Florida has approximately 2,000 miles of tidalÊshoreline, about 650 miles of which are true, high-energyÊbeaches. The interior of the state, especially the peninsular north, has many sinkholes, lakes, and springs.
The Gulf beaches of northwest Florida are wide with sparkling white sand. The beaches of southeastern Florida (the GoldÊCoast) frequently appear on television, not only to advertise Florida, but as background for many other advertisement campaigns. Many of the state's best coastal properties were already privately owned before 1950, but in recent decades the state has begun to purchase beaches for public recreation.
To the surfer, Florida cannot compare with either California or Hawaii. Unlike the Pacific Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean seldom generate large waves, sought so avidly by the surfer. Nonetheless, the state's surfers regard the coastline from West Palm Beach to Jacksonville as either excellent or above average for surfing. They often rush to the beach at the approach of a tropicalÊdepression, or even a hurricane, since they know that the unusually high winds will produce large waves.
Florida's springs, notably White Springs on the Suwannee River, Green Cove Springs on the St. Johns River, and Silver Springs, attracted tourists before the Civil War. The state's springs are particularly appealing to local residents, who enjoy swimming in the clear and cool water. Scuba divers explore the springs, even entering underwater caverns. Weeki Wachee Springs, Silver Springs, and Homosassa Springs have been commercialized. The state's many lakes are used for both swimming and fishing.
