Since our daughter started elementary school a few years ago, spring break has become an increasingly valuable chance to get away, spend quality family time, and soak up some much-needed warm weather. Last year’s trip to Cape Canaveral checked all the boxes, and while we nearly repeated it this year, we decided to explore a new part of Florida—South Florida—and we’re so glad we did. If you’re looking for a family-friendly spring break spot or just dreaming about next year’s getaway, here’s a recap of our trip to Pompano Beach and the surrounding towns.
Where We Went
Our main priority was guaranteed beach weather, so South Florida was the obvious choice for early April. Last year we spent a lot of time driving, so this year we decided to fly for the first time with both kids and our dog. A couple of airlines fly direct to Fort Lauderdale from our home airport in Richmond, VA, and because we remembered the area fondly from past visits, anything within a short drive of Fort Lauderdale felt ideal.
We actually stayed north of Fort Lauderdale in Pompano Beach and spent time in nearby Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Lighthouse Point, and Deerfield Beach, so we didn’t really explore Fort Lauderdale itself. The short flight felt manageable with two young kids, and the trip went even better than we hoped.
We flew a budget carrier and found the fare significantly cheaper than other options, even after factoring in extras. Our chihuahua, Burger, flew with us without incident—he’s a seasoned traveler and handled the trip well. Bringing a dog along meant planning for a rental car large enough for luggage, car seats, and beach gear, so we reserved a minivan. We brought our own car seats in case the rental didn’t provide them, and the airline allowed us to check strollers and car seats for free, which was a helpful perk.
Where We Stayed: A Private Rental
After last year’s hotel alternative, we again opted to rent an entire house rather than stay in a hotel. Renting a detached home gave us privacy and space for the kids to roam and for the dog to play. We searched pet-friendly listings on popular vacation platforms and found a lovely single-family rental in Pompano Beach with a private pool. The pool made the stay feel like a real retreat, and the kids spent hours splashing while Burger enjoyed full access to the yard.
The house was comfortable and kid-friendly—furnished simply and practically, which is perfect when you’re traveling with young children. The listing noted that the beach was within walking distance, but in reality it was a short drive away. That small tradeoff didn’t bother us because parking at nearby beaches was easy and affordable. We loved the quieter neighborhood feel: the rental sat on Terra Mar Island in the Intracoastal Waterway, surrounded by foliage that made the property feel private and secluded, yet it was close to shops and restaurants.
The yard was enclosed and lush, and the pool area felt private thanks to thick foliage. We spent several days choosing the pool over the beach because lounging and playing there felt so relaxing. The owners provided beach chairs, towels, and a beach cart, but not beach toys. A previous guest had left a few toys and floats, which we appreciated, and we bought a few extras locally and left them behind for future renters.
What We Did: Beach, Pool, and Relax
This trip was intentionally low-key. We prefer slow, relaxed vacations where kids can play for hours, so our routine was simple: beach, pool, eat, nap, repeat. The nearby Lauderdale-By-The-Sea beach was charming, only five minutes away, with easy parking, a pleasant stretch of sand, and calm enough water for the kids to play safely. It rarely felt crowded, and we were able to stake out a comfortable spot to build sandcastles and splash in the surf.
One afternoon we drove to the Hollywood Beach Boardwalk for a change of scenery, but a thunderstorm arrived as we got there and sent us back to the rental. By that evening the rain had passed and the kids were back in the pool. All in all, the simplicity of long hours by the water and easy family meals made this one of our best trips.
Where We Ate: Tasty Meals With Great Views
We breakfasts at home to save time and money, then ate out for lunch and dinner. Locals and friends shared excellent recommendations on social media that helped shape our dining choices. Our first dinner was at Beach House in Pompano Beach, a breezy open-air spot right by the water. The setting was perfect for families, with woven lanterns and ocean breezes, and both of us enjoyed our meals—one of us loved a ceviche while the other couldn’t stop raving about a salad.
One memorable evening we took a free short boat ride to Cap’s Place in Lighthouse Point. The restaurant sits on an old barge and has a colorful history; the boat shuttle and waterfront setting made the meal a fun experience even if the food wasn’t our favorite of the trip. We also enjoyed dining at The Nauti Dawg Marina Cafe nearby, where the kids loved watching the boats dock while we ate along the water.
Another favorite spot was the Ocean Grill & Tiki Bar at the Beachcomber Resort, where we ate under a large tiki hut with an ocean view. Many local restaurants offered kid-friendly menus and casual atmospheres, which made dining with little ones easy and relaxed. We also had casual lunches at neighborhood spots serving burgers, sandwiches, and beach fare.
A fun and unexpected find was Bean & Barnacle, a gelato and coffee spot whose name gave us a nostalgic chuckle. The interior was cheerful and the gelato hit the spot after a day on the sand. Little discoveries like that added charm to the trip and gave the kids something to look forward to between swims.
We’ve been home for more than a week and everyone keeps wishing we were still in Florida. The trip was one of the best family vacations we’ve taken: low stress, kid-friendly, and full of water time. If you’re planning a spring break or family beach trip, consider Pompano Beach, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Lighthouse Point, and Deerfield Beach for a relaxed vacation with easy access to the ocean and plenty of family-friendly dining.
For more travel inspiration, here are some of our past vacation posts:
- Our Anniversary Trip To Puerto Rico
- A Summer Vacation To Destin, Florida
- Hawaii Part 1: How We Saved Money
- Hawaii Part 2: What We Did