San Pedro Boulevard – Is it all it’s cracked up to be?

Impressive new boulevard bridge

Since it’s opening in December 2014 I had been promising to visit the new Boulevard in San Pedro which I’d heard so many great things about. I finally made the arrangements to meet a good friend Wendy and her son Oliver there along with my daughter Rosie.

I made the 30 minute drive from La Cala de Mijas on a warm and sunny Friday afternoon to meet them.  As I wasn’t sure how to get to it I met her a little way before and followed her to the boulevard, I needn’t have bothered as it’s so easy to get to.

What’s Great

It’s very long and wide, 55,000 sqm with 6 parks, literally there is a different play park every 100 metres or so. Rosie and her friend Oliver loved tearing up and down on their bikes dumping them at each park to go and explore with Wendy and I catching up each time.

The new cafes which line the boulevard are modern, immaculately clean and are child friendly.  They overlook the boulevard so you could sit and enjoy a cool drink or a bit to eat whilst watching the kids play.

One of the new Boulevard cafe’s

The bridge spanning above the boulevard is a real head-turner and is cleverly designed so that it crosses over a busy roundabout below, from the top of the bridge you can see down to the beach which is about a 5 minute walk.

One end of the bridge heads straight into the park with a huge lighthouse play area complete with a zip wire and too many other things to mention.

With an amphitheater, skate park, wide paths for walking or cycling and several really nice cafes, there’s something for every age group here.

The boulevard is still very new and is in pristine condition and is so pleasing to the eye with its many water features and use of different materials.

The whole area is patrolled by what looked like boulevard type security people, I’m not sure of their main purpose and whether they offer medical assistance if needed.

Either way, reassuring as a parent to see ‘officials’ in some capacity keeping an eye on things.

Modern architecture

What’s Not So Great

The only criticism I have is that at the opposite end of the lighthouse park, the boulevard seems to come to an abrupt end. As we walked the length of it in the distance I could see that it stops at what looked like a very busy 2 lane roundabout.

Boulevard ending at a large roundabout with no barriers

There are no barriers here so if you have young children on bikes be aware that if they are going too fast they could easily end up in the middle of the road.

I hope that in time they see the potential danger and put some barriers up to prevent accidents happening because other than that I really can’t pick fault with this place.

Lighthouse play park

Refreshments

After a couple of hours we were all in need of a cool drink and the kids were pestering us for ice-cream so we headed in the direction of town which can be seen from the boulevard, just look out for the NH hotel and head up towards it.  We ventured down a side street and Wendy took us to a well known little health food cafe Tomate Freshco.

I ordered the zinger juice, all natural ingredients carrot, ginger and orange and for just €3.50, Wendy a water and the kids enjoyed a scoop of vanilla ice-cream at an outdoor table under some much needed shade.

The service was great and although we didn’t eat, I had a peak at the menu and what I liked most is that everything is made fresh, healthy and was very reasonable starting at just over €5.50 for a salad.

How to Get There

The boulevard is actually built on top of the new tunnel which was built to divert traffic from the A7 motorway under the town of San Pedro.

Coming from direction Fuengirola on the A7, take the exit for Rhonda, at the roundabout take the last exit and stay in the right hand lane following signs for San Pedro Centre. As you approach, the boulevard will be on your left side where there is ample free parking.

Summary

With the huge improvements to the road system and the new boulevard, San Pedro finally has its own identity and is no longer overshadowed by its neighbouring Marbella.  In the last few years San Pedro has really gone upmarket and is fast becoming a place recognised for great restaurants, great beaches and of course excellent play areas for kids.

We had such a nice evening that my husband and I took Rosie back that same weekend and we spent a lovely family Sunday together exploring the town a little further and having a bite to eat.

For my husbands birthday this weekend we’ve booked a child free night in the NH hotel and plan to celebrate with a nice romantic meal and a fair few cocktails so watch this space for the review of San Pedro by night.

Have you been to San pedro Boulevard? I’d love to know what you thought of it, let me know in the comments section below…