south of St. Augustine/north of Melbourne
 

We're looking for a beach town along the Atlantic coast that is low-key and non-glitzy, casual dining, with a bit of old Florida - some condos (as we'll be renting one) - but not masses of highrises.
We'll be there at the end of March, so avoiding the spring break crowd is a must.
We want to explore the area from Ocala to the Kennedy Space Center, Canaveral State Park, maybe Disney World.
There'll be 6 of us - 2 seniors, 2 parents, 2 kids - 12 and 15.
Any condo info much appreciated too.
Thanks.

Oops! - that's Canaveral National Seashore

Anybody???

I think you might enjoy Crescent Beach, which is just south of St. Augustine. http://beacherslodge.com/images/cont...taugustine.pdf

There is a nice beach, good restaurants and no high-rises more than 6 stories or rowdy spring-breakers.

There is some condo info here: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic...e_Florida.html Also, Coastal Realty does condo rentals: http://www.coastalrealtyfl.com/

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Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie

Also look at Flagler Beach (in between St. Augustine and Daytona) or Ponce Inlet (south of Daytona).

Thanks Vic and 321go.
Both look like good possibilities.
We have a friend with a condo we could rent in Palm Coast. Do you know anything about that location?
We also heard about New Smyrna Beach. How does that compare?

Cocoa Beach

New Smyrna Beach has everything you are looking for, and the location (just south of Daytona) is perfect for the things you are interested in seeing. We have owned a condo there since 2004 and love the family atmosphere. We do not rent our unit, but you can find many that do. Request the "no-driving" part of the beach. I can suggest you look at Moontide, or Ebb Tide as possible rental condos. Ebb Tide would be my first choice.

O.K., here is where I disagree with nonni97. Just Google "shark bite capital of the world" and see what you get. Here is an example: http://www.boardistan.com/?p=24061

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Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie

!!!!!

Just FYI, Palm Coast is a planned development on the mainland, not the barrier island, so not on the beach.

Cocoa Beach has spring-breakers and high rises. It is NOT laid-back, old Florida. Although the 12 and 15-year-olds would like it.

New Smyrna is popular and nice. Palm Coast, no.

As an alternative, you might consider going farther south, to Melbourne Beach/Sebastian Inlet. It has what you're looking for, and is about 90 mins. from Disney/Orlando.

Now Vic don't go scaring everyone. Most of the shark bites happen near Ponce inlet around the jetties where the sharks feed since there is an abundance of fish. It is mostly surfers that use that part of the beach because of the wave action created by the inlet/jetties. I have been going to NSB since 1975 and have never seen a shark.

The condo on Palm Coast I mentioned is Cinnamon Beach so yes, it's on the ocean as are several more complexes. Just wondered if the area has much besides condos.
BTW - Cape Cod has sharks too - they just love the seals! Though I've never seen them leaping!
Thanks for all the suggestions.
Must make the decision soon!

"you might consider going farther south, to Melbourne Beach/Sebastian Inlet. It has what you're looking for, and is about 90 mins. from Disney/Orlando."

This was my thought too. It's pretty sleepy down there, but it isn't touristy at all. Indialantic is a little more built up but still pretty low key as well.

Cocoa Beach's spring breakers tend to be a families, but there are a lot of them in March, and I agree with niente that it's busier than what you're looking for.

The condos you mention must not be in the city of Palm Coast, but outside it on the barrier island. There are a number of beachside golf developments in that area, so if you enjoy golf, there's that. Generally the area is a typical Florida planned development - lots of residential areas and chain restaurants and stores.