Closest beach
 

Ponce Inlet -- if you are going to the Daytona Beach area.

Ponce Inlet is a little south of Daytona Beach. There is a nice beach area, a lighthouse, a park and a stone jetty. It is across the inlet from New Symrna Beach and you can drive to New Symrna Beach after spending time at Ponce Inlet. Walking the jetty is fun.

If you go to New Symrna Beach, there is an area where there are little shops, restaurants and like Daytona Beach, you can drive on the beach.

(Ponce deLeon Lighthouse and Lighthouse Point County Park)It is a very pleasant day trip.

Have a fun day at the beach, whichever one you choose!

Thanks!!
 

Wow! Great suggestions everyone. Thank you all so much. We've been to Daytona Beach often and Clearwater/St. Pete some, but I'm excited to try the ones we haven't been to yet!! Woo Hoo!!

beach
 

The beach in Tarpon Springs is wonderful. There are areas for dogs, areas for windsurfers, shady areas and sunny areas. Lots of parking, picnic tables scattered throughout the park too. Almost always a nice breeze too. Great for biking in that area too. The Pinellas bike trail goes through the town of Tarpon Springs, you can go all the way to clearwater on the trail. Great greek food, shops and even have a boat that takes you out a little where they stop and you get to see a real old fashion diver go down to get sponges. it's a very fun day . Enjoy!

Fort Desoto Park gorgeous beach....2 hours 20min away.

walking
 

Out of all the beaches listed above, tell me the ones where you can/cannot take a long walk. Thanks.

St. Augustine Beach. Drive on it if you want. Nice pier with entertainment. Restaurants. Ampitheater for occasional shows. 7 miles to Old Town St. Aug. New tourist attractions.

New Smyrna is the closes...1 hr and 20 min.....get there about 10...free parking right near the beach, a little shopping area and restaurant Boston Fish House is not far...5 min ...great fried clams! Take 42 to 44 e all the way.

Anyone know of a quaint little beach town between Daytona and Ormond Beach? Heard it was a well kept secret.

The only town I know of that's between Daytona and Ormond is Holly Hill.

Bill :)

Beach
 

Ormond beach is very nice, and it's closer than the other atlantic beaches. Just go over sr 40. Also, honeymoon island state park (north of tampa), near palm harbor is great and you can take the ferry over to caladesi island.

Closest Beach
 

California Girl is talking about the Citrus County Park, it's sits on the south side of the Crystal River, you can see the power plant on the other side. The public beach has modern bathrooms and changing facilities. Driving to this beach is thru a area that will give you an idea what the wetlands looked like before any development. The closest Atlantic Beach is New Smyrna. Try Chase's on the beach. You can google either one.
Jeff

:024:

Agree with you, New Smyrna is better, but hard sand.
 

Agree with New Smyrna. Hard sand, but small town atmosphere.