Winter at the Beach — A Month in Hollywood, Florida - Jan 2024

January 2024 was the perfect escape — a full month in Hollywood, Florida with my sister Lisa, my brother Chris, and my sister-in-law Suz. We all stayed at Sonder | The Circ. The Sonder properties are a big favorite of my Brother and he has stayed in several all around the world. It turned out to be one of the best choices we’ve ever made for a long-term stay. It had everything: modern apartments, great amenities, and a location that made it easy to slip into a sunlit daily routine.

Every morning we walked across the street to Farmers Milk, the sweetest little bakery and café for breakfast — the kind of familiar ritual that makes a place feel like home. Then I would hop on my bike, which I rented for the month, and set out for my favorite part of the whole trip: daily bike rides. I rode everywhere — through downtown Hollywood and especially along the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk, a breezy, oceanfront path full of walkers, bikers, cafés, palm trees, and open sky. Those rides became my meditation, my exercise, my freedom.

Farmers Milk Cafe gave me a daily temptation.

The Circ itself made life easy. There was a supermarket attached to the building, so we could take the elevator down, grab what we needed, and come right back up. Our apartment had a large balcony, and we spent so many evenings out there talking, relaxing, or just watching Florida life unfold below us. The building also had its own bars, restaurants, and a rooftop pool, which meant we could enjoy nightlife or a sunset swim without ever leaving home base.

We had a wonderfully social month, spending time with Joe and Mary, Janet and her ex Steve (and his new wife Connie), and Debra and Tony. We shared dinners throughout downtown Hollywood — especially at our favorite Thai and Mexican restaurants — and many nights ended with laughter, storytelling, and easy walks home through warm evening air.

One of the highlights was spending the day with Joe at his condo community. He toured us through the village in his golf cart, hopping from pool to pool, visiting restaurants, and exploring the neighborhood. It felt playful and effortless — the kind of day that could only happen in Florida.

We also took a day trip to Fort Lauderdale, wandering along the waterfront before boarding a canal boat tour. Drifting past mansions, yachts, and the lush, intricate waterways felt like discovering another side of the city — beautiful, leisurely, and full of character.

More than anything, this month was healing for me. Back home, I was in the middle of an overwhelming home construction project. Being able to step away — to bike, to laugh, to be social and active, to reconnect with family — became exactly the reset I needed. It wasn’t just a winter escape. It was a reminder that sunshine, movement, and human connection can restore parts of ourselves we forget we’re even losing.

Hollywood has become one of our “familiar places,” and this month was a reminder of why. It felt like community, routine, adventure, and rest — all at once.