The beaches in Daytona Beach are large, the sand is compact and the waves are big enough to surf. With sand being compact, it provides opportunities not accustomed to having grown up going to beaches in the Florida Panhandle. Running is enjoyable, bikes are easily ridden, if it’s windy you don’t eat sand and using a stroller is actually an option.
Sunrise greeted our trip. Since adding our little early bird to our family, we now see more sunrises than ever expected. This turns out to have advantages. Watching the sunrise always seems to start a day in such an energetic and positive way. This started our week in Daytona Beach perfectly.
sunrise Daytona Beach
Perfection.
sunrise Daytona Beach, Florida
Hello sunrise!
Luckily, the weather was great to enjoy the beaches. Flying kites, throwing frisbee, building sand castles, boogie boarding, surfing, there was plenty to keep everyone entertained.
throwing frisbee
flying a kite
Did I mention that since cars can get permits to come on the beach, this also means that ice cream trucks parade continuously back and forth? My daughter thought this was absolutely the coolest part about Daytona Beach. Although, I must admit, if there was a variety of food truck options, they would really be on to something.
ice cream truck on the beach, Daytona Beach, Florida
Ponce Inlet is just south of Daytona Beach and the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse and Marine Science Center are definitely worth a visit. Standing as the tallest lighthouse in Florida, we climbed 203 steps to get a view from the top. Climbing to the top with 4 children under the age of 8 was possible. The last flight was extremely steep, and the kids needed a little help getting to the top, but we were able to do it without a problem.
Ponce Inlet Lighthouse
looking down the stairs of Ponce Inlet Lighthouse
view from the top of Ponce Inlet Lighthouse
Crabby Joe’s came highly recommended. The restaurant sits on top of a long pier with beautiful views and waves crashing underneath while you eat. The experience was enjoyed, as well as the delicious po’ boys.
Crabby Joe’s
view from pier at Crabby Joe’s
A few things to take note about Daytona Beach: Some areas are cleaner and nicer than others, the Ferris Wheel seen in iconic photos is a bit sketchy and may or may not even be in working order (we never saw it move), there are lifeguards on patrol and alcohol is not allowed on the beaches.
Daytona Beach was a great experience and lots of fun memories were made. With so many places to visit, who knows if we will ever make it back but it was definitely worth the visit.