Village of Palmetto Bay

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by Hal Feldman — Updated October 14, 2024
Official logo of Palmetto Bay, FL

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Since becoming its own municipality in 2002, Palmetto Bay has groomed itself to be a “Village of Parks” and a family-friendly place to live. Palmetto Bay is nicknamed the “Village of Parks” because it has 6 park facilities offering recreational activities and preserving the natural environment. It has excellent schools and family-friendly streets.

  • Population: 24,264

  • Median Household Income: $144,987

  • Median Home Price: $1.16M

  • Homes For Sale in Palmetto Bay, FL: click here

I lived in Palmetto Bay for 15 years and found its people and parks to be one of the best experiences for me and my two kids. The various activities and public events throughout the year are a great way for individuals and families to come together as a community.

WHERE IS PALMETTO BAY?

Palmetto Bay is essentially the area East of US-1, South of SW 136th Street and North of SW 184th Street (Click to enlarge)

The Village of Palmetto Bay is nestled in the southeastern corner of Miami-Dade County, Florida. It offers a tranquil escape from the city's hustle and bustle while still providing convenient access to urban amenities. It's a short 25-minute drive from Miami International Airport (MIA) and about 30 minutes from the Port of Miami. Downtown Miami is roughly a 35-40-minute drive, depending on traffic. Residents also enjoy proximity to popular destinations like Coral Gables (15 minutes) and Key Biscayne (40 minutes).

Banner showing a baseball diamond and playground equipment

PARKS

Palmetto Bay has two large parks, two specialty park areas, and a dog park.

  • Coral Reef Park is adjacent to Coral Reef Elementary School along SW 152nd Street. It contains over 50 acres. There is a jog/walk/bike path, football field, baseball field, soccer fields, tennis courts, volleyball court, and a great playground. The Village even has a space for a food vendor near the ball fields. Coral Reef Park is where the Village holds its annual Incorporation Celebration Picnic. Seeing about 5000 people show up for this beautiful and free event is a blast. The park also has free movie nights a few times a year, often in conjunction with Earth Week and holiday celebrations.

  • Palmetto Bay Park is located at the southern end of the Village and is about a block from Village Hall. It was expanded to 25 acres in 2006. Filled with a beautiful playground, six softball fields, and a skate park, the park serves as a main destination for league baseball/softball games. In 2023, pickleball courts were added. Considering its proximity to Village Hall, more community events are happening here all the time.

  • Ludovici Park is adjacent to the Palmetto Bay branch of the Miami-Dade Public Library and is just north of the Palmetto Bay Village Center (formerly served as Burger King HQ) on Old Cutler Road and approximately 177th Street. Ludovici Park is home to smaller Village events and is well suited for music concerts with its bandshell. The Annual Summer Concert, which started in 2013, has its home here, and the Village does an annual tree giveaway from this location during Earth Week.

  • Thalatta Estate Park is a dual-purpose property. It is an event space and quiet walking park on an expansive piece of manicured lawn providing views of Biscayne Bay. This gated park is open at limited times and is on Old Cutler Road at approximately 173rd Street. With the historic Thalatta Estate, it is a perfect spot for weddings, parties, graduations, bar/bat mitzvahs. You can rent out the grounds for the ideal indoor/outdoor event along with its two historical buildings. When open to the public, a beautiful winding path takes you right to a panoramic vista of Biscayne Bay. Take a book and relax at one of the many benches...

  • Perrine Wayside Dog Park is the place to be if you are a dog lover. You’ll enjoy taking Fido for a walk at 164th Street on South Dixie Highway (US-1). This 3-acre spot has a center lake and many fun things for dogs and humans alike. You can converse with fellow dog lovers on the park’s Facebook page.

The Perrine Community House is located on the center "island" between the northbound and southbound US-1. The building, made of Miami oolitic limestone, was constructed in 1935 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) as part of Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal program. The Village has renovated the facility for the community's use. The Perrine House hosts many events, including art exhibits, community meetings, and public events.

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SCHOOLS & LIBRARY

One reason Palmetto Bay is known as one of the best bedroom communities in South Florida is its educational resources and focus.

Public Schools

  • Howard Drive Elementary 7750 SW 136th Street, Palmetto Bay, FL 33158 / 305-235-1412—Located at the northern end of Palmetto Bay, Howard Drive Elementary School has been a staple of great Pre-K through 5th grade education for more than 60 years. It is highly rated, with a student-teacher ratio of 16-to-1. According to state test scores, 67% of students are at least proficient in math and 77% in reading. It has 361 students in grades PK and K-5.

  • Coral Reef Elementary 7955 SW 152nd Street, Palmetto Bay, FL 33157 / 305-234-1464 — Adjacent to Coral Reef Park and services the middle portion of Palmetto Bay households. The school is a K-5 facility. Coral Reef Elementary School is highly rated, with a student-teacher ratio of 16-to-1. According to state test scores, 81% of students are at least proficient in math and 81% in reading. It has 740 students in grades PK and K-5.

  • Dr. Henry E. Perrine Academy of the Arts 8851 SW 168th Street, Palmetto Bay, FL 33157 / 305-235-2442 — Magnet school serving K-5th grade students. Dr. Henry E. Perrine Academy of the Arts School is committed to educating and preparing students for the challenges of tomorrow. Through multiple intelligences, expressive arts, and technology, all stakeholders will facilitate the students' cognitive development and emotional, physical, and social skills while strengthening their pride, respect, integrity, and commitment to excellence. It has 550 students in grades K-5 with a student-teacher ratio of 15-to-1. According to state test scores, 65% of students are at least proficient in math and 65% in reading.

  • Southwood Middle School 16301 SW 80th Ave, Palmetto Bay, FL 33157 / 305-251-5361 — An arts magnet school that endeavors to be a warm, creative learning environment where students will develop the strengths to overcome academic and social challenges. The school has large soccer/football fields and several basketball courts. Located in the Southern half of Palmetto Bay, most households south of 152nd Street are assigned here. It has 1,098 students in grades 6-8, with a student-teacher ratio 22-to-1. According to state test scores, 67% of students are at least proficient in math and 72% in reading.

  • Palmetto Senior High School (is in Pinecrest but services most of Palmetto Bay) 7460 SW 118th Street, Pinecrest, FL 33156 / 305-235-1360 — The school’s mission statement is: We demonstrate academic excellence, personal integrity, civic responsibility, and global awareness. The student-teacher ratio at Miami Palmetto Senior High School is 25:1, with 2719 students enrolled. The school ranks with US News and World Report at #118 of 1,800 schools (Top 0.6%). Jeff Bezos attended Palmetto Senior High School, as did U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.

Private Schools

LIBRARY

The Village gained the 5000-square-foot Palmetto Bay branch of the Miami-Dade Public Library in 2008. On the second floor, there is a rentable event space. You can find out more by calling 305-232-1771 or clicking here for Library Events.

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MEDICAL AND EMERGENCY

Should your child need emergency medical care, Palmetto Bay has a branch of the Miami’s (Nicklaus) Children’s Hospital to provide outpatient services. There are also many highly respected pediatricians throughout Pinecrest. The original offices of Kings Bay Pediatrics has moved to Pinecrest and is where my kids went and got great care.

For nearby hospitals, you can race over to Jackson South Community Hospital just outside Palmetto Bay at 9300 SW 152nd Street or head to Baptist Hospital Of Miami at 8900 SW 88th Street in Kendall.

Many doctors are located in the Baptist Health Medical Building located at 13101 S Dixie Hwy Suite 400, Pinecrest, FL 33156. There are a four urgent care facilities along US-1 for emergency issues. Starting at the north end, there is Concentra Urgent Care at 103rd Street, Nicklaus Children's Pinecrest Urgent Care Center in Suniland North Shopping Center, Baptist Urgent Care in the Suniland South Shopping Center and MD Now Urgent Care at 123rd Street.

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TRANSPORTATION

Palmetto Bay has a free mini-bus service called iBus. It has several stops throughout the Village and runs during the weekdays only. For schedules and information, please see the iBus home page. The Village also has sponsored Freebee service. These are green, on-demand vehicles that pick you up and take you anywhere (door-to-door) within Palmetto Bay, FREE!

Palmetto Bay has made extensive efforts to make significant portions of the Village accessible by bicycle. In conjunction with several other municipalities, you can bike on a dedicated parallel bike path to Old Cutler Road from SW 136th Street to SW 184th Street (the entire length of Palmetto Bay). You can read about lots of area bike paths here.

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SHOPPING

For grocery shopping, it’s hard to beat Publix. Thankfully, Palmetto Bay has a huge Publix located at US-1 and SW 146th Street. It is joined with a CVS pharmacy and a Hallmark store, making this a great one-stop weekly destination. Also in this shopping plaza is Grove Bank & Trust, a great local bank. In 2005-2010, I helped then Coconut Grove Bank to handle all their special asset properties.

All along the US-1 corridor you will find a myriad of great stores to shop. If you are in need of pool supplies or advice, I highly recommend the locally-owned Pinch-A- Penny franchise.

Just north of Palmetto Bay on SW 136th Street is a Home Depot. Like me, I am sure you’ll be spending plenty of time there to fix up your home just right.

The Falls Shopping Center is an open-air strolling mall with about 100 stores. Located just west of US-1 at 136th Street, you can’t miss the large monument sign. Outparcel The Fresh Market allows for alternative grocery shopping to Publix. The mall itself is host to anchors Macy*s and Bloomingdales. Lifetime Gym is a recent addition to the mall. There is also a Regal multiplex movie theater with 12 screens.

The Falls Industrial area consists of warehouses, shops and restaurants and is located between 136th Street and 128th Street just west of US-1. It is best to take the 132nd Street turn off of US-1 to reach this location. Among the offerings is South Dade Electric, several plumbing supply shops, tile and carpet stores and vendors who can provide parts for just about anything. In short, if you are looking for specialty items, you should check here first. You’ll probably find it! I also go to Body Code Gym to keep myself in shape. There are a few other individually-owned gyms operating in the area.

Dadeland Mall is a larger, more mainstream shopping mall located north of Palmetto Bay by about 10 minutes. Best way there is US-1 to the Palmetto Expressway northbound. Exit at 88th Street and you will see the mall to your right.

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DINING

Palmetto Bay certainly has its share of your typical chain restaurants and fast-food spots. As a Palmetto Bay Realtor® I take pride in supporting locally-owned restaurants and supporting those eateries that have added to the fabric of this community. For this reason, below I present my favorites and the contained links are to stories I have done about their contributions to our wonderful Village.

  • Alaine’s Osteria Italian Restaurant 7290 SW 168th St. — Opened in 2016, this is a wonderful restaurant with nearly every family member involved in the restaurant. Gus is the head chef and his wife Marbella runs the front of the restaurant. The food is amazing and the service is impeccable. Don’t miss this gem.

  • Fuddruckers 14875 S Dixie Hwy. — Opened in 2012, this chain is certainly hard to beat for good burgers. The special part about this location is that it is owned by a family from Pinecrest (the town to the north) who takes particular pride in their restaurant’s community involvement. Fun fact: Betty’s Best Burgers (located in nearby Pinecrest) opened as a Fuddruckers in 1984. Once the franchise agreement with Fuddruckers ended, Betty Amos renamed it to Betty’s Best Burger, but the menu and flavors stayed the same as when it was Fuddruckers. Many people lamented the closing in 2011, only to see a rebirth in Palmetto Bay in 2012.

  • Golden Rule Seafood 17505 S Dixie Hwy. — Yes, the owners are friends. An iconic South Florida landmark dating back to 1943, Golden Rule Seafood is a classic seafood market and full-service restaurant specializing in locally-inspired comfort foods. A long-time family-owned and operated business, they offer a vast selection of items fresh-from-the-sea and the friendliest service on land. In the mornings, they are on Biscayne Bay catching the live blue crabs that you’ll find fresh in the market each and every day. They offer a wide range of South Florida’s finest – including stone crabs, snapper, grouper, mackerel, mahi-mahi, and our popular Key West pink shrimp – as well as the best seafood selections from around the world: salmon, lobster, king crab, snow crab, mussels, sea bass, cod, clams, tuna, and delicious Gulf oysters. The casual, dress code-free restaurant comes alive beneath our Grande tiki hut. Dig into buffalo shrimp and Caribbean fried conch, a classic Maine lobster roll, blackened fish tacos, Cajun shrimp & grits – or order our famous stone crabs with a glass of fine wine… all while listening (on some nights) to live local bands!

  • Hole In The Wall Pub & Hole In The Wall Tavern 14421 S Dixie Hwy. & 9821 SW 184th St — If you want to just get some basic grub (burgers and wings) and catch a game with locals who are true fans, either of these location are just as they are advertised, little ‘hole in the wall’ places with plenty of character. I love dressing down and relaxing here!

  • Original Lots of Lox 14995 S Dixie Hwy. — For nearly 50 years, this breakfast and lunch deli-style restaurant has been the place to hear the latest gossip and to bump into the people you want to know. Although it has changed ownership hands in recent years, it remains a community landmark for good food and good people.

  • Samurai: Sushi & Japanese Hibachi Steakhouse 8717 SW 136th St. (just outside Palmetto Bay) — Although owned by Benihana, this restaurant is even better. It is a favorite spot for those celebrating events, as everyone sits around the hibachi table to watch the chefs perform as they cook. Almost all my kids’ birthday celebrations include a dinner here! Get the ‘Rocky’s Choice’ menu item!

  • Sports Grill 9300 SW 152 Street (just outside Palmetto Bay) — Started in 1987 and located inside the Palmetto Golf Course clubhouse, this locally-owned sports bar and grill is owned by someone I’ve known for a long time. They have several locations, but if you want to grab a quick burger, fries and drink, this is a fantastic choice.

  • Steve’s Pizza 18063 S Dixie Hwy, Palmetto Bay, FL 33157 — Serving up authentic New York-style pizza, with huge slices and bold flavor, this is one of my go-to places for great pizza in Miami. The tradition of Steve's Pizza goes back to the 1970s. Also, one of the few places to get pizza by the slice.

Starbucks is in two locations in Palmetto Bay. One is at US-1 and 148th Street. This location features a drive-thru to get you on your way. There is also one off Old Cutler Road at SW 168th Street in a little “town corner” which features two gas stations, dry cleaner and more.

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NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

You don’t need a roller coaster to have fun in the great outdoors here. As a Palmetto Bay real estate agent, I like to go to authentic places to see beautiful things and learn about our local history. Here are some places easy to reach near Palmetto Bay.

  • Black Point Marina 24775 SW 87th Ave, Homestead, FL 33032 — If you have a boat and want to launch to Biscayne Bay, this Cutler Bay spot is a great place to do so. Black Point Marina also has a great Ocean Grill restaurant/bar for a relaxing meal. Sightings of the Florida manatee are common at Black Point Marina. Many manatees are brought to this "Manatee Sanctuary" for release and study. The marina is also very close to Biscayne National Park. Black Point is a starting point for fishing and diving expeditions, especially among locals. The park consists of large picnic pavilions, grills, bikeways, jogging trails and a jetty, which extends 1.5 miles into Biscayne Bay.

  • Deering Estate 16701 SW 72nd Ave, Palmetto Bay, FL 33157 — If you are interested in the early history of Miami, Cutler and the Palmetto Bay area, look no further than the Deering Estate. Charles Deering Estate (also known as Deering Estate at Cutler) was the Florida home of Charles Deering until 1927 when he died at the estate. Deering lived on the 444-acre property for five years, from 1922 to 1927. The property consists of a three-story wooden house built in 1900, known as the Richmond Cottage and a three-story stone mansion. Other buildings were also built on the property to serve as auxiliary buildings to the estate. The grounds include what is thought to be the largest virgin coastal tropical hardwood hammock in the continental United States. Besides hosting events like the annual Seafood Festival, this is a great place to get some culture and stroll the grounds of a unique part of South Florida.

  • Fairchild Tropical Gardens 10901 Old Cutler Rd, Coral Gables, FL 33156 — This is a treasure of South Florida. Fairchild Tropical Gardens is an 83-acre botanic garden with extensive collections of rare tropical plants including palms, cycads, flowering trees, and vines. Fairchild Tropical Gardens has a lot more than just tropical gardens. It is a great social and cultural center as well. Dale Chihuli’s hand-blown glass art graces many areas of the grounds. Don’t miss the butterfly exhibit!

  • Matheson Hammock 9610 Old Cutler Rd, Coral Gables, FL 33156 — A park, beach and marina. The park includes vast stretches of Florida mangroves and hardwood forests, as well as planned green spaces designed by landscape architect William Lyman Phillips. Along with Matheson Hammock Park, Phillips designed Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in 1938. This public park gets you close to the water activities you want. Matheson Hammock has many boat slips, launches, a restaurant (NOMA Beach at Redfish) and a man made beach (really a lagoon-like lake).

  • Monkey Jungle 14805 SW 216th St, Miami, FL 33170 — This is one of the most interesting ‘zoos’ I have ever been to, where essentially you are in the cage and the monkeys roam free! Established in 1933 by Joseph DuMond for the exhibition and study of endangered monkeys in semi-natural habitats after releasing 6 Java Macaques into a subtropical forest, the park is now home to over 300 primates, this attraction is one of the few protected habitats for endangered primates in the United States and the only one that the general public can explore.

  • Pinecrest Gardens 11000 Red Rd, Pinecrest, FL 33156 — Pinecrest Gardens is a lush, botanical garden located in and managed by the Village of Pinecrest dating back to 1936. It is a 14-acre, historic property that originally housed Parrot Jungle, one of the Miami area’s earliest tourist attractions. Pinecrest Gardens is home to numerous cultural events, concerts, art exhibitions, and family-friendly activities. Seasonal celebrations, holiday festivals, and outdoor evenings add to the charm and appeal for locals and tourists alike. A petting zoo offers an opportunity for children and families to interact with various domestic animals. The garden also features playgrounds, a splash zone play area, picnic areas, and open spaces for leisure activities and gatherings.

  • Zoo Miami 12400 SW 152nd St, Miami, FL 33177 — Quite simply, this is a tremendous zoo. Zoo Miami offers discounts to families, a monorail option for getting around and hosts 40 endangered species. Since 1948, the zoo has opened its doors to kids and adults from around the world. It is the fifth-largest zoo in the country. It's home to more than 2,500 animals, including koalas, tigers, and elephants, and over 1,000 species of trees, palms, and other plants. Zoo spokesperson and ambassador Ronald Magill is a friend and a great personality. He makes regular television appearances across local South Florida networks and has won five Emmy Awards for his work on the nature documentary programs.

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GOVERNMENT & SERVICES

VILLAGE HALL

Incorporated in 2002, the Village of Palmetto Bay has their Village Hall located at 9705 East Hibiscus Street, Palmetto Bay, FL 33157. You can reach them at 305-259-1234. You can catch up with Pinecrest’s latest information via their official Village website and their official Facebook and X (Twitter) feeds.

VILLAGE COUNCIL

The Village of Palmetto Bay is governed by a five member Village Council. Three council members are elected to represent specific residential areas (Seats 1, 2 & 3) and must reside in their respective area. A vice mayor and the mayor may reside anywhere in the Village. Village Council elections are non-partisan.

VILLAGE POLICE

Palmetto Bay contracts the Miami-Dade County Police Department (MDPD) for policing services. MDPD Officers assigned to the Village work primarily for Palmetto Bay under an inter-agency (interlocal) agreement. These officers are dedicated to ensuring a safe community and enjoyable place to live.

You can call their administrative office during business hours at 305-278-4000. For emergencies, dial 911. For non-emergency police matters dial 305-4-POLICE.

VILLAGE PERMITTING

You may work with the Village of Palmetto Bay though their permit portal to make sure your home projects stay on track and lawful.

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HISTORY

The Village of Palmetto Bay has history going back to the Native American tribes that inhabited the area. Several historical markers dot the landscape. you can learn more here.

As a Palmetto Bay real estate agent, I'm always happy to share my knowledge of the Village and help you find the perfect home to match your needs and lifestyle. Feel free to reach out if you'd like to learn more about Palmetto Bay and the wonderful homes it has to offer.

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MOVE TO PALMETTO BAY

This custom link will show you currently available properties for sale in Palmetto Bay, FL.

My online resources for getting started in South Florida are unequalled. Working directly with me brings my knowledge impact directly to you. I look forward to talking to you soon and sharing more about everything Palmetto Bay has to offer!

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