DriVing down A1A - bit of Daytona

I didn’t have any destination in mind in Daytona, it was just a part of my A1A drive down the coast to a local park. I just happily admired some of the older buildings with their retro charm and walked an empty freezing beach where I found this beautiful a-frame home.

I did want to make one quick run into a local boba shop. However, you can’t park anywhere in Daytona without getting yelled at to pay $10, so we opted to park in the public parking at Sun Splash park and walk. It was there that I ran in to grab a fruit tea and was able to get a shot of this colorful shop, and the iconic Streamline Hotel across the street which has a Miami art deco vibe.

Bread and Bubble Tea - 151 S Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach, FL 32118

Tropical Manor

I did a double take as we drove by the Tropical Manor. The colorful exterior and floral designs are easy to spot from the road, so naturally I had to pull over and take it all in. This colorful, lush, setting looks like it could be an Annette Funicello movie set. The custom hand-painted murals and facades all scream Florida.

Tropical Manor - 2237 S Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach Shores, FL 32118

Canaveral National Seashore

The final destination of cruising A1A was the National Canaveral Seashore. It’s a park that requires an entry fee ($20 per car) and allows beach access. This is a popular destination to watch launches, but it offers much more to explore with trails, open lagoons, and overlooks. We saw a few bicyclists, and I couldn’t help but think the straight roadway might be perfect for roller skaters too!

Castle Windy Trail

At parking area #3 you’ll find a small sign directing you to Castle Windy Trail. It’s a shady .8-mile out-and-back trail only half a mile long, takes you from the ocean to the lagoon, crossing the entire barrier island. Being there about an hour from dusk was a gorgeous time to walk this trail covered in windy live oaks and sable palms.

Turtle Mound Trail

Turtle Mound is a prehistoric archaeological site located in the Canaveral National Seashore. Turtle Mound can be reached by hiking trails, which lead to the top of the ancient shell midden and provides an excellent view of the Atlantic Ocean. it’s a boardwalk, but the sunset views are beautiful.

The other short trail hugs the coastline and you’ll see the walkway is lined with shell, and to your right there are bags of shells. The end of the pathway comes to a secluded opening. Back at the main open area, to the left there are a few picnic tables. This would be a beautiful view for sunset snack.

Know before you go:

There is an admission price of $20 per vehicle
If you love it enough to buy an annual pass the cost is $40
Playalinda Beach is located here, which is clothing optional, so check the signage before entering the beach access points if that isn’t on your itinerary.
The park closes at 6 PM daily.
This post is not sponsored and hopefully will give you more COVID friendly ideas to get out of the house and explore.