[cattywampus]

Originally Posted by 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?

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]

Originally Posted by 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?

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

[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]

Originally Posted by 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?

Welcome to Florida State Parks
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]

Originally Posted by kittygilchrist

Welcome to Florida State Parks
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.

[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


https://www.google.com/search?q=fred...Q&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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by CFrance

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.

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

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Dreamer61

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.