El Cid Neighborhood Walk, West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach is lovely because of its historical buildings. To see some of the homes from the 1920s and their Spanish and Mediterranean architecture, take a stroll in the El Cid neighborhood (see directions below). Here you will feel happy as you walk along palm-lined streets taking in the tropical flowers and the pretty details of the homes. There are gothic windows and all kinds of fun architecture. My favorite street is Westminster Rd with its long row of coconut trees, tall hedges, and pink hibiscus flowers.

This walk takes the side streets, zig zagging between the intracoastal waterway (Flagler Dr which becomes Washington Rd) in the east and oak-tree lined Olive Ave (also called Federal Hwy) in the west. Start in the south at Roosevelt Place and then zig zag north until you've seen all the side streets, ending at Barcelona Rd. Return to your original location via Flagler Drive, enjoying the amazing views of the water. The side streets you will cover are: Roosevelt Place/Marlbourough Rd (go on Vincent Rd to connect these), Rugby Rd/ Royal Palm Rd (there is a salmon pink house with amazing banyan trees here), Westminster Rd, Avila Rd, Monceaux Rd, Dyer Rd, Almeria Rd, Belmonte Rd, Pershing Way, Sunset Rd, Valencia Rd, Granada Rd, Cordova Rd, and finally Barcelona Rd where Ann Norton Gardens is located. This walk is four miles long!
After your walk, relax a while at small George S. Petty Park and enjoy the views of the intracoastal waterway. There is a playground and a white sandy beach with a tree that provides shade for you while you enjoy the breeze off the water.
While in the area, check out the tropical paradise (interspersed with large ominous sculptures) that is the Ann Norton Sculpture Garden. You must pay to visit this garden.
After your walk, have a coffee at Common Grounds, in the Casa Mara apartment complex. It is so nice in there! The seats are soft so you can stay a while. There are big windows with sunlight coming in. They have great tea in glass teapots, and chocolate croissants. And there are lots of young people from Palm Beach Atlantic University on the weekend. The music is also good. 

Directions

The El Cid neighborhood is along the intracoastal, south of downtown West Palm Beach. George Petty Park is one of the places you can search for to find it. 
Exit Highway 95 at Okeechobee Blvd and head toward the ocean. Enjoy the views at you cross over the water. After 1.8 miles, turn right on Flagler Dr and follow it along the water. After 1.5 miles, it becomes Washington Rd. Park your car along the road on one of the side streets near Roosevelt Place and walk around the historical neighborhood!
Common Grounds Brew, 3065 S Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach, FL 33405. Open daily 7am-7pm.

Click on map for interactive view