[Luv2travel]

We are fairly new to TV and wanted to know your recommendations for a nice day-trip to the ocean beaches. Which ones are most attractive, without a lot of crazyness (on the quiet side). Your suggestions would all be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Luv2travel

We are fairly new to TV and wanted to know your recommendations for a nice day-trip to the ocean beaches. Which ones are most attractive, without a lot of crazyness (on the quiet side). Your suggestions would all be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Did a search on beaches, here are your answers.
Day Trip to the Beach

[YodaMom]

Palm Coast, on the east coast of Florida, is one hour 45 minutes. The ride over is a pleasant country ride rather than the busy highways. We own a condo in Palm Coast and are very familiar with the beaches there.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by YodaMom

Palm Coast, on the east coast of Florida, is one hour 45 minutes. The ride over is a pleasant country ride rather than the busy highways. We own a condo in Palm Coast and are very familiar with the beaches there.

Is New Smyrna Beach on Palm Coast? We thought that was a lovely beach and pretty area and nice restaurants.

Catch 44 near Nancy Lopez and go east until it turns into 42. Takes you right to New Smyrna. About an hour and a half. You go through Deland. There are lovely old homes on the main drag there. It looks like some large industry or business was there at one time, maybe in the '30s. Or it just could have been an early hot spot for northerners to buy. Anyone know?

I found this interesting stuff about Deland in Wikipedia... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deland,_Florida

[Boudicca]

Head for Daytona, but take a left (north) and head a few miles to Ormond. Lovely beach, no crowds - free parking, bathrooms/shower and refreshment building. Enjoy

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Is New Smyrna Beach on Palm Coast? .....

gg, New Smyrna Beach is the better part of an hour south of the city of Palm Coast.

Bill

[gongoozler]

New Smyrna Beach is the number one beach for shark bites in the United States and one of the top in the world! I love a few restaurants over there but would not be my first choice for swimming!

[LindaManson]

My favorite beach is Clearwater. Actually Indain Rock Beach. Itis a small twon between Tampa/St Pete and Clearwater.

the link to their public beaches is
http://www.indian-rocks-beach.com/park_locations.php

Nice beaches and no high rise hotels, so not as crowded. HTere are some public parking places nestled in between the residences, check to be sure it is not permit parking. Then there are large public parking lots beachside. That is where we head when we want to walk the beach, then have dinner at Guppies on the Beach. Awesome.

Also on Sand Key (north from Indian Rock toward Clearwater Beach, there is a public park with bathrooms and lots of sand.
http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/15_sand_key.htm

To get to either of these areas follow I-75 to I-275 toward Tampa. then follow it thru to be beach, follow the signs to Indian rock, or put the address of Indian Rock Beach into your GPS/. You will avoid the chaos of Clearwater beach and have a much more pleasant experience.

[YodaMom]

New Symrna is very crowded and yes, about an hour south of Daytona. Palm Coast or Flagler Beach isn't. If you go north on A1A to St. Augustine from Palm Coast, there are beautiful uncrowded beaches. It is a beautiful ride.

[chuckinca]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Is New Smyrna Beach on Palm Coast? We thought that was a lovely beach and pretty area and nice restaurants.

Catch 44 near Nancy Lopez and go east until it turns into 42. Takes you right to New Smyrna. About an hour and a half. You go through Deland. There are lovely old homes on the main drag there. It looks like some large industry or business was there at one time, maybe in the '30s. Or it just could have been an early hot spot for northerners to buy. Anyone know?

I found this interesting stuff about Deland in Wikipedia... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deland,_Florida

Take 42 (East) near Nancy Lopez (at the North end of Buena Vista); until it dead ends at 44 (about 40 minutes from TV); turn left onto 44, go thru Deland and take it to the ocean.

Deland is home to Stetson University whose sports team are called "The Hatters".


.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by gongoozler

New Smyrna Beach is the number one beach for shark bites in the United States and one of the top in the world! I love a few restaurants over there but would not be my first choice for swimming!

omg. We let our very beloved grandson swim there. omg.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

omg. We let our very beloved grandson swim there. omg.

Yep, New Smyrna Beach is certainly not the safest place to be in the water. Google "new smyrna beach shark bites" (drop the quotation marks) for some eye-openers!

Bill

[BaylorBear]

Originally Posted by gongoozler

New Smyrna Beach is the number one beach for shark bites in the United States and one of the top in the world! I love a few restaurants over there but would not be my first choice for swimming!

I never swim anywhere that I am not at the top of the food chain!! That's my rule and I'm sticking to it!