gateway Park is 5 acres of green space, offering the community a Butterfly Garden, performance stage and playground.
Recently opened at Gateway Park is Gateway Center. This brand new 15,000 square foot center is open to all Sunny Isles residents and offers a fitness room, social game tables as well as multi-use classrooms.
The Gateway Center was built as a way to engage all community members by offering a safe location for teens or a social alley for seniors. There is even a hearing loop installed in the center, connecting AV system sound directly to hearing aids and cochlear implants, making the Center accessible to those with hearing issues.
Make sure to take a left into the Entrance for Oleta River State Park.
Distance: 1.77 mi · Attraction: State Park
NE 34th Ave, North Miami Beach, FL 33160, USA
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We are entering Oleta River State Park. This wildlife oasis makes it hard to believe we are only 30 miles away from Miami. Oleta River State Park is over 1,000 acres and is Florida’s largest Urban Park. Those on watercraft can enjoy paddling through mangrove trails or access to the Oleta River. The hidden alcoves make this a popular destination for fishers as well.
It’s not uncommon to see various wildlife that inhabit the Oleta River. You’ll often see hermit crabs in the Mangroves or even manatees or dolphins that frequent the river. Just make sure you clean up after your visit, to make sure the waterways are clean for these animals that call it home.
For those who would rather stay on land, though Florida is flat and coastal, Oleta River offers over 10 miles of intermediate and advanced mountain bike trails. I’d suggest visiting the onsite butterfly garden as well, which offers up-close views of native butterflies such as the Zebra Longwing and the Atala butterfly all year-round.
If you want to stay longer, Oleta River offers 14 rustic, open air cabins available to rent, perfect for a weekend staycation.
Make sure to take a left back onto Florida State Route A1A
Distance: 0.38 mi · Attraction: Residences
17885 Florida A1A, Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160, USA
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On your right we will pass the Estates at Acqualina. These specialty crafted homes are curated and managed by Acqualina Resort and Residences. You’ll even find specialty one and two story fully furnished penthouses. The lobbies were designed by legendary creative director Karl Lagerfeld. He put great detail into the lobbies because “they give you the first impression”.
Relax and enjoy amazing on-site amenities like an Ice-skating rink, zero entry pool, Formula One racing simulation and even a speakeasy disco that makes it so you never need to leave.
Distance: 0.61 mi · Attraction: School
Norman S. Edelcup/Sunny Isles Beach K-8, 201 182nd Dr, Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160, USA
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On your left we will pass the Norman S. Edelcup school. This school was built in 2008 and serves grades K through 8. The creation of this school became a turning point in Sunny Isles, showing the population was moving from a retirement community to a modern community.
The school was renamed The Norman S. Edelcup school after the former Sunny Isles Mayor.
Now let’s get back on Florida A1A . As we go up north to our last stop on this tour make sure to take in the beautiful beach views.
Distance: 0.00 mi · Attraction: Residences
18969 Collins Ave, Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160, USA
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Our last stop on this tour will be the Residences by Armani Casa on your right. Built in 2019, Armani Casa was co-designed by world renowned architect Cesar Pelli and fashion designer Giorgio Armani.
Armani Casa is also the largest high-rise on this tour, standing at a massive 56 floors and 659 feet. Enjoy floor to ceiling windows as well as imported stone countertops and marble stone floors. Armani Casa is also a smart building, offering seamless access to all of the residence’s amenities including a two-story onsite spa, heated oceanfront pool and temperature-controlled wine-room.
Well, that concludes our tour of the Sunny Isles/Bay Harbour area. If you liked what you saw and want to know more, make sure to give Rita a call at (305) 450-6662 or send her an email at rita@sunnyislesrealestate.com.
Thank you again for taking this tour with UCPlaces.
Taking a UCPlaces tour is fun and easy.
Download the app (Android or iOS), purchase the tour (either here on the website, or from within the app).
That's it, you're ready to go!
When you want to start the tour, find the tour in the app (via a quick in-app search or by clicking the tour link received in your confirmation email) and click "Start Tour" (headphones recommended for best experience.)
* After purchasing a tour you will receive a purchase confirmation email including the tour link and instructions on how to take the tour, so you don't have to remember anything now.
How does the tour work?
UCPlaces acts as your personal tour guide, providing self-guided audio tours fully navigated within our app using GPS-based navigation. You won't need to switch between external navigation apps.
Whenever you approach a point of interest (POI) on the tour, our app will automatically play the relevant audio story at the right time and place.
If you start the tour before reaching the first POI, the app will navigate you to the starting point and then begin the tour.
How is this more convenient than a traditional tour?
UCPlaces offers an innovative and flexible way to explore exciting destinations on your terms. Here are some key advantages over traditional tours:
No need to commit upfront or purchase in advance; buy a tour only when you're ready to go.
Walk at your own pace.
No waiting for groups; go on your schedule.
Take the tour in your preferred language.
Start, stop and continue the tour whenever you want.
Returning to the same destination? Take the tour again, and again, and again... And bring a friend!
Enjoy preferred prices.
What's included?
A self-guided audio tour taken via the UCPlaces app [iOS (iPhone) / Apple CarPlay / Android / Android Auto].
Tour route map and in-app GPS navigation (via the UCPlaces app).
Audio stories for places visited during the tour.
Apple CarPlay connection (iOS users) and Android Auto connection (Android users); for a seamless driving tour experience.
What's NOT included?
Earphones (highly recommended).
Smartphone.
Any kind of transportation (including tickets and passes).
Tickets to the attractions on your tour.
Food and drinks
Physical tour guide.
Have any questions about this tour? Or a general travel / self-guided tours question? That's completely natural
How long does this tour take?
Most travelers complete this tour in approximately 0.5 to 0.5 hours, depending on pace, time spent at each stop, and optional detours. Having said that, please remember that self-guided tours are extremly flexible (you can start, pause, continue anytime) and everyone has their own pace.
What does this tour include?
This self-guided driving tour includes 8 stops, covering top attractions such as The Surf Club at the Four-Season Hotel, Bal Harbour Shops/ St. Regis, Haulover Marine Center/ Ritz Carlton Residences., Gateway park, Oleta River State Park.
Where does the tour start?
The tour starts at The Surf Club at the Four-Season Hotel (Address: 9101 Collins Ave, Surfside, FL 33154, USA). You can begin the tour there or join from any stop along the route.
What type of tour is this?
This is a self-guided driving tour designed to be completed by car, covering scenic routes, city highlights and optional key stops.
Can I do this tour at my own pace?
Yes, this is a self-guided driving tour, so you can start anytime and explore at your own pace. You can pause, skip stops, or spend more time at places that interest you. You can even split it into multiple days. Explore however feels right for you. The only vaiables that might affect your pace are speed limits and traffic congestion.
Do I need a car for this tour?
Yes, this is a driving tour, designed to be completed by car, with stops spread across different locations connected by a driving route.
Do I need anything in order to take the tour?
There are two things that you need - 1. A mobile phone (with the UCPlaces app installed and active location services, and a cellular data plan with a decent signal for downloading the tour). 2. A car. Here are some recommendations for a great experience: 1. Make sure your phone is fully charged and bring a charging cable for your car. 2. Connect your phone to the car speaker system via bluetooth or use our CarPlay/Android Auto option for the best experience.
How will I navigate from point to point during the tour?
The tour uses GPS-based navigation through the UCPlaces app, with automatic audio playback and step-by-step directions between stops. This works great either directly from your phone, or while connected to your car's multimedia system and using our CarPlay or Android Auto options. Just follow the route and listen to the audio guide. Use the resume feature to continue from where you recently stopped (or closed the app). Easily skip or go back to stops.
What known landmarks and main sites does this tour have?
The top landmarks and main sites on this tour include Bal Harbour Shops/ St. Regis, Oleta River State Park, Gateway park, The Surf Club at the Four-Season Hotel, Haulover Marine Center/ Ritz Carlton Residences. and Residences by Armani Casa.. In total, the tour has 8 points of interest along the route.
Is this tour suitable for families or groups?
Yes, self-guided tours are ideal for families and small groups, allowing everyone to explore comfortably without being tied to a fixed schedule.
What makes a self-guided tour better than a guided tour?
Self-guided tours are more flexible, affordable, and personalized. You can avoid crowds, choose your pace, and focus on the stops that interest you most.
I installed the app and it's now asking for GPS and media access permissions, why?
The app is your tour-guide, it needs to know where you are located on the map to be able to trigger the points of interest. It also needs access to audio and media files to provide you with this experience.
What happens if there are unexpected roadblocks or navigation issues?
We have been working hard to deliver a great experience. Though you may run into unexpected obstacles (the world is constantly changing), our app has multiple features and mechanisms in place to help you overcome them, including: AI assistance, force play an audio if you can't reach the stop, skip or return to stops, automatic rerouting and more.
Can I take the tour in my language?
Though all of our tours are primarily in English, many tours are muyltilingual (including: Spanish, German, Portuguese, French, Japanese, Hebrew, French, Arabic and more...). The tour language options depend on the specific tour - You can easily check which languages are available in the tour screen!
Driving tour
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
