Clarence S. Higgs Memorial Beach is, in my opinion, the second best beach in Key West, after Smathers Beach.  This white-sand beach stretches for about a third of a mile along Atlantic Blvd (A1A) between the White Street Pier and Reynolds Avenue. The western 1,000 feet is where the action is.

With all this beach has to offer, it is very popular but it exemplifies the laid-back Key West attitude. This palm-lined beach features:

• Salute! Ristorante on the Beach (a beach restaurant)
• Volleyball nets
• A small pier
• Shallow-water swimming
• Beach equipment rental
• Free parking
• Lots of coconut palms (think hammock)
• Covered picnic tables and pavilions
• Restrooms
• Proximity to Duval Street

Also at Higgs Beach is the Key West Garden Club. If you'd like to get out of the sun for a while and take a walk through the gardens, it is a beautiful diversion. Of course, Key West itself is a garden of tropical trees and foliage.