Fodor's Expert Review Cocoa Beach

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.