Touted as "The World's Most Famous Beach'', the beach at Daytona stretches 23 miles along the Atlantic Coast in north-central Florida. The beach achieved fame in the early years of the twentieth century when automobiles were first permitted to drive on the white sand.
The smooth sand at Daytona Beach quickly became a favorite place for pioneers in the new automobile industry to test their inventions. Automobile and motorcycle races on the beach began as early as 1902 and many land speed records were broken there during the first few decades of the 1900s, including the first in 1902 - clocked at about 57 miles per hour. The last land speed record set at Daytona before beach driving rules were changed was in 1935, when Sir Malcolm Campbell drove his vehicle, named "Bluebird'', at speeds up to 276 miles per hour.
Today, the beach at Daytona Beach still welcomes automobiles. During daytime hours, driving is permitted on about 18 miles of this long stretch of beach but only at speeds of 10 miles per hour and less. The remaining five miles of sand are reserved for pedestrians only.
The beaches at Daytona are always free and are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to pedestrians, with limited hours for cars and drivers, which are generally permitted to enter the beach area from sunrise to sunset when tides permit.
From approximately May 15 to Oct. 31, Daytona Beach also plays host to a large number of Green Turtles, an endangered Florida species. Established dune conservation zones protect the turtles during nesting season and driving in those areas is prohibited during this time. Visitors, however, are permitted to watch the sea turtles from a designated distance and the experience is one that beach goers don't soon forget.
The beach at Daytona also has some excellent surfing spots, with regular swells and a soft, sandy bottom. The best waves on the beach can usually be found around Ponce Inlet and New Smyrna Beach. Several local shops carry the equipment surfers need to enjoy their sport.
The Boardwalk at Daytona Beach offers a variety of food stands and souvenir shops as well as a plethora of family-oriented activities including miniature golf, arcades, go-kart tracks, water parks, and more. There's also an open-air band shell and other informal performance venues that accommodate live music concerts. The Boardwalk also has several piers that are occupied by amusements and midway games.
Daytona Beach has long been a popular Spring Break destination for college students from the North seeking sun during the month of March. Clubs host large parties and other special events during this time of year and hotels and other accommodations offer reduced-rate Spring Break pricing.
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