Jensen Beach, Florida

Next to the Indian River, just south and east of Port St. Lucie on Florida’s southeastern coast (the “Treasure Coast”), unassuming Jensen Beach was the “Pineapple Capital of the World” in the late-1800s. These days it is known for its low key way of life, beautiful beach, sea turtles, and very good fishing. It also has a sizeable “snowbird” population.

Mostly cute and quaint with palm trees and flowering plants, Jensen Beach has a mix of older, pastel-colored bungalows and ranch ramblers, and new, gated developments with Mediterraneans.

The downtown area along tree-lined Jensen Beach Boulevard is busy with traffic and has colorful shops, boat storage facilities, beach bars and eateries serving jambalaya, shrimp creole, fried oysters and the like.

Hutchinson Island, just across the river via a causeway, is home to Jensen Sea Turtle Beach, a wide, oceanfront stretch of sand with amenities and lifeguards. Sections of the beach are roped off to keep overly curious humans away from three species of nesting sea turtles.

Residents enjoy two golf courses, a large indoor shopping mall, a Publix grocery, a farmers’ market, movie theaters and more. The annual downtown Arts and Crafts Show and Pineapple Festival draw large crowds.