Is South Sunshine Park safe?
Hollywood, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates South Sunshine Park as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on South Sunshine Park
“Go with care. South Sunshine Park is primarily a working-class residential enclave bordered by busy commercial thoroughfares, offering modest local conveniences rather than tourist attractions. Daytime visits are generally uneventful, but standard situational awareness is advised along the outer corridors after dark.”
About the area
South Sunshine Park is a compact, predominantly residential neighborhood situated in southern Hollywood, Florida, near the Hallandale Beach border. Characterized by modest mid-century single-family homes, duplexes, and small apartment complexes, it is largely functional and car-oriented. Visitors typically pass through or stop at the independent retail and food spots along adjacent Pembroke Road and US-1.
- Quiet Residential
- Working-Class
- Car-Dependent
- Suburban Grid
Walking and biking in South Sunshine Park
Walk score: 58/100 · Bike score: 55/100
There are no dedicated bike-share stations in the immediate neighborhood, and interior streets lack protected bike lanes, though flat terrain allows basic neighborhood riding.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Lower violent crime rates compared to higher-density commercial strips in central Hollywood
- Close vehicular proximity to US-1, I-95, and Hollywood Beach amenities
- Stable residential core with a high share of established long-term residents
Cons
- Elevated property crime and opportunistic vehicle break-ins along border corridors
- Pockets of lower median household income and aging rental infrastructure
- Limited street lighting and pedestrian infrastructure on interior residential side streets
Homelessness: Homelessness is minimal within the interior residential blocks but is occasionally visible along the commercial perimeter of Pembroke Road and nearby transit stops.
What South Sunshine Park is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with locals commuting and taking morning walks along neighborhood sidewalks.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm residential atmosphere with standard traffic flow along the perimeter roadways.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet in the interior streets, though activity and occasional loitering pick up around perimeter commercial plazas.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Generally dark and deserted; pedestrian travel on foot is not recommended due to low visibility and sparse foot traffic.
Transit, parking and getting around
Broward County Transit (BCT) operates local bus routes along Pembroke Road (Route 5) and US-1 (Route 1). The nearest rail station is the Hollywood Tri-Rail Station, located approximately two miles northwest.
Free residential street parking and private driveway parking dominate the interior streets, while commercial plazas along Pembroke Road offer ample free surface lot parking.
Things to do in South Sunshine Park
- Explore authentic Caribbean and Latin American bakeries and casual eateries along Pembroke Road
- Take a short five-minute drive east to the shops and gaming at The Big Easy Casino
- Visit nearby Sunset Golf Course and local neighborhood pocket parks for recreation
Local favorites
- Tropical Oasis Restaurant · Caribbean Restaurant · 4.3★ (210)Unassuming strip-mall staple serving hearty Haitian and Caribbean platters.
- Manny's Bakery & Cafe · Bakery · 4.5★ (185)Local corner bakery offering fresh Latin pastries, espresso, and breakfast sandwiches.
- Flanigan's Seafood Bar and Grill · Seafood & Grill · 4.5★ (4350)South Florida institution nearby on Hallandale Beach Blvd known for ribs and seafood.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.