23 Best Sights in Northeast Coast, Florida

At the World's Most Famous Beach you can drive right onto the sand (at least from one hour after sunrise to one hour before sunset), spread out a blanket, and have all your belongings at hand—with the exception of alcohol, which is prohibited. The speed limit on the beach is 10 mph, and there's a $20 fee that's collected at the beach ramps, which are indicated with signs on Route A1A.  Sand traps aren't limited to the golf course—cars can get stuck.

The hard-packed sand that makes the beach suitable for driving is also perfect for running and cycling, and there's excellent surf fishing directly from the beach. Note that the wide, 23-mile-long beach can get crowded in the "strip" area (between International Speedway Boulevard and Seabreeze Boulevard) with its food vendors, beachfront bars, volleyball matches, and motorized-water-sports enthusiasts. Heavy traffic in this area in summer and on holidays makes it dangerous for children; families should opt for the quieter, car-free zones in more residential areas to the north or south. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (some with fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: sunrise; surfing; swimming; walking.

A few miles south of Fernandina Beach, the Talbot Islands State Parks system consists of seven parks, three of which have beach settings. All the oceanfront parks have picnic areas and a small admission charge but free parking. Little Talbot is popular for swimming and beachcombing; however, swimming is restricted on parts of the beach because of swift currents. Sand dollars are often found at the far north end. Big Talbot, with its Boneyard Beach of wind-twisted trees, is not recommended for swimming but is a photographer's paradise. Amelia Island State Park is best known for letting you horseback ride on the beach as well as for the adjacent George Crady fishing pier. Kayak and canoe tours can be booked through the parks system's vendor, Kayak Amelia. Amenities: lifeguards (seasonal); parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: solitude; sunrise; swimming; walking.

In 1935, at a time when segregation laws banned African Americans from Florida beaches, this historic beach was founded as a safe haven for people of color. It's the first stop on Florida's Black Heritage Trail, and the nearby A.L. Lewis Museum has exhibits that explore both segregation and the history of the beach. Although parking is limited, this historic beach is a prime spot for quiet walks, sunbathing, and searching for shells. Amenities: parking. Best for: solitude; walking.

If you don't mind paying a modest entrance fee for beach access, this park offers some outstanding choices. At one end of the beach, there's a playground and snack bar, where you can order sandwiches and cold drinks or rent a beach chair, umbrella, surfboard, or other beach paraphernalia. If you walk north along the beach, however, all traces of civilization seem to vanish. An offshore break makes the park a good surfing spot, there's a boat launch, and canoes and kayaks can be rented. The campgrounds are very popular, too. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards (seasonal); parking (no fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: solitude; surfing; swimming; walking.

In addition to typical beach activities, visitors to this beach on the northern end of Canaveral National Seashore can also ride horses here (with a permit), hike self-guided trails, and tour the historic Eldora Statehouse. From I–95, take Exit 220 and head east. Amenities: lifeguards (seasonal); parking (fee); toilets. Best for: solitude; swimming; walking.

If you're looking for sun-soaked relaxation, head for Atlantic Beach, where you can sink your feet into white, sugary sands or catch some waves in the warm surf. Beachgoers with canine companions are welcome during the day and evening as long as the dog is leashed. Atlantic Beach and next-door Neptune Beach share the trendy Town Center, which has lots of tempting dining and shopping within a block of the shore. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards (seasonal); showers; water sports. Best for: sunrise; surfing; swimming; walking.

This quiet beach south of St. Augustine played a role in the civil rights movement of the 1960s, when it attracted national attention for a "wade-in" that later led to Martin Luther King Jr. visiting St. Augustine. Today, it is a county park that still provides access to the beachfront. Amenities: lifeguards (seasonal); parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: swimming; walking.

This is one of the Space Coast's nicest beaches—and the place where the great professional surfer Kelly Slater got his start. It has one of the East Coast's steadiest surf breaks, as well as wide stretches of hard sand that are excellent for biking, jogging, power walking, and strolling. In some places, there are dressing rooms, showers, playgrounds, picnic areas with grills, snack shops, and surfside parking lots. Beach vendors offer necessities, and lifeguards are on duty in the summer. A popular entry road, Route 520, crosses the Banana River into Cocoa Beach. At its east end, 5-acre Alan Shepard Park, named for the famous astronaut, aptly provides excellent views of launches from Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral. Facilities here include 10 picnic pavilions, shower and restroom facilities, and more than 300 parking spaces. Parking is $15 for the day. Shops and restaurants are within walking distance. Another enticing Cocoa Beach entry point is 10-acre Sidney Fischer Park, in the 2100 block of Route A1A in the central beach area. It has showers, playgrounds, changing areas, picnic areas with grills, snack shops, and plenty of well-maintained parking lots ($20 per day). Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards (seasonal); parking (fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: sunrise; surfing; swimming; walking.

Though it's officially a Jacksonville city park, this popular spot on the northern side of the St. Johns River is often grouped with Amelia's beaches. It's one of a handful of beaches on which you can drive; no special permit is required; however, four-wheel-drive vehicles are highly recommended. Families with lots of beach equipment like the option of parking close to the water, but it takes vigilance to avoid soft sand and incoming tides. The ocean side offers good surfing, bodyboarding, and surf fishing. On the northwestern side is a shallow, sheltered lagoon that's a favorite with windsurfers, paddleboarders, and parents of small children. The southeastern side offers views of the aircraft carriers and destroyers at Mayport Naval Station. Rough campsites are available. The park is also an important stop for migrating birds, so at certain times of the year, some areas are closed to vehicles. Amenities: lifeguards (seasonal); showers; toilets. Best for: surfing; swimming; windsurfing.

Enjoy the waves at one of the region's busier beaches, which stretches along the coast for 4 miles. A boardwalk and a bevy of beachfront restaurants and shops are also draws, so expect crowds, especially during spring and summer school breaks. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards (seasonal); parking; showers; toilets. Best for: partiers; sunrise; surfing; swimming.

A wonderful taste of the real Florida, this 4½-acre beach and oceanfront campground has picnic pavilions, bike paths, and a 1,200-foot-long fishing pier that doubles as a perfect vantage point from which to watch a liftoff from Cape Canaveral or to glimpse the gigantic cruise ships as they depart the port for the Bahamas. Lifeguards are on duty year-round, and all manner of equipment from beach chairs and umbrellas to bodyboards to beach wheelchairs is available for rent. A jetty constructed of giant boulders adds to the landscape; a walkway across it provides access to a less-populated stretch of beach. This is Florida without the theme-park varnish. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: sunrise; surfing; swimming; walking.

Of all Fernandina Beach beach access points, this is likely to be the most crowded—but it's also the most fun for kids and teens. Not only are there shaded playgrounds, sand volleyball courts, a beachfront playground, picnic tables, and a multipurpose court at the park itself, but there's old-school fun to be had at the adjacent skate park and vintage miniature-golf course, whose concession stand sells cold drinks, ice cream, and snow cones. A casual restaurant and bar are right on the beach. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards (seasonal); parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: swimming.

Between Atlantic and Jacksonville beaches, this is a great family spot—perfect for combining a day at the beach with other activities. Because Neptune and Atlantic beaches share Atlantic Avenue's Town Center, with its assortment of restaurants, galleries, stores, and boutiques, you can easily escape the sun when you're ready for great food, shopping, and live entertainment. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards (seasonal); showers. Best for: sunrise; swimming; walking.

This public beach extends 7 miles from the northernmost part of New Smyrna's barrier island south to the Canaveral National Seashore. It's mostly hard-packed white sand lined with heaps of sandy dunes; because they're endangered, it's against the law to walk on or play in them or to pick the sea grass, which helps to stabilize the dunes. From sunrise to sunset cars are allowed on certain sections of the beach (speed limit: 10 mph). In season there's a $20 beach-access fee for cars. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (some with fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: sunrise; surfing; swimming; walking.

Just five minutes from St. Augustine, this site (aka Usina Beach) includes boat ramps, two campsites, and a picnic area with grills. If you'd rather eat in a restaurant, you're in the right spot—a variety of eateries overlook the ocean or the Intracoastal Waterway. Amenities: lifeguards (seasonal); parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: solitude; walking.

Small and scenic, this 1,600-foot stretch of sand is part of a 10-acre park north of Indialantic, about 20 miles south of Cocoa Beach on Route A1A. It has a refreshment stand, volleyball courts, outdoor showers, a beachfront park with pavilions, grills, picnic tables, and lifeguards in summer. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards (seasonal); parking; showers; toilets. Best for: sunrise; swimming; walking.

At the south end of the island, this beach allows you free access to the same gorgeous sands used by vacationers at the nearby Ritz-Carlton. It has a large parking area, a picnic area, barbecue grills, and three lifeguard towers. Amenities: lifeguards (seasonal); parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: sunrise; surfing; swimming; walking.

The southern access for the Canaveral National Seashore, this remote beach has pristine sands and is the longest stretch of undeveloped coast on Florida's Atlantic seaboard. You can, however, see the launch pads at Cape Kennedy from it. Hundreds of giant sea turtles come ashore here from May through August to lay their eggs. Fourteen parking lots anchor the beach at 1-mile intervals. From I–95, take Exit 249 and head east. Bring bug repellent in case of horseflies, and take note: you may see unauthorized clothing-optional activity. Amenities: lifeguards (seasonal); parking (fee); toilets. Best for: solitude; swimming; walking.

Public beach access for non–resort guests is minimal in most areas because of heavily restricted parking. But Mickler's Landing (pronounced Mike-ler), south of most residences and offering free public parking, is a great access point. The beach is also famous as a place to find fossilized sharks' teeth. Amenities: lifeguards (seasonal); parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: solitude; sunrise; walking.

This sleepy little community just south of Patrick Air Force Base, about 15 miles south of Cocoa Beach on Route A1A, sits on a narrow barrier island with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Indian River lagoon on the other. Its beach is protected by dunes, and sea turtles flock here to lay their eggs. A popular spot for family vacations because of its slow pace and lack of crowds, Satellite Beach has several beachfront parks with playgrounds, pavilions, and picnic facilities. One park, which teaches visitors about the importance of the dune system, has boardwalks that meander over the dunes to the beach. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: sunrise; surfing; swimming; walking.

Like Main Beach to the north and Peters Point to the south, Seaside Park allows limited beach driving if you have a permit, but beware—vehicles here frequently get stuck and have to be towed. There are several pavilions with picnic tables and dune walkovers to the beach. It's a great place to fish or to ride bikes at low tide. Bikes and other beach equipment can be rented at The Beach Store and More, right across from the park. Also nearby, Sliders Seaside Grill is a venerable oceanfront restaurant where you can enjoy food and drinks inside or at the tiki bar overlooking the beach, often with live music. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards (seasonal); parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: surfing; swimming; walking.

Just south of Anastasia State Park, this beach has a livelier setting, thanks to the restaurants, bars, and shops along Beachfront Avenue and the 4-acre St. Johns County Ocean Pier Park. The park offers a playground, small splash park, sand volleyball courts, a covered pavilion, and a Wednesday-morning farmers' market. From May to September, Music by the Sea concerts are offered for free. Speaking of free, the beach doesn't charge a fee, but the popular fishing pier does ($6 fishing pass, $2 pier pass for spectators). In addition, there are some areas designated for driving on the beach. Amenities: lifeguards (seasonal); parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: swimming.

This beach, just 2 miles north of St. Augustine, is sandwiched between the Tolomato River and the Atlantic. In the 1920s, it was home to the Grand Vilano Casino, which was destroyed by a hurricane in 1937. Until recently, Vilano Beach had deteriorated into a small, somewhat run-down area, though with a laid-back, '60s, surf vibe. Now, however, it's home to stores and restaurants, the Vilano Beach Fishing Pier, and other community improvements. A Hampton Inn & Suites is within a few minutes' walk. The beach has some nice breakers for surfing—skimboarding is also popular—but strong currents sometimes make it dangerous for swimming. It's also one of the few beaches on which you can still drive a car. Amenities: lifeguards (seasonal); showers; toilets. Best for: solitude; surfing; walking.