Posts From March 2008
The Beach
Vacation Planning
Driving and Volusia County Beach Info
One of the shining highlights of coming to Daytona is driving on the beach.
Parking your car, setting up camp and enjoying the day with a beach chair, a cooler and a slather of sun tanning oil.
Beach Hours
The beach is open to vehicles from sunrise to sunset Nov. 1 through April 30
and from 8 a.m.-7 p.m., May 1 through Oct. 31.
There is a $5 per day per vehicle user fee to drive on the beach February 1 through November 30.
Season beach passes are $20 for Volusia County residents and $40 for non-residents.
It is obvious where the driving lane is, the lifeguards take great care to mark it for you.
Vendors
You will find vendors (about every 300 ft) along the beach for the following::
” Fast Food (Hot Dogs – Burgers)
” Cold Drinks
” Ice Cream
” ATV Rentals
” Bike rentals
” Boogie Board Rentals
” Para Sailing
” Beach Chair – Umbrella Rental
Tide Table
Use this handy website to print out a tide table for Daytona Beach::
http://tbone.biol.sc.edu/tide/tideshow.cgi?site=Daytona+Beach+%28Ocean%29%2C+Florida
No Drive Beach location
The No-Drive Beach is in Daytona Beach and runs from International Speedway Drive to Seabreeze Blvd.
Best Website for your Beach Questions…..
I have found the best information on this Volusia County Website, which I believe will answer all of you questions::
www.volusia.org
Where are the surf zones?
http://volusia.org/beach/surfzones.htm
Please read the Shark Facts -
There were 14 shark bites for Volusia County 2007
http://volusia.org/parks/front.htm
Daytona Beach – Daytona Beach Shores Beach Access:
http://volusia.org/countycouncil/beach_access2.pdf
What do the beach warning flags mean?
http://volusia.org/beach/flags.htm
Where are the Beachfront Parks?
http://volusia.org/parks/front.htm
See below for the park information directly from the page above.
Beachfront Parks
Volusia County’s beachfront parks are particularly scenic and popular with residents and visitors.
Bicentennial Park
Flagler Ave. Park
Frank Rendon Park
Lighthouse Point Park
Mary McLeod Bethune
Tom Renick Park
Sun Splash
Smyrna Dunes Park
27th Avenue
Winterhaven Park
Bicentennial Park
1800 N. Oceanshore Blvd.
Ormond BeachBicentennial Park stretches from the Halifax River to the Atlantic Ocean, this 40-acre park north of Ormond Beach is loaded with amenities. Beachgoers may park across the street from the ocean on the park’s east side to enjoy the sand and surf.
Flagler Avenue Park
Flagler Ave.
New Smyrna BeachFlagler Ave. Park is a popular beachfront park in New Smyrna Beach. The park is just off historic Flagler Avenue, complete with its quaint shops and close proximity to famous Breakers Restaurant. The park is owned by the City of New Smyrna Beach, and maintained to its natural beauty by Volusia County Leisure Services.
Frank Rendon Park
2705 S. Atlantic Ave
Daytona Beach Shores
Named after a community activist in the Daytona Beach Shores area, Frank Rendon Park features sheltered picnic areas, grills, children’s playground with padded floor, disability-accessible restrooms, water fountain, outdoor showers, 141 off-street parking spaces, handicapped parking, wheelchair accessible wooden beach walkway, wooden observation deck, beach wheels.
Lighthouse Point Park
5000 Robert Merrill Parkway
Ponce Inlet
Lighthouse Point Park consists of 52 acres of pristine land on the north side of Ponce DeLeon Inlet in the Town of Ponce Inlet. The 52-acre park features fishing, nature trails, an observation deck and tower, swimming and picnicking.
A variety of wildlife call the park home, including raccoons, possums, skunks, armadillos, shore birds and birds of prey.
Lighthouse Point Park is open from 6 a.m.- 9 p.m. There is a $3.50 per vehicle admission charge. For more information, call the Lighthouse Point Park office at (386) 756-7488.
Mary McLeod Bethune Beach Park
6656 S. Atlantic Ave.
New Smyrna Beach
Mary McLeod Bethune Beach Park is nestled upon six acres between the Halifax River and the Atlantic Ocean, this quiet spot south of New Smyrna Beach features a boardwalk on the oceanside and a fishing pier on the riverside — where visitors often catch a glimpse of manatees.
Tom Renick Park
1565 Oceanshore Blvd.
Ormond-by-the-Sea
Named after former Volusia County Beach Director, Tom Renick Park features sheltered picnic areas, children’s playground with padded floor, disability-accessible restrooms, water fountain, outdoor showers, 50 off-street parking spaces, handicapped parking, wheelchair accessible wooden beach walkway
Sun Splash
611 S. Atlantic Ave.
Daytona Beach
Beachgoers can sun, splash and beat the heat at Volusia County’s Sun Splash Park at South Atlantic Avenue and Revilo Boulevard in Daytona Beach.
Sun Splash Park features an interactive water fountain, decorative walkways, a shaded playground, volleyball courts, picnic areas, restrooms, outdoor showers, two beach access ramps and a Coca-Cola-sponsored “cool zone.” The four-acre facility also provides 95 off-beach parking spaces. Open sunrise to sunset. No fee.
Smyrna Dunes Park
2995 N. Peninsula Dr.
New Smyrna Beach
Smyrna Dunes Park is built on 250 acres at the northern tip of the New Smyrna Beach peninsula. The park is home to a variety of animals, birds, reptiles, marine life and vegetation. Three miles of elevated wooden walks, picnic areas, pavilions and an observation tower allow visitors to enjoy the park while protecting the sensitive sand dunes from foot traffic. The park is open from sunrise to sunset. There is an admission charge of $3.50 per vehicle.
For information, call the Smyrna Dunes Park Manager Office at (386) 424-2935 or Leisure Services at (386) 736-5953.
27th Avenue
3701 S. Atlantic Ave.
New Smyrna Beach
27th Avenue Park features an innovative design which not only enhances the beach, but also provides additional off-beach parking.
Volusia County has leased the 3.4-acre park from the City of New Smyrna Beach as part of an interlocal agreement. The facility has 130 parking spaces, beach cabanas with picnic tables, a promenade, a children’s playground and improved pedestrian beach access. Open sunrise to sunset. No fee.
Winterhaven Park
4589 S. Atlantic Ave.
Ponce Inlet
Winterhaven Park features a boardwalk, picnic areas and restrooms.
There are so many different locations to enjot fun in the sun…. get a-packing and see you there !!
March 19th – March 22nd, 2008
My most recent mini trip where I worked and stocked my condos. I flew in on Southwest Air using Rapid Rewards points and the only available flights were out of Jacksonville: i.e JAX.
Jacksonville Airport: Quick walk thru terminal to public area, 10 -15 walk up type restauants /pubs – bookstores and various other small shoppes to pick up souvenirs relating to Florida – Jacksonville and area. Baggage claim is a short walk. Car rental — quick and easy, short walk to garage for pick-up.
Directions:: Jacksonville to Daytona– easy to pick up 1-95, took it south to Daytona. Trip time was about 1 hour and 40 minutes to Daytona. a bit longer than the ride from Orlando to Daytona.
Overall:: Nice airport, convenient destination for a Daytona fly-in.
As of now:: My 1st Choice in Airports would be
:: Daytona Beach (DAB) 2md:: Orlando (MCO) 3rd:: Jacksonville (Jax)
When factoring in price and convenience in timing flight schedules all should be considered when planning a trip in to Daytona Beach Florida.
Daytona Beach Spring Break 2008
What could be better than taking a break from the ice and snow and books and teachers and recharging in the sun in Daytona Beach..
These are the future leaders of our nation…..
I decided to go amongst them and try to recapture my youth…
Pass the Hawaiian Tropic Pleeeze………………..
There were kids everywhere — and everyone was hanging out and having fun….
Look at this guy — what a show off.
What could be better than a sand castle or a sand hole to crawl into ??
Working hard on a tan….
Hey Big Guy — Bad News — but I’m off the market…..
See — everyone needs a spring break !!
We had plenty of good weather and blue skies this year
I gotta say that there was a great turn out….
You are never too old to be a spring breaker….
If you see me on “2008 – Girls Gone Wild” …. let’s just keep that our little secret, ther are some things that BHB just doesn’t need to know…
Originally Published in ::
Yes, this is one of my favorite on-line columns and I pay close attention to this from home , as I am always on the lookout for a new and exciting place to hang out….. to catch this column yourself, I whole heartedly recommend
http://www.news-journalonline.com for Daytona Beach News and current events.
New Thai place puts owner to work
By LUNCH BUNCH
Two can eat out for less than $20
Reporter Scott Wyland ate lunch with co-worker Jim Haug recently at Zen Bistro, a new Thai restaurant near Beach Street.
Q. What was your impression of the place?
The eatery is small with a dozen or so tables, creating a cozy atmosphere with enough elbow room to give you a sense of privacy when chatting.
Q. How was the service?
The busy owner does most everything — seating patrons, supervising the restaurant’s staff, waiting tables, ringing up credit cards. Yet he manages to be friendly and prompt, despite his multi-tasking.
Q. What’s the menu like?
A good variety of Thai cuisine, including tofu options for vegetarians. The prices are reasonable, especially for lunch. The menu includes soups, curries, sauteed dishes, noodles, rice, teppanyaki for those craving Japanese food, and some Thai-style desserts.
Q. What did you have?
I ordered chicken satay with a tangy peanut sauce ($4.95) for an appetizer and chicken fried rice ($6.95) for my main meal. I found both my choices tasty and the portions decent. Jim had tofu pad Thai ($6.95) and vegetable spring rolls ($2.95). He thought the spring rolls were delicious. However, he found the pad Thai a bit bland and would recommend ordering it with a little extra spice.
Q. Will you go back?
Definitely. It’s great to have a high-quality Thai restaurant in downtown Daytona Beach.
Zen Bistro
WHERE: 112 Bay St., Daytona Beach
HOURS: Lunch 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; dinner 4:30 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday
MISCELLANEOUS: Credit cards accepted. Wine and beer available.
ACCESSIBILITY: Handicapped accessible. Parking in front of the building and in a lot across the street.
PHONE: (386) 248-0453
Thank you News Journal !!
I feel like I just got a day off !!~
Originally Published in ::
Yes, this is one of my favorite on-line columns and I pay close attention to this from home , as I am always on the lookout for a new and exciting place to hang out….. to catch this column yourself, I whole heartedly recommend
http://www.news-journalonline.com for Daytona Beach News and current events.
March 19, 2008
Midday breakfast a special treat
LUNCH BUNCH
Two can eat out for less than $20
Food Editor Catherine Klasne, a real eggs-and-pancakes hound, probably would eat breakfast for all three meals of the day. She’s been eyeing The Ultimate Omelet House in Daytona Beach for a long time. Finally, during Bike Week, she stopped there (along with her husband, Nick, regional editor).
Q. How did the place look?
I remember this building as the original location for Maria Bonita, and there still are a few vestiges, but it’s been repainted, refurnished and rearranged.
Although very busy on the day we visited, the restaurant was clean and serviceable.
Q. What did you order?
Although sorely tempted by the potato pancakes, I chose the spinach, tomato and feta cheese omelet. It was cooked perfectly and generously stuffed, and I loved the fluffy homemade biscuit. I ordered the hash-brown casserole instead of going with the choice of home fries, hash browns or grits that comes with the breakfast. The casserole looked gloppy-scary but tasted cheesy and fine; I missed the crusty brown part that makes or breaks a casserole.
Nick went for two eggs, up, and corned beef hash with grits and rye toast ($6.95). Again, perfectly cooked. These folks know their eggs. And the hash had that little bit of crust that makes it so toothsome.
Q. What to drink?
Nick said the coffee ($1.25) was excellent, and our very competent server brought plenty of hot water to go with my tea ($1.25). Each mug is a little different, and they could have come from someone’s collection.
Q. What if I don’t want breakfast?
You’d have plenty of choices, including burgers, melts, subs, sandwiches, soups and salads. I’ll probably stick to breakfasts, but that’s just me. Next time, I can try the pancakes, “ultimate sandwiches,” French toast or Belgium waffles.
Q. What was your total?
It was $18 even, including tax but not tip.
News-Journal
The Ultimate Omelet House
WHERE: 1435 S. Ridgewood Ave., Daytona Beach
HOURS: 6 a.m.-2 p.m. daily
THIS AND THAT: No alcohol served; major credit cards accepted; roomy and handicapped accessible; eat in or take out
PHONE: 386-255-2006
News-Journal
Thank you News Journal !!
I feel like I just got a day off !!~
