Cocoa Beach, Florida - review

Theme parks aren't Central Florida's only attractions worth raving about. Step away from the hustle and bustle of the visitor corridor and head to the east coast. The 60 minute drive from Orlando will land you smack dab in the middle of wide, sandy beaches, surf shops and an the energized surf scene.

Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach, home to "I Dream of Jeanne" back in the days of the Space Race, is one of Florida's best known beaches. Both Florida natives and visitors from around the world flock here to visit the giant surf shops, ride the waves and charter fishing boats out into the Atlantic. Start your day early to grab a prime spot at the heart of the strip for prime people watching. Most likely by 11 a.m., a sea of umbrellas have already been planted and rows of sand castles tended by little kids dominate the shore line.

The closest beach access from Orlando, directly of Highway 520, is at Alan Shepherd Park (211 E Cocoa Beach Causeway, Cocoa Beach). From March 1 to Labor Day, parking is $10 and prevents you from having to cross busy streets while lugging beach gear. After traversing the boardwalk connecting the park and the beach, you can survey the vast open beach for the perfect spot. Don't fret if you didn't bring much beach gear from home on your trip, there are plenty of places to buy a cheap beach towel, sunscreen, extra swim suits and things to build the perfect sand castle. Ron Jon Surf Shop (4151 N. Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach/321-799-8888) not only rents surfboards, but comfy beach chairs and umbrellas (from $4 to $40) to make your beach experience more pleasant.

So, you want to learn to surf. Cocoa Beach may not have the big­gest or most gnarly waves, but they are often perfect for beginners and offer plenty of challenges for the seasoned surfer. After all, one of the best surfers in the world, Kelly Slater, is a Cocoa beach native who got his professional start on this beach. Boards, available from a variety of locations including Cocoa Beach Surf Company (199 E Cocoa Beach Causeway, Cocoa Beach/321-799-9921), can be rented for hours at a time or an entire week. Fiberglass and foam surfboards generally range from $5 to $100. If you prefer to explore by boat, one and two person kayaks are also available by the hour or week and range from $25 to $150 depending on how much time you use them for. For kids looking for their own activity- skimboards and body-boards are available from $5 to $50 for up to a week's rental.

When you've ingested enough salt water from various surfing attempts and sunburn is threatening to beat your SPF, take a break from the sun and be one of the expected two million people who explore the cavernous Ron Jon Surf Shop. The surf-and-sand-lifestyle haven features two levels, its own waterfall, and 52,000 square feet filled with surf gear and souvenirs.

After loading up with drink coozies, beach towels and tiki-themed Christmas lights, jot northward on A1A to the Cocoa Beach Pier (401 Meade Avenue, Cocoa Beach/321-868-2990), which stretches 800 feet over the Atlantic and is made up of 2.5 miles of boardwalk planks. But don't worry, this is no rickety structure, built in 1962, the giant pier is reinforced with 270 pilings each measuring up to 40 feet in length. There is plenty to do here with five bars, four restaurants, an ice cream shop and an array of shops, A local favorite at the Pier is the Atlantic Ocean Grille, which has been deemed the "Best is Brevard" and "Best Restaurant with a View" more than once by Florida Today newspaper readers. And, if you're fortunate to be at the pier on the right day, it is one of the best spots in Cocoa Beach to watch a shuttle launch. But if Houston isn't good to go the night you're visiting, opt to visit the Kennedy Space Center north of Cocoa Beach near Titusville. There you will see actual spacecraft designed by NASA, touch a moon rock and even have lunch with a real astronaut. To get an idea of what it really feels like to be launched into space on the space shuttle, get in line for the must-see Shuttle Launch Experience attraction.

After the sun sets and your skin is noticeably darker from your day in the rays, top off a long day with a bargain night of free drinks and Blackjack on the open seas on SunCruz Casino in Port Canaveral for $8 a person. The 300 feet long floating casino with four decks, is home to more than 700 slot machines and 35 table games Slot prices range from 2 cents to $25 with table bets from $2 to $1,000. You must be 18 to board and 21 to drink. Cruises leave at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily.

If a drive back to Orlando isn't in the cards, contact the Space coast Office of Tourism before 5 p.m. for a list of hotels in the area (430 Brevard Avenue, Suite 150, Cocoa Village/321-433-4470), or visit its website (space-coast.com) for more Space Coast activities. After a good night's rest and another coating of sunscreen, you may be tempted to do it over again the next day.©