Fun Facts about Vero Beach, Florida

Known as the “Hamptons of the South,” Vero Beach has the fourth highest concentration of wealthy households in the country, with 14% of its residents being millionaires.

Vero Beach has 26 miles of beaches, cultural gems like the Vero Beach Museum of Art and Riverside Theatre, world-class golf, polo, numerous boutiques, and restaurants along Ocean Drive, and a laid-back vibe that feels like "the Hamptons without the hype”.

This charming Treasure Coast destination in Florida (pop. approx. 18,000)  boasts a rich history, and a relaxed, small-town atmosphere.

Here are some fun and interesting facts about Vero Beach:

• Birthplace of Wildlife Refuges: Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1903 by President Theodore Roosevelt, was the first National Wildlife Refuge in the U.S..

• Dodgertown Roots: Vero Beach was the longtime spring training home of the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers from 1948 to 2008. The facility, now known as The Jackie Robinson Training Complex, was the first racially integrated spring training site in the South.

• "Where the Tropics Begin": Because it sits around 65 miles north of West Palm Beach, the city is nicknamed the "Gateway to the Tropics" or "Where the Tropics Begin".

• The Name "Vero" Means Truth: Settled in the late 1800s, the town was named by Sarah Gifford, wife of founder Henry T. Gifford, using the Latin word "veritas" (meaning "truth").

• The Treasure Coast Connection: The city is part of the "Treasure Coast," named after the 1715 Spanish fleet that sank off the coast during a hurricane. Treasure hunters still search the area for artifacts today.

• McKee Botanical Garden: Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this 18-acre garden features native plants, water lilies, and famous tropical architecture.

• The Windsor Club just to the north and Disney’s Vero Beach Resort just to the south have tunnels beneath the A1A highway that will take you to the beach. 

• Disney's Vero Beach Resort, one of Disney's few luxury resorts outside its theme parks, is located in Vero Beach and features an oceanfront setting.

• Citrus Capital: Founded on agriculture, Vero Beach is a major center for Indian River citrus, particularly grapefruit.

• Historic Driftwood Resort: The historic hotel on the beach was built from materials washed ashore or salvaged from local shipwrecks.

• Artistic Flair: The city is home to the Vero Beach Museum of Art and the Riverside Theatre, which is Florida's largest professional not-for-profit theater. 

• The "Four-Story" Rule: Unlike many Florida cities filled with high-rises, Vero Beach has a long-standing policy that no building can exceed four stories, helping it maintain a quaint, "small-city" character.

• The Bank Tunnel: In 1958, a local bank built a secret tunnel under 20th Street so employees could move money between buildings without violating Florida's motor-banking laws at the time.

  Famous Residents/Visitors: 

o Megan Fox: Actress with ties to the Treasure Coast area.

o

The city has ties to Survivor winner Parvati Shallow, 

o Gloria & Emilio Estefan famous singer-songwriter from the Miami Sound Machine Group, 

o Jake Owen Country singer-songwriter born and raised in Vero Beach.

o Sandy Koufax: MLB Hall of Fame pitcher who has lived in the area for decades.

o Khalil Mack: NFL star who purchased a home in Vero Beach in 2014.

o Dan Bakkedahl: Actor/comedian known for Veep and The Goldbergs.

Frequent Visitors & Past Residents:

o Steve-O: Comedian is known to frequent local spots like the Riverside Cafe.

o Tommy Lasorda: Former Dodger manager who visited.

o Mike Tyson

o Michael Jordan (who owns a nearby golf course)

o Doug Flutie.