Good ocean beach for simple day trip?

[maybe]

Anyone know where is the closest ocean beach where one can simply drive to, park within a 1/2 mile of, and use without beach tags? No need for boardwalk, carnival rides, etc.!

Thanks!

[MikeV]

Daytona Beach is about 1.5 hours and you can park right on the beach for $5 a day.

[cattywampus]

Anyone know where is the closest ocean beach where one can simply drive to, park within a 1/2 mile of, and use without beach tags? No need for boardwalk, carnival rides, etc.!

Thanks!

ORMOND BEACH, Quiet and Peaceful.
A1A ( n Atlantic ) @ Highway 40 ( Granada Blvd.)

1 Hour and 45 Minutes from Villages..
You can drive to and park on the beach.
This is as far North of Daytona as you can go and still drive
to parking on beach.

Just minutes from shopping and food.

This Section is away from the:cus: crazies and barf and circus :eek:atmosphere of
Downtown Daytona Bch.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Clearwater Beach is the best that I've been to since I've been here. It's aboyt 15-20 further than Daytona but it's worth it.

[BritParrothead]

We like Reddington Beach, north of Clearwater. Outdoor showers and W.C's Can not remember coat of parking, but reasonable.

[Walter123]

Daytona Beach is about 1.5 hours and you can park right on the beach for $5 a day.

And.....you can get a quick bite there too!

[MikeV]

OP asked for Ocean Beaches which is why I didn't mention Clearwater or Reddington since they are on the bay side.

[maybe]

Thanks everyone. Ormond sounds the best so far, although I think I'd prefer a place with parking off the beach --- maybe better for the car, and no cars driving by you on the sand. I am looking for an ocean beach, not a gulf beach, but thanks for those posts anyway. Is there such a thing as a state or national park on a beach in Daytona vicinity, such as New Jersey has?

[Sable99]

Thanks everyone. Ormond sounds the best so far, although I think I'd prefer a place with parking off the beach --- maybe better for the car, and no cars driving by you on the sand. I am looking for an ocean beach, not a gulf beach, but thanks for those posts anyway. Is there such a thing as a state or national park on a beach in Daytona vicinity, such as New Jersey has?

Mom and I used to own a condo on St. Augustine Beach. I can't tell you how many cars we saw that got stuck on the beach!

St. Augustine Beach is great!! But, I would go for more than a day because of the Old City and the Outlet Malls. They also have a lot of great restaurants both on the beach and in the Old City.

[baustgen]

New Smyrna beach has a parking lot on Flagler but it fills up early. There is a street that parallels the beach going north that has parking and walk in access. It is about 90 minutes away. We like to watch the activity and park on the beach. Entry on Flagler. There is a lot of traffic. The sand is hard packed and doesn't blow much.

[Gulfhills]

I always go to New Smyrna Beach when the grandkids come. Love to park on the beach near the lifeguard and the shower. Then afterwards we have to stop at the French bakery on 44 I think called Mon Delice.

[NoMoSno]

South of New Smynra:

Canaveral National Seashore

Directions - Canaveral National Seashore (U.S. National Park Service) (http://www.nps.gov/cana/planyourvisit/directions.htm)

[dotti105]

Clearwater beach was voted best beach in Fla by USA today last year!

Lots of parking. Lovely beach. Much prettier than most Atlantic beaches. Reddington Beach is SOUTH of Clearwater. The barrier islands all connect from Clearwater beach going south to Bellaire Beach, Sand Key, Treasure Island, Reddington and St Pete beach.

Be sure you have fresh grouper at "Frenchy's"! Yum! Nothing better!!

One hour fifteen minutes from Brownwood!

You will love it!

[smcgirl]

I always have the most difficult time deciding between Clearwater Beaches and Atlantic Beaches..Both are equally beautiful. I have always had a special place in my heart for the ocean.

[cattywampus]

Mom and I used to own a condo on St. Augustine Beach.

I can't tell you how many cars we saw that got STUCK on the beach!

St. Augustine Beach is great!! But, I would go for more than a day because of the Old City and the Outlet Malls. They also have a lot of great restaurants both on the beach and in the Old City.

Sand at St Augustine if much different than sand at Ormond Beach.

ALWAYS take TWO >> 3 to 5 gallon buckets with you .

Simply dunk buckets to fill with water and put the water on the sand in
front of direction you wants your tires to go.

Most wrecker services have you PAY in Advance so you don't feel bad when
they wet the sand for you and then simply have you drive away.

It is NOT easy to get stuck on Ormond Beach Sand.
VERY EASY to walk on Ormond Beach.

Remember, before the Speedway was built, this is the Northeast turn where the Original Beach Races were held .
There is a Park at A1A and Granada (40) to commemorate the Beach Races.
You can park in the shopping center across the street to access the Park and Beach, if you do not wish to park on beach.
( East end of lot , East of Starbucks)

Ormond Beach has clearly marked traffic lanes.

[cattywampus]

Thanks everyone. Ormond sounds the best so far, although

I think I'd prefer a place with parking off the beach --

- maybe better for the car, and no cars driving by you on the sand. I am looking for an ocean beach, not a gulf beach, but thanks for those posts anyway. Is there such a thing as a state or national park on a beach in Daytona vicinity, such as New Jersey has?

There is OFF Beach Parking, Across the street.( Across A1A / Atlantic Ave )

There are VERY few cars driving on this section of the Beach.

The heavy traffic starts about a mile south of this area and
continues South to Downtown Daytona Beach.
Traffic South

[Indydealmaker]

Thanks everyone. Ormond sounds the best so far, although I think I'd prefer a place with parking off the beach --- maybe better for the car, and no cars driving by you on the sand. I am looking for an ocean beach, not a gulf beach, but thanks for those posts anyway. Is there such a thing as a state or national park on a beach in Daytona vicinity, such as New Jersey has?

Florida beaches are very different than New Jersey beaches. We do not have any Wise Guy Burial Beaches here. :1rotfl:

[dotti105]

I will admit I'm a bit biased toward Clearwater Beach because my hubby and I both grew up living on Clearwater Beach. My Mom is still there. It has changed dramatically, but still the finest sand and the sunsets are incredible!!

We are fortunate in TV to have so many great day trips available!

Enjoy!!

[CFrance]

We prefer that there be no cars on the beach. Cocoa Beach doesn't have them on the beach.

[kittygilchrist]

Thanks everyone. Ormond sounds the best so far, although I think I'd prefer a place with parking off the beach --- maybe better for the car, and no cars driving by you on the sand. I am looking for an ocean beach, not a gulf beach, but thanks for those posts anyway. Is there such a thing as a state or national park on a beach in Daytona vicinity, such as New Jersey has?

Welcome to Florida State Parks (http://www.floridastateparks.org/thingstodo/activities.cfm?activity=2)
Beach parks...

[Medtrans]

Definitely Clearwater beach. Feels like the Carribbean. Can't wait until we are there full-time to take advantage of these beach trips. I already have a plan. Pack a cooler in the car, go to Clearwater beach for the day, and then stop at Costco, as there is one in Clearwater, before heading home. Maybe once a month. Now that's a Costco trip.

[CFrance]

Welcome to Florida State Parks (http://www.floridastateparks.org/thingstodo/activities.cfm?activity=2)
Beach parks...
Excellent info, Kitty. Bookmarked! OP stated he wants the ocean, not the Gulf, and if you click on Beaches on this site, each entry tells you what part of the state the park is in. Obviously, you can tell whether you're looking at ocean or not.

Pictures too.:eclipsee_gold_cup:

[Indy-Guy]

We go to the gulf side at Fred Howard Park in Tarpon Springs. The beach is about a mile out a causeway in the gulf and is like being on an island. We enjoy the beach and like the fact that there is not the traffic congestion that you get in any other areas.

If you go be sure and use a GPS to get there as you have to drive through neighborhood roads to get there and it is not easy to find and that is perhaps why it is seldom crowded. Nothing commercial around so take your food and drinks. Very nice beach which is easy on the tenderfoot.

Also after the beach the sponge docks at Tarpon Springs can be interesting.

Links below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnzPTBj4m6g

Pinellas County, Florida, Park & Conservation Resources - Fred Howard Park (http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/06_howard.htm)


https://www.google.com/search?q=fred+howard+park&rlz=1C2FDUM_enUS491US491&biw=1576&bih=725&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=yaodVJe4G4PAggTm2ICgBQ&ved=0CEIQsAQ

[Vladimir]

Maybe...we loved the NJ beaches (Ocean City, Cape May, etc). The closest I found to that experience is Cocoa Beach, specifically Alan Shepard Park. Great waves, clear water and nice sand, gentle ocean sloap, easy parking (nominal fee), showers, and places to buy food. The best thing is that it is mostly highway driving directly into Cocoa Beach (1 hour 40 minutes) without the maddening local roads through towns and lights. Fred Howard park is nice if you want a secluded area but it has lots of sea weed.

[CFrance]

Maybe...we loved the NJ beaches (Ocean City, Cape May, etc). The closest I found to that experience is Cocoa Beach, specifically Alan Shepard Park. Great waves, clear water and nice sand, gentle ocean sloap, easy parking (nominal fee), showers, and places to buy food. The best thing is that it is mostly highway driving directly into Cocoa Beach (1 hour 40 minutes) without the maddening local roads through towns and lights. Fred Howard park is nice if you want a secluded area but it has lots of sea weed.
I totally agree with you. We spent summer vacations at Ocean City, Md., and Delaware beaches (Rehobeth, etc.). Big waves, nice sand. Cocoa comes the very close to that.

[Dreamer61]

Excellent info, Kitty. Bookmarked! OP stated he wants the ocean, not the Gulf, and if you click on Beaches on this site, each entry tells you what part of the state the park is in. Obviously, you can tell whether you're looking at ocean or not.

Pictures too.:eclipsee_gold_cup:

Where would you find beaches "on this site"?? Exactly.

[CFrance]

Where would you find beaches "on this site"?? Exactly.
When you click on the link in Kitty's post above, it opens in the Beach site. Scroll down, and you will see the beaches listed.