Daytona Beach Florida

When someone says Daytona, one of three things may spring to mind. If it's cars it's the Daytona International Speedway and the 500, the opening race of the NASCAR Nextel Cup season. If you're a motorcycle fan thoughts of Bike Week and Biketoberfest flood you mind. And if you're a college student there is yet another vision because Daytona Beach is well-known for its beaches and subsequent spring breakers.

Daytona Beach's vibrant shoreline, lined with hotels, motels, condominiums and houses, attracts over 8 million tourists each year. Hotel and motel rooms in all price ranges are typically plentiful except during special events. One of the best things about the beach is that you can drive on it. The speed limit is 10 miles per hour and you have to stay away from the dunes, but the sand is hard packed enough to support your car. If you've never driven on the beach before, it's really a kick!

At the east end of Main Street in Daytona Beach sits a landmark that has stood for 106 Years, the Daytona Beach Pier, also known as the Main Street Pier. Read Daytona Beach Pier Offers the View of Florida's Fun Coast »

Daytona's wide beaches of smooth, packed sand attracted automobile and motorcycle racers beginning in 1902, when pioneers in the industry used it for high-speed car testing and racing. Daytona Beach quickly became a Mecca for racing enthusiasts testing their inventions, earning the nickname "The Birthplace of Speed". On March 8, 1936, the first stock car race was held on the Daytona Beach Road Course. In 1959, William France created Daytona International Speedway to replace the beach course. Though racing on the sand is part of Daytona Beach history, automobiles are still permitted on the beach at slow speeds.

Bike Week and Biketoberfest draw motorcycle enthusiasts to Daytona each year. Bike Week, held in early March, draws 600,000 bikers and friends for over 10 days of fun. Biketoberfest, as the name suggests, hosts 100,000 guests on a weekend in the latter part of October.
More About Bike Week and Biketoberfest »

Some other Special events that draw year round visitors to Daytona Beach include:

Approximately 12 miles south of Daytona Beach, Ponce de Leon Inlet offers fishing from its pier, walking along its beach and even driving up to its jetty from the beach. The lighthouse is located near the inlet and is the tallest lighthouse in Florida. Take a tour for a spectacular view of the Atlantic Ocean!
More About Ponce Inlet »
More About Ponce Inlet Lighthouse »

Named for its founder, Matthias Day, Daytona Beach was settled in 1870 and incorporated in 1876. The towns of Daytona, Daytona Beach and Seabreeze were combined to form Daytona Beach in 1926. By then Daytona Beach had been dubbed "The World's Most Famous Beach."

From the end of the Civil War in 1865, Florida's tourism has boomed. Even today, tourism remains one of the main sources of income for the people who live in Daytona Beach. As of 2004, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates Daytona Beach's population to be 64,422.

Daytona Beach is a year-round resort area. But did you know it is also a college town? Daytona Beach is home to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Bethune-Cookman College, Daytona Beach Community College, and Keiser College's Daytona Beach Campus.

Being a college town helps keep the housing affordable, especially in the areas around the schools. However, there is also exclusive housing available along the Halifax River, and in other areas further out from the city center.

Daytona Beach is only an hour from Orlando and all its major attractions. Daytona Beach is also home to the headquarters of the LPGA. When you visit, there's one thing in Daytona you won't want to miss: RACING! No wonder Daytona Beach is such a popular vacation destination!