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I'm judging waterfronts only by the cities I've been to in the list which are
New York
Toronto
San Francisco
Vancouver
San Diego
Seattle
Honolulu
I voted for Vancouver since the whole downtown waterfront, from Canada Place to Science World is accessible waterfront with a seawall for pedestrians and bikes. The seawall then continues through other neighbourhoods for a total 22 K's. Even after it technically ends, you have a beach level bike path connecting you to Jericho Beach through to the end of Spanish Banks Beaches.
The sheer length of it makes it stand out, as well as the different views of city, ocean and mountains.
We may not being getting a lot of hits but this is absolutely one of the best posts I have seen on city data. These beautiful pictures really make these cities look like desirable locations to live. I especially like the ones with all the boats! The recreation and beauty of water is so evident. Thank you for posting these pictures!
Miami/Miami Beach by far. Water/Coastal Views/Water based activities is what that area does, and it does it better than anywhere in the US. Its pleasing to the eye year round. You've got skyscrapers on the water, you've got massive estates on the water along with beautiful intra-coastal canals. The other choices have great waterfronts, but Miami is in another league imo.
Last edited by jdaelectro; 06-18-2016 at 07:02 PM..
Miami/Miami Beach by far. Water/Coastal Views/Water based activities is what that area does, and it does it better than anywhere in the US. Its pleasing to the eye year round. You've got skyscrapers on the water, you've got massive estates on the water along with beautiful intra-coastal canals. The other choices have great waterfronts, but Miami is in another league imo.
Maybe it's just me but I don't see it. Miami and Miami beach are mostly just walls of condos blocking almost all access to the waterfront areas, I see very little connection to the waterfront for the general public or in planning and development for the area. Beautiful beaches to be sure once you get there, but there are so many private areas it just doesn't have a largess public access or a feeling of the city really embracing the shoreline with a consistent well thought out plan of urban design on a waterfront- there just are not enough public places or plazas connecting to the water there. You've got a few; Bayfront Park, and I guess a couple of other areas, but they seem to be after thoughts. Big developers for condos seem to win out over all else
Looks good from a distance and yet half the time you have no idea you are next to water for a good bit of the time you are there a block away from it.
So many of these other cities here have grand urban spaces right on the water front, even if that water may not be as welcoming to get in and experience as it is in south Florida.
Maybe it's just me but I don't see it. Miami and Miami beach are mostly just walls of condos blocking almost all access to the waterfront areas, I see very little connection to the waterfront for the general public or in planning and development for the area.
Yes I see what you mean. These people obviously had a hard time gaining access to the waterfront.
These people also had to struggle to make a "Public" connection
Public access in just Dade alone, is vast.
The same can be said for both Broward and Palm Beach.
Should probably add Montreal as the entire city is located on an island, surrounded by water on the vast St. Lawrence River, dotted with ports and river-front promenades:
New York is the odd city out in the poll as it's clearly at the bottom of the cities listed, imo.
I like Boston, San Francisco, San Diego, Honolulu and Vancouver with Vancouver being the best.
If you asked this say 15 years ago, I would have included Miami Beach near the top. However, slowly but surly it's turning into one long wall of condos and hotels right along the beach and that's taking away from it.
What? I have lived in Miami Beach for exactly the last 15 years and the public access to the water has IMPROVED, not degraded. The beautiful and extensive beach and bay walk has linked MidBeach to SouthBeach all the way to South Point where the city has put in a fantastic public park at Government Cut to complement Lummus park at the center of the Art Deco District on Ocean Drive. South Point Park now links the Beach Walk to the Bay Walk on the west side. Even the South Point Pier has been rebuilt. The Bay Walk is now filling in the gaps on the West side of South Beach so that residents and visitors will eventually be able to nearly encircle South Beach entirely by foot or by bike along the water.
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