Boca Raton Inlet and Lake Boca
A thriving coastal city on the South Florida Atlantic coast with a population of approximately 100,000 residents, Boca Raton exudes a welcoming community atmosphere while providing a range of amenities catering to diverse preferences.
History: Settled c. 1895, you'll hear a lot about the influences of architect Addison Mizner in Boca Raton. Two men you won't hear much about are Capt. Thomas Moore Rickards Sr. and Clarence Geist, although the city owes both men nearly as much as it does Mizner.
Rickards, the city's first settler, gave Boca Raton its name – after the section of the city's inlet known in the early part of this century as Lake Boca Raton, or “mouth of the rat” in Spanish.
And Geist, who bought the famous Boca Raton Resort & Club from Mizner in 1929, gave the city its signature color when he painted the hotel pink to mimic the perfect sunset. The Boca Resort & Club is still a key landmark, its bright pink 26-story tower rising high above the southern part of the city.
Beaches and Outdoor Recreation: Boca Raton's location along the Atlantic Ocean offers residents easy access to pristine sandy beaches. For avid swimmers, sunbathers, or water sports enthusiasts alike, the city's approx. 5 miles of coastline provides an ideal backdrop for relaxation and recreation.
The town features an extensive network of navigable canals, spanning around 45 miles, which provide ocean access for boating enthusiasts and contribute to the city's picturesque waterfront.
Red Reef Park and Gumbo Limbo Nature Center showcase the region's unique marine life and offer opportunities for hiking, bird-watching, and exploring coastal ecosystems.
Real Estate: The city's real estate market boasts a wide array of options, including upscale waterfront condos, Mediterranean-style estates, or gated communities. With a median home value of approximately $450,000, Boca Raton's real estate landscape appeals to those seeking luxurious living with ocean views or convenient access to golf courses and country clubs. Single-family home selling prices range from $350,000 to $20 million or more (closed sales, Q1+Q2 2023). Condominium prices vary between approx. $85,000 to $9 million (closed sales, Q1+Q2 2023).
Cultural Attractions and Entertainment: The town embraces a rich cultural scene. The Boca Raton Museum of Art features an impressive collection of visual arts, while Mizner Park offers a blend of high-end shops, dining establishments, and cultural events. The salmon-colored pedestrian mall, first very controversial and conceived as a cultural and retail park to spur downtown development, has lots of high-end shopping, the International Museum of Cartoon Art and the city amphitheater, home to many free concerts.
The city's commitment to education is highlighted by Lynn University and Florida Atlantic University (FAU), a renowned institution that contributes to the academic and cultural fabric of the community.
In addition, Boca Raton is home to a diverse culinary scene with numerous restaurants
Family-Friendly Environment: Boca Raton's safe and family-friendly environment makes it an attractive destination for families. The town is known for its parks. In fact, a special taxing district that stretches outside the city limits to western Boca Raton levies an assessment to acquire and improve parkland. The newest is the Hillsboro El Rio Park, a 14-acre waterfront site along El Rio Canal which opened in 2021. The Gumbo Limbo Environmental Complex offers educational experiences centered around marine life and conservation.
Lifestyle: With its tropical climate, Boca Raton affords residents year-round outdoor activities, encouraging an active and vibrant lifestyle. Annual events like the Boca Raton Bowl, the Boat Parade or concerts in the amphitheatre, many of them free, add to the sense of community and entertainment.
The city's crime rate is low, but increasing traffic through constant infill building is becoming a gripe among residents, as more condominiums and apartments are being built, while popular Boca Raton Municipal Airport (KBCT, general aviation only), scheduled for an upgrade, is also becoming busier.
___
"City Profile: Boca Raton" by Tobias Kaiser, CC BY-NC-N
History: Settled c. 1895, you'll hear a lot about the influences of architect Addison Mizner in Boca Raton. Two men you won't hear much about are Capt. Thomas Moore Rickards Sr. and Clarence Geist, although the city owes both men nearly as much as it does Mizner.
Rickards, the city's first settler, gave Boca Raton its name – after the section of the city's inlet known in the early part of this century as Lake Boca Raton, or “mouth of the rat” in Spanish.
And Geist, who bought the famous Boca Raton Resort & Club from Mizner in 1929, gave the city its signature color when he painted the hotel pink to mimic the perfect sunset. The Boca Resort & Club is still a key landmark, its bright pink 26-story tower rising high above the southern part of the city.
Beaches and Outdoor Recreation: Boca Raton's location along the Atlantic Ocean offers residents easy access to pristine sandy beaches. For avid swimmers, sunbathers, or water sports enthusiasts alike, the city's approx. 5 miles of coastline provides an ideal backdrop for relaxation and recreation.
The town features an extensive network of navigable canals, spanning around 45 miles, which provide ocean access for boating enthusiasts and contribute to the city's picturesque waterfront.
Red Reef Park and Gumbo Limbo Nature Center showcase the region's unique marine life and offer opportunities for hiking, bird-watching, and exploring coastal ecosystems.
Real Estate: The city's real estate market boasts a wide array of options, including upscale waterfront condos, Mediterranean-style estates, or gated communities. With a median home value of approximately $450,000, Boca Raton's real estate landscape appeals to those seeking luxurious living with ocean views or convenient access to golf courses and country clubs. Single-family home selling prices range from $350,000 to $20 million or more (closed sales, Q1+Q2 2023). Condominium prices vary between approx. $85,000 to $9 million (closed sales, Q1+Q2 2023).
Cultural Attractions and Entertainment: The town embraces a rich cultural scene. The Boca Raton Museum of Art features an impressive collection of visual arts, while Mizner Park offers a blend of high-end shops, dining establishments, and cultural events. The salmon-colored pedestrian mall, first very controversial and conceived as a cultural and retail park to spur downtown development, has lots of high-end shopping, the International Museum of Cartoon Art and the city amphitheater, home to many free concerts.
The city's commitment to education is highlighted by Lynn University and Florida Atlantic University (FAU), a renowned institution that contributes to the academic and cultural fabric of the community.
In addition, Boca Raton is home to a diverse culinary scene with numerous restaurants
Family-Friendly Environment: Boca Raton's safe and family-friendly environment makes it an attractive destination for families. The town is known for its parks. In fact, a special taxing district that stretches outside the city limits to western Boca Raton levies an assessment to acquire and improve parkland. The newest is the Hillsboro El Rio Park, a 14-acre waterfront site along El Rio Canal which opened in 2021. The Gumbo Limbo Environmental Complex offers educational experiences centered around marine life and conservation.
Lifestyle: With its tropical climate, Boca Raton affords residents year-round outdoor activities, encouraging an active and vibrant lifestyle. Annual events like the Boca Raton Bowl, the Boat Parade or concerts in the amphitheatre, many of them free, add to the sense of community and entertainment.
The city's crime rate is low, but increasing traffic through constant infill building is becoming a gripe among residents, as more condominiums and apartments are being built, while popular Boca Raton Municipal Airport (KBCT, general aviation only), scheduled for an upgrade, is also becoming busier.
___
"City Profile: Boca Raton" by Tobias Kaiser, CC BY-NC-N
