Walking into Coral Gables gated neighborhoods? (Miami, Miami Beach: gated community, drivers license, beach)

[jr8999]

I like to take multi mile walks daily and discover new areas while doing so. I've often wondered what the gated communities are actually like beyond the gates in the southern end of Coral Gables. I understand the purpose of gated communities is that you're not allowed to drive past the guard gate unless you have a good reason to enter. I've seen YouTube video walking tours where the poster just walked past the guard gate on Star Island and a few other "private" islands over in that area of Miami Beach. Is there a way to just take a walk in the neighborhoods of Cocoplum, Old Cutler Bay etc.? I know it's most likely not possible but thought I'd ask anyway.

[City Guy997S]

Originally Posted by jr8999

I like to take multi mile walks daily and discover new areas while doing so. I've often wondered what the gated communities are actually like beyond the gates in the southern end of Coral Gables. I understand the purpose of gated communities is that you're not allowed to drive past the guard gate unless you have a good reason to enter. I've seen YouTube video walking tours where the poster just walked past the guard gate on Star Island and a few other "private" islands over in that area of Miami Beach. Is there a way to just take a walk in the neighborhoods of Cocoplum, Old Cutler Bay etc.? I know it's most likely not possible but thought I'd ask anyway.

Star Island is 100% public......they cannot stop you even in your car. The guard is a visual deterrent but the roads are not private roads and you are allowed in 24/7.

Some of the gated communities like Sunrise Place/Ct are gated but again you can walk/drive right in. Usually if you can see it on google maps street view then it is a public road/street.

You should dress nice, walk towards the place like you own it and maybe wave to the $12 an hour guard and I'd bet you walk right in. If you get refused, then oh well that one is a real gated community.

[elchevere]

I was permitted to drive (not sure about walking) into Cocoplum and Gables Estates, no questions or issues when I pulled up to the gate. Might have helped that I had a very nice car. Maybe just say you are considering looking at a property or neighborhood and be willing to offer the security guard your drivers license or ID?? Alternatively, just act like you belong and say nothing unless stopped.

Tahiti Beach was off limits and I was stopped at their guarded gate—must be a resident.

[zorinlynx]

I'm a cyclist, my favorite trick to explore gated communities and similar areas is to just bike in at a decent speed, ignore the guard gate and keep going. If someone yells "Heyyyy!" at you, pretend you didn't hear them and keep going. They've never tried to chase me down, and if someone does I can just claim ignorance that I didn't hear them.

Usually I've explored the whole neighborhood and zipped back out within a few minutes; no one has ever said anything to me on the way out as they probably realized I was just a harmless cyclist.

Of course if they get upset you probably don't want to go back through there again, but whatever. I don't think anyone really cares that much unless you're causing trouble.