DAYTONA

DAYTONA, Vacationers have been flocking to the Daytona Beach area for more than a century. During the late 1800s, the area caught the attention and imagination of many wealthy northern tycoons who found the land favorable for investment. One such mogul, Matthias Day, was the founding father of what was then called Daytona. He had built the first hotel, the Palmetto House, in 1874. Automobile racing became a regular pastime along the hard-packed beaches at the turn of the 20th Century. Ormond Beach became known as the "birthplace of speed" due to the various land speed records set there. In 1947, the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing was founded in Daytona Beach. Motorsports gained new ground in 1959 with the opening of the Daytona International Speedway, which continues to satisfy hundreds of thousands of speed-hungry fans each year. Today, the Daytona Beach area entertains approximately 8 million visitors each year. Visitors come from around the world to relax and recreate on one of the most beautiful, family-friendly beaches in Florida.

<<Spend a day relaxing on "The World's Most Famous Beach" and get away from it all. Our 23 miles of sandy, white beaches are open to pedestrians 24/7 with free access!  Cars are permitted in designated areas of the beach from sunrise to sunset, tidal conditions permitting. Visit Daytona Beach and find out why people love to vacation here.
Driving: - 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 - Oct. 31, driving hours are set from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Traffic lanes and speed limits are clearly marked. Parking: - Beach parking is available in marked areas just west of the traffic lanes and east of the Conservation Zones. Be sure to park perpendicular to the shoreline, and for safety reasons, do not position yourself, chairs or umbrellas between cars. General Beach Regulations:- Please take care not to park in soft sand areas or on vegetation;  Be sure that any fires are contained to a grill, and please dispose of ashes properly once cooled; We ask that all fires are contained to a grill and that you dispose of ashes after they have cooled; Please use only paper products on the beach, and dispose of them in the trash cans which are posted conveniently throughout the length of the beach; Sorry, but neither overnight parking, camping nor alcoholic beverages are permitted on the beach; Dogs are permitted in specific areas only.

From one-of-a-kind clothing boutiques and eclectic shopping centers, to elegant gourmet dining and family-friendly eateries, you'll find plenty of must-see options. And when the sun goes down, be sure to take to the dance floor at one of our high-energy nightclubs -- or take it down a notch with some exceptionally smooth jazz... Let the festivities begin! You'll find plenty of exciting options to fill your evening - dancing, live music, high-energy clubs and more. Hungry? Daytona Beach features more than 400 restaurants; with delectable cuisine from around the world. From high-end boutiques to high-bargain chains, we've got all the shopping you need to satisfy your "shop `til you drop" cravings!

Daytona Beach features an assortment of spectator sports. From minor league baseball to indoor football, we have something for every sports fan to enjoy.  Daytona has a variety of championship golf courses at your fingertips, moderate temperatures and value-packed rates, you can enjoy golf year 'round’.  Also, Daytona Beach is home to USTA Florida Tennis. There are numerous courts and tournaments throughout the year.  For fishing, Daytona Beach features some of the best fishing in Florida. Enjoy several fishing tournaments each year including the Daytona Beach Striking Tournament in May.  Experience the area's waterways at a leisurely pace, with a boating or kayaking excursion from one of our popular launching spots. Check out the freshwater and saltwater diving and snorkeling which are plentiful in the Daytona Beach area. In addition to our popular rock-ledge reef, the area has a number of shipwrecks.

TRANSPORTATION
The Daytona Beach area is very accessible whether you are traveling in your own personal vehicle or prefer to use other available transportation.  Direct flights to Daytona Beach International Airport from Atlanta, as well as the New York, Baltimore and Washington D.C. metro areas, depart daily via Delta, Continental, and Air Tran airlines.

GROUND TRANSPORTATION FROM AIRPORT ((MCO)
Daytona Beach is one of the most popular and conveniently located motor coach and rail transportation destinations in the state.  Below please find a list of transportation companies: