The Treasure Coast – a stretch of Florida’s East Coast which includes Vero Beach, Fort Pierce and Port St. Lucie – is one of Florida’s most pristine, least developed stretches of coastline. Taking its name from legendary pirate ships that sank off the coast of Florida, dumping their treasures into the Atlantic, today the Treasure Coast is home to some of best surfing and fishing in Florida. The beaches are virtually unspoiled, and with the exception of a few areas populated by small resorts and hotels, most are secluded, with undeveloped beach access.

Vero Beach is the largest city in this area, with part of the city residing on North Hutchinson Island and the rest on the mainland. Referred to variously as the ‘Central Gemstone of the Treasure Coast’ and the ‘Gateway to the Tropics’, Vero Beach has won acclaim from Rating Guide to Cities as the best small town in Florida, and also as one of the 100 best art towns in the United States. The Center for the Arts, Florida’s largest art museum/teaching facility, the Vero Beach Museum of Art, and Riverside Theatre, the only professional Equity theater on the Treasure Coast, are all located in Vero Beach.

The laid-back atmosphere of Vero Beach extends to its natural environment – visitors to the area will find no Disney style mega-attractions anywhere. Beach access areas are well maintained and family friendly, with playgrounds and picnic tables. Vero Beach is also home to the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, the first federal bird reservation in the United States, dedicated to the protection and preservation of the uniquely charming birds. Another natural attraction is the McKee Botanical Garden, which underwent a recent restoration in 2001 and is home to a variety of colorful, exotic subtropical flowers including lotus, hibiscus and lilies. Vero Beach is also home to the Environmental Learning Center, a private, non-profit organization dedicated to educating both kids and adults about the natural environment.

South of Vero Beach lies Fort Pierce, a town which is divided into three main parts. The North Beach section of Fort Pierce, on North Huntington Island, is mostly undeveloped, with a state park at Fort Pierce Inlet that is popular among surfers and anglers. The second part consists of the downtown area on the mainland, with a recently redeveloped harbor front district that is home to several restaurants, galleries, street festivals and a manatee attraction. The third and final section of Fort Pierce is at the northernmost point of North Huntington Island, where visitors can check out museums dedicated to the area’s history of citrus farming or see the aquariums at St Lucie County Marine Center,