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Daytona Beach, Florida

Well, what can I say about Daytona Beach? I suppose I could say it has something for everyone, but really it just has too much of everything. Daytona is Orlando's beach, perhaps I could even say it is where Central Florida goes to the beach. Daytona packs a lot into a fairly short stretch of beach. Lots of shops selling souvenirs, T-shirts, and plenty of bars and restaurants, but not a lot of what you'd call fine dining. Especially around the pier, Daytona has a carnival atmosphere. What's really different from the Gulf Coast beaches is that if you want to go to the beach here in Daytona, you almost have to park ON THE BEACH. There are very few access points that have off-beach parking. I found this annoying because the last time I visited I was driving my fiancé's car and I didn't want to drive it onto the beach. Of course if you are staying in a hotel, beach parking is not an issue. Parking and driving on Daytona Beach requires that you find a beach access, called a "ramp" that is open. Since the width and firmness of the beach changes on a daily basis and with the tides, not all ramps are open every day. Signs indicate which ramps are currently open. Daytona beach is lined with large hotels. If you don't like that, then you won't like Daytona and you should go further south to Ponce Inlet or to Canaveral Seashore. Daytona does have several very nice beach accesses with FREE off-beach parking. The Sun Splash access is the one I photographed, as noted in the photos below.
 
 

weekend on Daytona Beach

 Daytona Beach is a classic beach scene. Sand, surf, umbrellas, lifeguards, snack bar food, surfing, boogie boarding, cars cruising the beach, bikes, picnics, fishing. It's all here.

This and the next 5 photos were taken at the Sun Splash beach access on Daytona Beach.
Below is the Volusia County daily report on beach conditions, including beach driving, surf conditions, water temp, and lots of other excellent information. Use the scroll bar to scroll down the page of the Volusia County site and check out todays beach conditions. Here's a link to the site: http://volusia.org/beach/driving.htm if viewing it the frame below isn't comfortable for you.
 
 
Daytona Beach sandbar at low tide The surf was small on this late August day on Daytona Beach. The tide is going out and the sand bar is exposed.
vendors and snacks on Daytona Beach If there is anything you need to buy, like food or beach supplies, you don't even have to leave the sand.
sun splash park beach access, Daytona Beach This is the Sun Splash beach access, complete with water fountains for kids to play in, dolphin sculptures to make you look up, and restrooms.
dolphin fish sculptures on Daytona Beach Dolphin fish sculptures. Who says there isn't any culture on Daytona Beach?
parking cars on Daytona Beach Cars and people share the beach. Every once in a while someone gets run over by a vehicle. Be careful.
wide Daytona Beach at low tide Just south of Daytona Beach is Daytona Shores. Same beach, same giant hotels.
Relaxing on Daytona Shores beaches Daytona Shores is a bit less crowded than Daytona beach.

 

driving on Daytona Beach at low tide Nothing like taking the big rig for a drive on the wide beaches of Daytona Beach. A bike and a kayak are more my style, but to each his own.

Copyright 2006 David McRee, BeachHunter.net | Daytona Beach photos and information