Day trip to Daytona Beach
 

Left at 10 AM, got to the beach by lunchtime. Nice walk, beautiful weather. Red flags out. Big waves. Ate at Sloppy Joe’s.

Sounds like a nice day out. I prefer the gulf side, but that’s just me.

How did you go, did you take 42 from Summerfield all the way to I-4 or did you take 441 to Mt Dora area and then to 44 to I-4. Last time I went to the east coast, I took 441 to 44 to New Smyrna Beach and took an hour + 45 minutes. Looks like 42 straight across would be quicker and less traffic.

where is the closest beach that is dog friendly?

The closest of any kind would be Pine Island State Park at the end of Hwy 50 at Spring Hill in Hernando County. I checked and it's service dogs only.

Parks | Hernando County, FL

These are in Pasco and Pinellas Counties that do allow dogs. New Port Richey would be the closest.

Top 10 Best Off Leash Dog Beaches in New Port Richey, FL - Last Updated January 2021 - Yelp

I found the best route imo to Daytona via going into Ormond Beach is rt42 to 19n to 445A to 40east. Nice ride through the forest.

This is how our GPS took us this morning. After our lunch we drove about a mile down A1A to International Blvd. When we turned on the GPS to come home we were routed I-95 to I-4, then Hwy 44 through Deland. Hwy 42 and Hwy 44 meet just west of Deland. We took Hwy 42 all the way back to The Villages. I would say both routes were about the same in time. I agree the first route through the Ocala National Forest is much more scenic.

Did you ride with Bjeanj ???


:shocked:

Yep! We are kind of joined at the hip for the last 47 years (or so)...

It’s 48 years, dear.

:1rotfl:

Thank you for writing something nice, hard to explain but was somehow nice to read someone did such a normal thing was just calming these days when we see few in the neighborhood, many never outside, if you take a walk people don't say "hi" like they used to and many times will get off the sidewalk and go far into the street... which, I understand, I do not wear a mask on my daily long walks and I tried and just can't do it, walks were a chore and not longer pleasant, so walk without a mask and understand when people cross the street completely, or walk far in the street if no cars, and then come back on sidewalk when I am far past, etc. It is just all so sad, once such a happy friendly place and fear now rules. Thank you for sharing a nice, "normal" thing.:icon_wink:

That's the route the big bus company here always took when they took groups to Daytona and the really nice beach and facilities near Ormand. Yes, nice ride through the forest, good road, and it must be the best way as a bus company certainly would know !

yes...I agree....

.. PLUS if you stay on 40 East......
......you will be ON the BEACH
YOU CAN PARK on THE BEACH.. OR DRIVE THE BEACH.

If you have a handicap permit.....you wont even have to pay
the daily fee to bring car on beach.

YUP THAT ONE...where the ORIGIONAL
Daytona RACES were held way back when.....
( the Museum is there on the N.E. Corner.)

In My Humble Opinion....... THIS ORMAND BEACH area is
way, way nicer than Daytona Beach.
For MANY Reasons..

INCLUDING the INDOOR toilets at the gate.
Changing Rooms and outdoor shower to get the sand off.

OH ....forgot to add that they also have Life Guard Towers right there also

Pic of the beach.