BROCHURE copy written for Space Coast Office of Tourism

Beach towns along 72 miles of sand and surf
        

Brevard County is geographically desirable if you’re a beach and beach town lover. From the National Canaveral Seashore to Sebastian Inlet, the Space Coast’s 72 miles of sand and surf make for perfect beach retreats.

Because the county’s coastline features a great diversity of protected areas, parks and beach towns, every taste, preference and mood can be met somewhere along Brevard’s lengthy Atlantic coast. It’s no wonder that State Road 528, a major channel into the Space Coast, is called the Beachline.

Playalinda Beach at the Cape Canaveral National Seashore is undoubtedly the most pristine of Brevard’s beaches.  Numerous small parking sites along the beach offer access to beach walkways over the protected beach’s high dunes.  The seashore’s close proximity to the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge makes a trip to Playalinda a “two for one” for nature fans. Because Playalinda is in a protected area with limited development you should stock up your cooler with needed supplies before visiting.

In addition to featuring an abundance of graceful sea oats and thriving sea grapes, Playalinda offers glimpses at Space Shuttle launch towers, the Vehicle Assembly Building and other space program facilities in the distance.

On the opposite side of the beach-retreat spectrum is the City of Cape Canaveral just south of Port Canaveral. Cape Canaveral features the classic family and date-night fun of miniature golf, arcade games and other amusements featured at Jungle Village and Funtasia. Informal Cape Canaveral restaurants like Kelsey’s and Zachary’s cater to visitors.

When you’re ready to hit the beach itself try Cherry Down Park or one of the numerous beach access ramps with parking in Cape Canaveral.

Cocoa Beach, the next beach town south down State Road A1A, offers shopping and dining galore all along its well-maintained thoroughfare as well as at The Cocoa Beach Pier.

The Pier itself is a complete destination with one-stop shopping, dining, fishing, beach access and people watching. Seadogs provides everything from beach rentals to suntan lotion. After you’ve had enough sun and fun, pier gift shops offer the chance to stock up on clothing and souvenirs.

For casual dining and snacks, the pier offers Ricky’s Ice Cream Parlor & Arcade, Oh Shucks Seafood Bar, and Marlins Good Times Bar & Grill. If you’re just thirsty or hankering for entertainment, there’s The Boardwalk and the unique Mai Tiki Bar, which is perched at the end of the 800-foot pier. The Atlantic Ocean Grille offers air-conditioned fine dining with a spectacular view.

Fine dining in Cocoa Beach is also featured at The Mango Tree, The Heidelberg German Restaurant, Yen Yen, Bernard’s Surf and Gregory’s Steak House and Seafood Grill. Excellent casual dining restaurants include Roberto’s Little Havana and Slow and Low Barbeque.

For nightly entertainment Coconut’s on the Beach is the place to sip frozen drinks, watch the ocean and hear great cover bands. Heidi’s Jazz Club caters to discriminating jazz fans with both standards and straight-ahead jazz. Gregory’s offers a series of Groucho’s Comedy Club acts.

Ron Jon Surf Shop and the Cocoa Beach Surf Co. are the largest of an abundance of beach-and-surf wear and gear shops in Cocoa Beach. Ron Jon also features a water sports shop and surf museum.

While Cocoa Beach has become a household name, other Space Coast beach towns are worth checking out. Side-by-side Satellite Beach and Indian Harbor Beach feature great beachfront parks like Howard E. Futch Memorial Park at Paradise Beach and Canova Beach Park. Casual dining at delicious seafood restaurants like Goombay’s and dancing into the night at beachfront nightclubs like Lou’s Blues also shouldn’t be missed.

Just south on A1A Indialantic’s Fifth Avenue puts an upscale spin on the beach town theme with its well-appointed restaurants and clubs like Andiamo and City Tropics. Fifth Avenue as it ends at Sea Turtle Park features a striking Mediterranean style complex with a Starbucks, Marble Slab Creamery and Quizno’s.

The park is a hugely popular community gathering area where visitors and locals gather for conversation on the sunny boardwalk as well as sunbathing, swimming and surfing on the beach.

The Town of Melbourne Beach offers a small but memorable selection of restaurants and shops and is known for its quaint historic character. The Melbourne Beach Pier is excellent for both fishing and long walks, and Dijon’s Chop House is a favorite for fine dining.

Nautical Collections on Ocean Avenue is worth making the trip to Melbourne Beach in and of itself as the gift shop features an abundance of shells native to this area as well as more exotic offerings. Mermaid figurine fans will find plenty of lovely choices at the shop.

And if you make it to the southern reaches of the county, there’s no place with a wider variety of top bands than the Sebastian Beach Inn. Sebastian Inlet. Further south, at the Brevard County line Sebastian Inlet offers long stretches of undeveloped beaches as well as a state park renown for its fishing.