Guide To Pembroke Pines 

Pembroke Pines history, food, things to do, schools, community, and real estate 

In between South Beach and Fort Lauderdale lies one of the happiest cities in the country, Pembroke Pines. And it's no surprise why. Pembroke Pines has everything you could want in a city and more. Think of amazing public schools, exceptional restaurants, countless things to do, affordable homes, a city government that really cares about its residents and combine it with a charming small-town feel. That's paradise...I mean Pembroke Pines. 

Pembroke Pines is located in Broward County between two of the hottest cities in South Florida. Living in Pembroke Pines allows you the convenience of living near two major commercial airports — only 18 miles southwest from the Fort Lauderdale Airport and 24 miles northeast of the Miami International Airport— while offering the luxury of life at a slower pace. 

Today, Pembroke Pines is home to around 170,000 residents. A quarter of its population under 18, so it's a family-friendly city. In fact, the city of Pembroke Pines has two public early development centers and its own set of highly-rated charter schools, notorious for their commitment to academic excellence. But that's not all.

In 2004, Pembroke Pines was recognized as an All-American City Finalist for its community programs and civic involvement. And more recently, Pembroke Pines ranked #32 in the top 50 "Best Places to live in 2014" by  Money Magazine. And in the same year, Wallethub named Pembroke Pines as "2014's Best City of Hispanic Entrepreneurs." 

Living in Pembroke Pines, residents have the privilege of an expansive park system made up of 28 parks with various features like outdoor fitness stations, well-groomed walking paths, and recreational fields. Residents can also enjoy the public golf course, tennis complex, and the city's many arts and culture centers like the Fletcher Arts & Culture Center and the Frank.  

Outside of city amenities, there's still much to do in Pembroke Pines. Spend all day canoeing and spot some of South Florida's wildlife. Or check Pembroke Gardens Shops or Pembroke Lakes Mall. You can spend all day shopping and still not see everything. Or grab a bite and take advantage of the best happy hour deals in Pembroke Pines. If nothing else, Pembroke Pines is only a short drive away from some of Florida's most pristine nature and impressive cities. 

This may be your first time ever hearing about Pembroke Pines, but after a drive through the city admiring its palm tree-lined streets, you'll never forget it. To experience what living in Pembroke Pines may feel like, contact the best Pembroke Pines realtors, AV Home Experts with Keller Williams Realty. 

Pembroke Pine's History  

Pembroke Pines is one of Florida's fastest-growing cities 

Pembroke Pines's origins are storied. The city's name can be traced back to Sir Edward J. Reed, a member of the British Parliament for the County of Pembroke. In 1882, Reed bought a huge tract of land that would later become dairy farms and eventually Pembroke Pines. The land that Reed bought would only carry his namesake of Pembroke, until 1960 when Mayor Walter Kipnis suggested that the city be named Pembroke Pines, paying homage to pine trees throughout the area. 

Fast forward to 1943, when a dairy farmer named Henry D. Perry sold 640 acres of his land to the United States Navy to use as a flight training field. Since then, Pembroke Pines has grown to the 10th largest municipality in all of Florida, and it's still growing today. 

In 1950, Broward County acquired the airport and land from the Navy in the midst of the post-WWII population boom. As more and more citizens moved to Florida and expanded their families, there was a need for more highways and interstates. Thus, in 1957, the Florida Turnpike finally snaked its way to the edge of Pembroke Pines. With the additional construction in the following years, the Village of Pembroke Pines steadily grew into the city of Pembroke Pines, becoming incorporated in 1960. Throughout the next few decades, Pembroke Pines would continue to undergo massive developments that have contributed to its spot in the top 40 in Wallethub's "Best Places to Raise a Family."  

In the 1970s, Pembroke Pines began to expand westward. And with this expansion also came the Southwest Focal Point Senior Center, which would be the national prototype for the delivery of senior service in the 1990s. 

In the next decade, the city would double its size. New districts and four more commissioner seats were added into the city's charter, as officials speculated how Pembroke Pines would have to evolve to accommodate more residents in the future.

Following Hurricane Andrew in 1992, Pembroke Pines experienced an increase in its population like it had never seen before. Thousands of Miami-Dade residents moved north and settled into the quaint community. With the new residents came additional development, as Pembroke Pines started to become a major retail center with a variety of shops and restaurants. 

And while Pembroke Pines may get its name from British nobility, it's anything but stuffy. It's a relaxed South Floridian community that reminds you why you wanted to move to Florida in the first place. Many celebrities like notable rapper Kodak Black and former NBA player Kenny Anderson have also found an escape in Pembroke Pines. To find your personal Pembroke Pines paradise, contact the best Pembroke Pines realtors, the AV Home Experts with Keller Williams Realty. 

Top 8 Places To Eat in Pembroke Pines

Pembroke Pines may feel like a small town, but its food scene is anything but provincial. Whether you want Mediterranean, Mexican, Peruvian, Japanese, fine dining, or bar food, Pembroke Pines has you covered. Check out the eight best restaurants in Pembroke Pines.  

1. Sergio’s 

   13620 Pines Blvd. Pembroke Pines, Fla. - (954)-381-7711 

   It’s impossible to live in South Florida and not have a good Cuban restaurant in your city. And Sergio’s fills the task in Pembroke Pines. Its picadillo reminds you of the one your abuela used to make, and its croquetas are unrivaled. It’s a South Floridian dining experience that you won’t forget.  

2. Havana 1957 

   14571 SW 5th St. Pembroke Pines, Fla.  - (754)-210-3499 

   Havana 1957 is another Cuban restaurant, but it’s so good that it’d be criminal to not include it in this list. Havana 1957’s food is equally as authentic and delicious as Sergio’s, but as soon as you walk inside, you’re transported to Havana circa 1957. Go figure, right? Dine on vaca frita de pollo and truffle yuca fries while drinking a pina colada and listening to Celia Cruz for the ultimate Havana 1957 experience. 

3. Brimstone 

   14575 SW 5th St. Pembroke Pines, Fla. - (954)-430-2333 

   The best brunch spot in Pembroke Pines is Brimstone. No discussion. Conveniently located in The Shops at Pembroke Gardens, Brimstone is only steps away from your favorite store. Imagine spending your Sunday drinking unlimited mimosas for $25, eating Brimstone’s famed shrimp and grits, and laughing with your closest friends only to go shopping after. Count me in.

4. Mazza

   15749 Pines Blvd. Pembroke Pines, Florida - Phone: 954-436-9997 

   If you're searching for the best Meditarrean cuisine in Broward County, then look no further. Mazza specializes in authentic Greek and Lebanese dishes ranging from savory chicken shawarma to the best Spanakopita this side of the Atlantic. Drop by on a Friday or Saturday at 8 p.m. to grab a glass of wine...or two and experience Mazza's live belly dancing show.

5. Agave Bandido

   14531 SW 5th St. Pembroke Pines, Fla. - (954)-367-6141

   As soon as you step through the doors of Agave Bandido, you quickly realize that this is not your average Mexican restaurant. Your eyes dart back and forth between the purple fluorescent skull chandelier and the sugar skull mural before finally landing on the wall of tequila and mezcal. You order a $5 happy hour margarita and the barbacoa tacos, and as you take your first bite, you understand that Agave Bandido is your new Taco Tuesday tradition.  

6. The Pub Pembroke Pines

   237 SW 145th Terrace Pembroke Pines, Fla. - (954)-430-4230 

   Fish and Chips? Check. Great selection of beer? Check. Is the classic British bar vibe complete with the Union Jack? Check. The Pub has everything an anglophile or casual beer drinker could want in a neighborhood bar. Plus, it's a local favorite. So, if you're looking for the perfect place to celebrate St. Patrick's Day or just want to grab a pint and enjoy classic English far, visit the Pub. 

7. Level29

   600 SW 145th Terrace Pembroke Pines, Fla. - (954)-374-8204   

   What do telenovelas and Peruvian-Japanese fusion cuisine have in common? The answer is Cuban-American actor William Levy. Levy brought Level29 to the Pembroke Pines community over a year ago, and it has flourished since, becoming a popular hotspot for locals to grab some sake and crab salad tostones. Come to Level29 to experience Hollywood-level ambience and to get a feel of the telenovela lifestyle. For more information about Level29, check out this story by the Sun Sentinel. 

8. Twin Peaks

   440 SW 145th Ave. Pembroke Pines, Fla.  - (754)-400-6990  

   Twin Peaks may be a chain, but don't let that fool you. It's one of Pembroke Pines's hottest places to be on a Friday night. If you don't plan ahead, you could be waiting an hour or more. Complete with rotating drafts of local beer and classic-stuff-your-face bar food, Twin Peaks is the go-to to watch the game or blow off some steam from the week. 

Top 5 Things to Do in Pembroke Pines

Whether you like getting outside and exploring nature or shopping all day, Pembroke Pines has something for you. Check out the top 5 things to do in Pembroke Pines. 

1. Canoe trip at Chapel Trail Nature Preserve

   Connect with nature and spend your day canoeing at Chapel Trail Nature Preserve. Chapel Trail Nature Preserve is one of Pembroke Pines's hidden gems, filled with an array of wildlife. Think 120 species of birds, deer, marsh rabbits, alligators, snakes, turtles, largemouth bass, and insects. You can rent canoes on Saturdays and explore the 450 acres of untouched South Florida wilderness. Or, if you prefer a little more distance from the alligators, you can also walk their 1,650 foot boardwalk and get a bird's eye view from their observation pavilion. For more information about the Chapel Trail Nature Preserve, check out the city's website.

2. Play a round of golf

   If you're looking for somewhere to tee up, Pembroke Pines has a couple options for you to choose from. You can either visit the Grand Palms Resort or check out the city-owned Club Nineteen. Whatever your level, both locations are sure to challenge you. The Grand Palms Resort has three different 9-hole golf courses each with unique features. And Club Nineteen offers an affordable option on a John Sanford Design golf course. 

3. Pines Ice Arena

   12425 Taft St. Pembroke Pines, Florida - (954)-704-8700 

   Just because it doesn't snow in South Florida, doesn't mean that you should miss out on winter fun. Head over to the Pines Ice Arena for all of your ice-skating needs and wants. Pines Ice Arena offers figure and recreational skating lessons as well as hockey lessons. No matter your age, you're sure to enjoy your time at Pines Ice Arena. So maybe go for their public skating hours or join an adult hockey league. 

4. C.B Smith Park

   900 N Flamingo Road Pembroke Pines, Florida - (954)-357-5170 

   C.B Smith Park is arguably the hottest park in all of Broward County. It has endless walking and biking trails, a campground, a family golfing center, a multitude of picnic areas, and an array of playgrounds. C.B. Smith Park also has volleyball, basketball, and tennis courts along with a set of batting cages. And if all of that wasn't enough, C.B. Smith Park also contains a water park with four 50-foot-tall water slides and a lazy river. Yeah, I know where I'm going next weekend. 

5. The Shop at Pembroke Gardens

   If you prefer shopping to waterslides, then Pembroke Pines also has something for you. The Shops at Pembroke Gardens are the one-stop hotspot for everything social in Pembroke Pines. Spend your day browsing through Pembroke Gardens's variety of shops including Lululemon, Nike, Banana Republic, and Hollister. Or check its many dining options. And if you need a break, take a seat on one of the many beautiful benches painted by local artists. 

Other things to do in Pembroke Pines:

One of the great things about Pembroke Pine is that it's close to a lot of great cities and parks. South Beach is only a short drive away, and the Everglades are practically in your backyard. To find out more information about other cities, towns, and things to do in Broward County and Miami-Dade County, check out these other city profiles.

Pembroke Pine’s Education: 

Find the best schools in Pembroke Pines

Google “the best schools in Pembroke Pines,” and I guarantee you that you’ll be overwhelmed. Pembroke Pines is a large area containing over 25 public schools, and picking one can seem like a daunting task. But we have compiled what we have found as the top 3 schools in Pembroke Pines for elementary, middle, and high school. 

Living in Pembroke Pines, residents have the choice of attending Broward County public schools, private schools, or the city of Pembroke Pines’s very own system of nonprofit charter schools.  Additionally, the Broward County public school system has its own set of public charter schools. To find the complete list of public schools in Pembroke Pines, go to the city’s website. 

Pembroke Pines charter schools are on average the highest ranking schools, but the Broward County public school system offers magnet and other innovative programs that prepare students for their chosen career path like their Career Technical Education Program.  

Elementary Schools in Pembroke Pines

The top recommended elementary schools in Pembroke Pines as rated by greatschool.org, niche.com, and the Florida Department of Education’s school accountability report, are Somerset Academy Charter Elementary School, Franklin Academy K-8, and any of the Pembroke Pines Charter Elementary schools like Pembroke Pines Charter East Campus Elementary School, Pembroke Pines Charter Central Campus Elementary School, Pembroke Pines Charter FSU Campus Elementary School, and Pembroke Pines Charter West Campus Elementary School. All of the elementary schools listed were all ranked 10/10 and received an “A” from the Florida Department of Education. So, any one that you choose is sure to be a great choice!  

However, there are slight differences between each that may be a deciding factor in which school is best for your child. 

Franklin Academy K-8 has the largest student body, but it is a combined elementary and middle school. Pembroke Pines Charter Elementary schools are managed by the city of Pembroke Pines. So, depending on where you live, one of these schools may be a better option. And Somerset Academy Charter Elementary School is managed by the Broward County public school system.  

In terms of standardized testing, Franklin Academy K-8 outperformed its counterparts in science. Pembroke Pines Charter Elementary Schools had consistently higher standardized test scores in English and math as a whole. And while Somerset Academy Charter Elementary School doesn’t take any superlatives in test scores, it performs well above the state average in every subject. Like I mentioned before, choosing between these schools may be difficult, but at least you know that your kid will get a great education whatever your choice may be.   

Middle Schools in Pembroke Pines

Moving on to middle school, the top recommended middle schools in Pembroke Pines are all a part of the same “families” as the elementary schools previously mentioned. We compiled our top 3 from as ratings, reports, and testimonies by greatschool.org,  niche.com, and the Florida Department of Education’s school accountability report. And once again, we have Franklin Academy K-8, Pembroke Pines Charter Middle School, and Somerset Academy Middle School. But this time greatschools.org ranks Franklin Academy K-8 as first, Pembroke Pines Charter Middle School as second, and Somerset Academy Middle School as third. However, keep in mind that the data collected for Franklin Academy K-8 includes both the elementary and middle school. 

Like their elementary counterparts, you can’t go wrong with any of these middle schools. They all received an “A” from the Florida Department of Education for their academic achievement. 

One Pembroke Pines Charter Middle School student stated, “I love this school! It provides me with a variety of clubs and activities...The food is great and the school is tidy and clean!” And a Somerset Academy Middle School parent noted that the teachers pushed their students to succeed and grow both and outside of the classroom.  

High Schools in Pembroke Pines

Rounding out at high school, the top recommended high schools in Pembroke Pines as rated by greatschool.org, niche.com, and the Florida Department of Education’s school accountability report, are Pembroke Pines Charter High School, Somerset Charter High School, Somerset Arts Conservatory, and West Broward High School. No surprise here, but three of the listed schools continue the legacy of their junior schools. 

All are great choices, each having earned the College Success Award for their efforts in preparing students for college and later career and an “A” rating by the Florida Department of Education. Yet Pembroke Pines Charter High School ranks the highest for its variety of AP classes, extracurriculars, and outstanding teachers. Somerset Arts Conservatory comes in close second.  

Somerset Arts Conservatory and Somerset Charter High School are technically the same school, residing in the same building. But the Somerset Arts Conservatory follows a different curriculum, focusing more on the arts while Somerset Charter High School is renowned for its AP, AP Capstone, and Cambridge programs. Also note that the Somerset High School system is recognized as a blue ribbon school by the United States Department of Education for its programs in dance, drama, music, art. 

West Broward High School may not be as decorated as its counterparts, but it does on average receive more satisfied reviews from parents and students. One West Broward High School parent raved, “West Broward High is a fantastic school that provides students at all levels an opportunity to be successful. The school has a rigorous curriculum with more than the typical number of AP courses available, taught by faculty who are well versed in their subject... The CTE courses tracks are grounded in solid academic preparation and get students ready for advanced study...Our children are well prepared having attended WBHS.”

For more information about each of these schools’ COVID-19 protocols, check out the Broward County public school website or the Pembroke Pines Charter School website. Also, visit greatschool.orgorniche.com for additional parent testimonials and to explore Pembroke Pines schools in more depth. And to see how the criteria for Florida Department of Education ratings, go to their website.

Get Involved in Pemrboke Pines 

Learn more about the Pembroke Pines Community

The best way to become more involved in any community is to first learn more about the community. And Pembroke Pines is no exception. The municipality of Pembroke Pines is governed by the Pembroke Pines City Commission, comprised of one mayor and four elected city commissioners.  

The mayor and commissioners serve four year terms. Each of the commissioners represent a different geographic district. Commissioner terms are staggered, with two commissioner seats being up for election every two years. The next Pembroke Pines municipal election will occur in 2022, with district seat 1 and 4 being up for election. 

The current Pembroke Pines mayor Frank C. Ortis has lived in Miami Lakes for nearly 44 years. Ortis has a long history of serving Pembroke Pines residents. He first started out his political career in 1996 as a city commissioner. After serving two terms as city commissioner, Ortis ran for mayor in 2004 and was elected. Since 2004, Ortis has served as Pembroke Pines's only mayor, being reelected in 2008, 2012, 2016, and finally in 2020. This will be Ortis's fifth term, so it's safe to say that Ortis is popular among residents.  

Aside from having 24 years of experience serving Pembroke Pines as an elected official, Ortis is also very involved in the community, serving on a multitude of boards and committees such as the Board of the Broward and Florida League of Cities; Chair of the United States Conference of Mayors Committee on Jobs, Education and the Workforce; and the USCM Vice Chair for Sports and Recreation, Tourism, Arts, Parks, Entertainment and Sports. Ortis has also been honored for his contributions to the city, being named the winner of E. Harris Drew Municipal Official Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013 and the Cities of Excellence "Mayor of the Year" by the Florida League of Cities in 2012.   

For more information about Ortis or any of the other city commissioners, check out the city's website for their full biographies and contact information. To see the schedule for upcoming commission meetings and to attend check out the city's website for the calendar and the meeting link.  

To get more involved in the Pembroke Pines community, attend commission meetings and frequently contact the commission members to stay informed about upcoming issues for discussion at the next meeting. As a resident, you have the right to speak at commission meetings if you register by sending your name, email address, mailing address, and phone number to publiccomments@ppines.com.  

Or if you want a more hands-on approach to getting involved, take one of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) certification classes that the fire department and the police department host several times a year. You could also volunteer at the Pembroke Pines Animal Assistance Program. And to volunteer at the City of Pembroke Pines Recreation and Cultural Arts Department, call (954)-392-2116. 

Pembroke Pines Real Estate

Find the best Pembroke Pines realtor near you

If you're interested in making Pembroke Pines your new home or want to know a little more about the area, don't stress. We have you covered. Not only are the AV Home Experts with Keller Williams Realty the best Pembroke Pines realtors, but they can provide the inside scoop on everything Pembroke Pines. For more information about Pembroke Pines or houses for sale in Pembroke Pines, call (305)-680-3268 or check out their Facebook.  

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