The beach at Daytona Beach !!!

Posted in Europe, Florida, France

I moved for university and later living in the Daytona Beach (OBS) area of Florida home of car/moto racing! And the rest is as they said , history!!! road warrior is me , the freedom of the road! And what more that here you can even drive on the beach ! A superbe experience we enjoyed over the years even in my last visit in 2009, I lived in Florida a total of 18 years not counting the 4 of university studies which was fiscally base in New Jersey, I have said many things, but little on an important element of the City,the beaches ! Therefore, here is my take on the beach at Daytona Beach !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I,

By the 1920s, Daytona Beach was dubbed the “World’s Most Famous Beach.” As more and more racing took place, the sandy beaches gave way to the development of the famous racetrack known as the Daytona International Speedway (see post). The beach at Daytona Beach is accessible and free for pedestrians and bicyclists 24 hours a day, depending on tides and weather conditions. Driving and parking on the beach is open to vehicles from sunrise to sunset from November 1 through April 30 and from 8h to 19h from May 1 through October 31. There is no cost for pedestrians and bicyclists to access the beach. There is a $20 per day per vehicle user fee to drive on the beach (yikes ! My time living there was free, then it was raised to $5 after we left and now this wow !! ). There are 26 beach access points along the coast but in the central area of Daytona Beach you have such favorites as Cardinal Dr, (OB) Harvard Dr, Seabreese Blvd, International Speedway Blvd, University Blvd, and Silver Beach Avenue, Bear in mind this includes the cities of Daytona Beach and south to Daytona Beach Shores, there are others with different rules (as mine in Ormond Beach to the north).

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While the beach is accessible to pedestrians 24/7, beach driving is restricted to specific areas (weather and tides permitting) from one hour after sunrise to one hour before sunset. During sea turtle nesting season, May 1 through October 31, driving hours are set from 8h to 19h, The posted speed limit is 10 miles per hour and traffic lanes are clearly marked. While driving, a vehicle’s headlights must be on and at least one front window down. One-way traffic patterns are enforced in three areas: Granada Boulevard south to Cardinal Drive in Ormond Beach ,University Boulevard south to Seabreeze Boulevard in Daytona Beach International Speedway Boulevard south to Silver Beach Avenue in Daytona Beach. The beach is huge wide of 500 feet at low tide, you’ll have plenty of elbow room to embark on a new adventure, create new favorite memories and soak in the warm Florida sunshine. 

There are designated surfing areas in effect between 9h30 and 17h30 from the Saturday before Memorial Day (late May) through Labor Day (early September). The areas are as follows: From the centerline of the Plaza Drive approach to the north city limit of the City of Daytona Beach. From the centerline of the Hartford Avenue approach to the centerline of the Seaview Avenue approach. From the centerline of the Main Street approach to 600 feet north excluding the 300-foot no water activity area. From the centerline of the Main Street approach to 700 feet south excluding the 300 foot no water activity area. All other times of the year surfing is allowed in all areas of the beach, except within 300 feet of the Daytona Beach Pier.

The Daytona Beach Pier had originally constructed of palm logs, was built before the turn of the 20C and extended 600 feet (182 meters) into the ocean. and was known as the Keating Pier, after its builder. It was located at the end of Main Street, where the present pier is located, and the one I came to know. On January 20, 1920 a tremendous fire destroyed the pavilion and most of the pier. In 1924, Keating sold the remains of the pier to Jeter McMillan who tore it down and began construction of a new pier. The new Pier Casino opened on June 11, 1925. The pier was 1,000 feet (303 meters) in length and featured a Victorian style building. Its ornate ballroom could accommodate 2,000 dancers and hosted some of the top bands of the day. In addition to dances, the Pier Casino was the scene of charity balls, weddings, beauty contest, social events as well as civic meetings. The pier has changed ownership several times since McMillan died in 1946. In 2004, it was acquired by the city of Daytona Beach  On June 5, 2012, the Daytona Beach Pier reopened and the restaurant Joe’s Crab Shack (not try yet…)  opened its doors and began serving its unique brand of seafood and casual entertainment. It has been known as the Ocean Pier, Keating Pier, Pier Casino, Main Street Pier and now the Daytona Beach Pier, but to most people it is simply known as the pier ; the most recognizable landmark on Daytona Beach and source of many Daytona memories. Indeed !

It was here in the courthouse that I was married to a wonderful French lady who accepted to come and live with me in Ormond Beach back on December 26 1990, She was from Meaux, Seine et Marne dept 77 of the Île de France region east of Paris, We had our first son at Halifax Hospital here and the we moved south to live (North Miami, Hialeah, and Miramar)  and worked (Miami), We went all over together, visiting France ,and adjacent countries every year, Once south we lived in Hialeah in Miami Dade County where our twin boys were born in Hialeah Hospital, We became French citizens in 2000 and I moved to France to begin our journey on August 23 2003 ; the rest of the family including my parents followed after the house was sold and came on December 13 2003, We began another wonderful period in my life never to forget, Sadly, by now my parents are gone (2007 and 2023) and dear wife Martine is gone 2018 RIP all will be remembered fondly forever ! To think all started here in Ormond Beach and Daytona Beach Florida USA !

daytona beach MF on beach c 1992

The city of Daytona Beach on visiting   https://www.codb.us/890/Visiting

The Daytona Beach tourist office on the beaches : https://www.daytonabeach.com/things-to-do/beaches/

The Volusia county govt on the beaches : https://www.volusia.org/services/public-protection/beach-safety/

The State of Florida tourist office on the beaches of Daytona Beach : https://www.visitflorida.com/travel-ideas/articles/beach-highlights-daytona-beach/

There you go folks, a wonderful memorable nostalgic spot in my life, Daytona Beach, Florida is another great spot on earth for me and my family. Again, hope you enjoy this post on the beach at Daytona Beach as I

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!

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Published by pedmar10

I am a lover of travels to Europe , Americas , Africa and Asia as well ,who like to share my experiences of the last 53 years with the world, visiting so far 81 countries; living in 6, working in 5, and Citizen of 4, speaking fluently 4 languages. I can deal with sports especially football/soccer and love music, arts, wine collector/drinker, and go out to restaurants, and just visit the world. My background comes all the way from Candelaria and Pajara in Tenerife, Spain where my grandparents came from ;not knowing each other then, to Punta Brava, west of Havana, Cuba. There , my parents born in Cuba met and later on I was born there too. 100% guanche (annexed Tenerife to Spain on April 10 ,1496). I left Cuba as many have to Madrid, Spain where I lived for 4 years. Then, move to Perth Amboy ,New Jersey USA (living there 13 yrs) ; where I completed high school, became a US Citizen, learned to drive a car, and learned English. Afterward, went to the university in Florida, ERAU, and upon graduation decided to moved there to Ormond by the Sea, near Daytona Beach, finally moving North Miami, then Hialeah, then another moved to Silver Lakes division in Miramar, Broward county, Florida; in Florida I lived a total of 18 years. Finally , moved to France in 2003 ,Versailles call me for its royalty, and working in Paris was great. It was time to seek frontiers again and moved to Brech near Auray, Morbihan in Brittany , and later move to not too far Pluvigner. Total so far in France has been 20 years, and counting. Moving average a home every 5.5 years hopefully this will be my last. Cheers All rights reserved. No part of this blog may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means or stored in a retrieval system of any nature, without the written permission of the copyright holder, me. No part of this work may be modified, without the written permission of the holder, me.No part of this work may be exposed to public view in any form or by any means, without identifying the holder as the author, and with the before mentioned permission.

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