*1. Ormond: Andy Romano (just north of Daytona; Atlantic ocean 1 hr 15 min):  Our favorite!  FREE parking with great facilities for families!  Shaded picnic tables, kids' playground & splash pad, large CLEAN bathrooms, snack bar, lifeguard on duty, bigger waves/breakers, firmer sand.  

*2.  Daytona  (Atlantic ocean 1 hr 10 min):  Hip scene with great beachside shopping and restaurants, bigger waves/breakers.  Head south of Daytona on I-95 to exit 256 toward Port Orange for quiter beaches to the north, and public beaches to the south. 

*3.  Sand Key (Gulf; 1 hr 30 min): We skip through Clearwater city, which is more crowded, but has some great restaurants, shopping, and boat tours.  Follow the main drag through Clearwater, south to Sand Key public beach.  Intense sun (watch for sunburn), warmer water, no waves/breakers-safer for younger children, softer sand, gather seashells.  We've seen dozens of dolphins here later in the day!  [Avoid travelling to/from here during rush hour traffic times!!!]

*4.  Indian Rocks (Gulf; 1 hr 30 min):  Lots of public beaches along this area, but parking is very limited with multiple options of only 10 or so parking spots each.  More crowded, soft sand, warm water, no waves/breakers, and bathtub-like ocean with 2-4 feet shallow area for a good distance.

*5.  St Augustine (Atlantic; 2 hrs):  Tiny seashells instead of sandy beach (bring water shoes/sandals!). Combine with an hour or two at St Augustine fortress/castle (now a National Park; built in the 1500's--saw pirate activity, Spanish fighting, etc).  AND some time in old town St Augustine (eat in a 500 yr old tavern or see the oldest school in America!); all within 5 minutes of each other!  [Avoid travelling to/from during rush hour traffic times.]