Daytona Beach
Discover Daytona Beach
The Greater Daytona Beach Area also includes Daytona Beach Shores, Holly Hill, Port Orange, Ponce Inlet, South Daytona, Ormond Beach and unincorporated areas of East Volusia County. Some of the surrounding cities use Daytona Beach as a mailing address. If you cannot find what you are looking for here, try checking the surrounding cities. Daytona Beach, famous as the "World Center of Racing" and home of NASCAR, is part of the East Central Florida greater metropolitan area. Daytona Beach is the best known of the seven area communities. Although the wide 23-mile (37 km) stretch of white sandy beach is still the biggest attraction here, with over 8 million visitors flocking to the area every year, the metro area is rapidly changing from event Mecca to family oriented resort destination. Historical sites like the Main Street Pier, the Oceanfront Boardwalk and the Clocktower in Oceanfront Park add to the appeal of this exciting city.
What to Experience in Daytona Beach
Taste of Daytona Beach...
Lodging around Daytona Beach generally is divided into three areas, Speedway, Beachside, and US-1. Hotels located on "International Speedway Boulevard" are close to the racetrack. Hotels located on "Atlantic Avenue" will be close to the beach. Hotels located on "Ridgewood Avenue" are on Route U.S.-1. High Season in Daytona Beach runs generally from February through August. Low Season is from September through January. The best rates are usually found in December and January. For additional lodging, see also: Daytona Beach Shores, Ormond Beach. Florida has a high occurrence of hurricanes. You might want to check the Hurricane safety page if you are visiting Florida. Beware of lightning in the central part of the state. New Smyrna Beach, located 20 minutes south of Daytona Beach is known for a high number of shark bites, so be careful when surfing and swimming. Always swim next to a lifeguard tower. Also, there is a high occurrence of tornadoes in Florida, so check the Tornado safety page. Daytona Beach has varying crime intensity by neighborhood. In certain parts of the city it may not be safe to walk alone or even in small groups at night. Tourist areas rarely have violent crimes, but theft is an occasional occurrence. The 911 number for fire and police emergencies is in effect in Daytona Beach. Seven digit dialing is in effect for local calls in the Daytona Beach area. The local area code is 386. For calls within the U.S. or Canada, dial "1+area code+number".
A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped Daytona Beach into what it is today.
Daytona was founded in 1870 by Matthias Day, from whom it takes its name. It was incorporated as a city in 1876. The separate towns of Daytona, Daytona Beach and Seabreeze merged to form Daytona Beach in 1926. In the 1920s, the city became known as The World's Most Famous Beach. Daytona's wide beach of smooth, compacted sand attracted automobile and motorcycle enthusiasts beginning in 1902, when pioneers in the industry tested their inventions. On 8 March 1936, the first stock car race was held on the Daytona Beach Course. In 1959, William France created Daytona International Speedway to replace the beach course. Automobiles are still permitted on the beach — at much slower speeds! Daytona is one of the few places in the world where a family car can be driven on an ocean beach. The city of Daytona Beach sits on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean and is split in two by the Halifax River. It is bordered on the north by Holly Hill and Ormond Beach and on the south by Daytona Beach Shores, South Daytona, and Port Orange. Daytona Beach has a very humid subtropical climate typical for a city in the southeastern United States. Summers are hot and humid with highs usually in the 90s (32+°C). Average heat indices are around 98 °F (37 °C) but can reach 106 °F (41 °C). At night the heat index falls to around 76 °F (24 °C), but some nights see heat indices not going below 81 °F (27 °C)....
Festivals & Events
Experience the vibrant festivals and cultural celebrations of Daytona Beach.
The Halifax Harbor Marina is on Beach Street, and is the departure point for several boat cruises along the Halifax River. Fishing boat charters usually originate from nearby Ponce Inlet or New Smyrna Beach. There are many golf courses in Daytona Beach and the surrounding area. Among them: When the weather pushes you off the beach or you simply need to find a cool space for the few hottest hours, Daytona offers shops to satisfy a wide range of tastes. Here are some suggestions: When the weather pushes you off the beach or you simply need to find a cool space for the few hottest hours, Daytona offers shops to satisfy a wide range of tastes. Here are some suggestions: There are countless gift shops along the beach drive, Florida Route A1A (Atlantic Avenue) where you can buy souvenir shirts, beach wear, surfing gear, tacky gifts, etc. Lodging around Daytona Beach generally is divided into three areas, Speedway, Beachside, and US-1.
Climate
The city of Daytona Beach sits on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean and is split in two by the Halifax River. It is bordered on the north by Holly Hill and Ormond Beach and on the south by Daytona Beach Shores, South Daytona, and Port Orange. Daytona Beach has a very humid subtropical climate typical for a city in the southeastern United States. Summers are hot and humid with highs usually in the 90s (32+°C). Average heat indices are around 98 °F (37 °C) but can reach 106 °F (41 °C). At night the heat index falls to around 76 °F (24 °C), but some nights see heat indices not going below 81 °F (27 °C). Thunderstorms are frequent in summer afternoons and the hot, humid weather can last through the fall months. Winters are dry and mild, marked by a constant series of cold fronts followed by warmer air. In wintertime, temperatures dip into the low 40s and upper 30s (5°C) on occasion, although freezes are rare. Frost occurs a few times a year mainly in the inland areas.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsThe next nearest airport for Allegiant Air, TUI (from the UK) and Sun Country is at Melbourne-Orlando International Airport (MLB) 91 mi (146 km) south, in the city in Melbourne (I-95 to Ellis Rd at exit 182). Allegiant Air services both Melbourne (MLB) and Sanford (SFB). Nearest airport for additional airlines from the U.S., Canada, Caribbean, Europe and Latin America is Orlando International Airport (MCO) (73 mi (117 km) west, along I-4, SR-417 & SR-528) and only from all over the U.S. to Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) (104 mi (167 km) north on I-95 to Airport Rd at Exit 363B). Daytona Beach is easily accessible by interstate I-95 which runs north and south and I-4 (east-west) which connects Daytona Beach with Orlando and Tampa. U.S. Highway 1 (north-south) (Ridgewood Avenue) also passes through Daytona Beach. A1A (north-south) is a scenic route along the beach....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Getting around by car is very easy and convenient in Daytona Beach. The major roads are all wide and easy to drive on with all the major areas signposted, but traffic jams around major intersections are common in the afternoons and around the tourist areas on Saturday nights. The main tourism area is A1A, also known as Atlantic Avenue, a strip of road that runs parallel to the beach for 23 miles (37 km). During major NASCAR races, International Speedway Boulevard gets congested near the racetrack and traffic patterns on other surrounding roads are altered to accommodate the extra traffic. During major motorcycle events, Main Street and Beach Street as well as most of A1A and U.S. Highway 1 experience heavy traffic or are closed. I-95 around exit 273 is also extremely busy during motorcycle rallies. All major car rental companies are located in or near the Daytona Beach International Airport.
Where to Stay
Lodging around Daytona Beach generally is divided into three areas, Speedway, Beachside, and US-1. Hotels located on "International Speedway Boulevard" are close to the racetrack. Hotels located on "Atlantic Avenue" will be close to the beach. Hotels located on "Ridgewood Avenue" are on Route U.S.-1. High Season in Daytona Beach runs generally from February through August. Low Season is from September through January. The best rates are usually found in December and January. For additional lodging, see also: Daytona Beach Shores, Ormond Beach. Florida has a high occurrence of hurricanes. You might want to check the Hurricane safety page if you are visiting Florida. Beware of lightning in the central part of the state. New Smyrna Beach, located 20 minutes south of Daytona Beach is known for a high number of shark bites, so be careful when surfing and swimming. Always swim next to a lifeguard tower.
Money & Budget
When the weather pushes you off the beach or you simply need to find a cool space for the few hottest hours, Daytona offers shops to satisfy a wide range of tastes. Here are some suggestions: When the weather pushes you off the beach or you simply need to find a cool space for the few hottest hours, Daytona offers shops to satisfy a wide range of tastes. Here are some suggestions: There are countless gift shops along the beach drive, Florida Route A1A (Atlantic Avenue) where you can buy souvenir shirts, beach wear, surfing gear, tacky gifts, etc. Lodging around Daytona Beach generally is divided into three areas, Speedway, Beachside, and US-1. Hotels located on "International Speedway Boulevard" are close to the racetrack. Hotels located on "Atlantic Avenue" will be close to the beach.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Florida has a high occurrence of hurricanes. You might want to check the Hurricane safety page if you are visiting Florida. Beware of lightning in the central part of the state. New Smyrna Beach, located 20 minutes south of Daytona Beach is known for a high number of shark bites, so be careful when surfing and swimming. Always swim next to a lifeguard tower. Also, there is a high occurrence of tornadoes in Florida, so check the Tornado safety page. Daytona Beach has varying crime intensity by neighborhood. In certain parts of the city it may not be safe to walk alone or even in small groups at night. Tourist areas rarely have violent crimes, but theft is an occasional occurrence. The 911 number for fire and police emergencies is in effect in Daytona Beach. Seven digit dialing is in effect for local calls in the Daytona Beach area. The local area code is 386. For calls within the U.S. or Canada, dial "1+area code+number".
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Daytona Beach
red and white building on beach during daytime
a beach with chairs and umbrellas
PSALM 19 1 The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. 2 Day to day pours forth speech, And night to night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech, nor are there words; ...... ..... ..... 12 Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults. 13 Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins; Let them not rule over me; Then I will be [e]blameless, And I shall be acquitted of great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.
Warm day at Daytona Beach
Beach shore line in Daytona Beach, FL
I randomly ended up at the Daytona 500 this year, so I figured I should shoot some cars. If you think you party but have never camped in the infield of a NASCAR race, you definitely do not party.
brown wooden dock on beach during daytime
Beach Traffic.
ocean waves crashing on shore during daytime
silhouette of palm trees under cloudy sky during daytime
red and white building on beach during daytime
a beach with chairs and umbrellas
PSALM 19 1 The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. 2 Day to day pours forth speech, And night to night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech, nor are there words; ...... ..... ..... 12 Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults. 13 Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins; Let them not rule over me; Then I will be [e]blameless, And I shall be acquitted of great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.