Ormond Beach: The Alternative to Daytona Beach

The cold weather at the moment undoubtedly has many people wishing they were on a warm beach somewhere. Since our minds are already there, I thought this would be a good time to talk about one of my favorite lesser known beaches.

Daytona Beach, FL is well known for many reasons. The fact that it is well known obviously means that it is going to be very crowded. More popular beaches, such as this one, also tend to be a little less fun in my opinion. While I don’t particularly mind crowds, I also don’t want to get trampled while trying to enjoy the beach.

Ormond Beach, FL

Ormond Beach is the neighbor of Daytona Beach. It is smaller, less crowded, and has an overall smaller beach town feel.

Where to Stay

While there are no shortages of options when you are looking for a place to stay in Ormond, I’d like to share with you my personal favorite. The Lotus Boutique Inn & Suites has always treated me well. It isn’t crazy expensive, yet it is right on the beach. It has a “beach hotel” feel, which I love. The rooms are nice, there is a pool, and the hotel is pet friendly. I couldn’t really ask for more.

What to Eat

While you will of course have your options of the usual chain restaurants, there are also some great local places that you may want to check out.

Charlie Horse Restaurant 

 

River Grille

 

Riptides Raw Bar & Grill

Things to Do

If you want a little break from the beach, here are some other things you can check out in the area!

The Casements

The Casements mansion is know as “The Jewel of Ormond Beach.” Once home to the writer John D. Rockefeller, it has been restored and now functions as the Cultural Center for the City of Ormond Beach. Open Monday – Saturday.

Andy Romano Beachfront Park

This four acre park stretches across the beach. A great place to relax that offers picnic tables, gazebos, outdoor grills, a splash pad and of course beach access.

Ormond Brewing Company

Stop by to sample some locally brewed beer. There is no food served here, but they encourage you to bring your own! They have a large outdoor patio and beer garden for you to enjoy. Friday and Saturday nights feature live music.

 

Have you visited Ormond Beach? What’s your favorite lesser known beach?

-Haley

10 thoughts on “Ormond Beach: The Alternative to Daytona Beach”

  1. kagould17 – Not much to tell. After working for 3 companies over 43+ years (38 years 7 months with my last company), I finally got that promotion I had waited my entire career for……retirement. I have been exploring this new career for the past 7+ years and while it is not always exciting, the chance to do what I want for myself and my family instead of what my company wants has been very fulfilling. Early on, there was a long list of projects in my “to-do” hopper and I attacked these projects with a vengeance for the first 9 months of retirement. Eventually, my brain told me that this was not what retirement was about, so it took me another 5 months before my industriousness again took over and I attacked another line of projects, this time somewhat shorter and less complicated, as well as many new projects related to the family weddings in 2016. After going hard for 6 weeks and 3 weddings, my body was telling me to relax, then the flu bug hit and as soon as that was done with me, my sciatic acted up. No rest for the wicked. In 2020 and 2021, the Covid 19 pandemic changed the whole retirement gig. I was lucky to not be still working, for sure. I enjoy photography, gardening, working with my hands, walking, cycling, skiing, travelling, reading and creating special photo and video productions obtained in my first pastime. I may never become wealthy in any of these pursuits, but I already feel I am rich in life experiences far beyond any expectation.
    kagould17 says:

    We’ve only been to Florida once as we are on the West side of Canada and Florida is a bit of a trip for us. Not much for simply laying on a beach, but enjoy walks and scenery from beach as well as the local culture, which Ormond seems to have. If you ever want to find a place with miles and miles of deserted beaches, try New Zealand. The variety of beaches and scenery on both islands is stunning. Our favourite walk there is Mangawhai (pronounce Mong-a-fie) Heads. It starts on the beach, climbs along a high scenic cliff line and then drops back down to the beach where you can watch the cormorants dive. Here is the link to my 2014 post, if you are interested.

    https://wordpress.com/post/retiredanddownunda.wordpress.com/109

    Reply
  2. jammajo – My passion has always been travel. I want to read about it, live it through others who go, and I want to go. See new things, new places, different things that stretch my boundaries, both physically and emotionally. As I look to a new season of life, retirement, I could sit back and let my last third just dribble away. I want to push myself to be uncomfortable with new people, places and cultures that stretch me into who I've never been before. Will you join me? Lisa
    jammajo says:

    Your sentiments about quieter beaches and small time beach towns, mirror mine exactly. I’m putting this one on my go-to list!

    Reply
  3. LivingOnTheDiagonal – Find me at LivingOnTheDiagonal.com where I blog about my relationship to nature, family, and the world around me in prose and poetry--with a few photos and recipes thrown in for good measure.
    LivingOnTheDiagonal says:

    Great post–informative and succinct.

    Reply

  4. Years ago we visited the area near Saint Augustine. Coming from California I was shocked and disheartened to see cars driving up and down the beach. Does this still happen?

    Reply

  6. We went to the opposite coast yesterday, cedar key, but next weekend it may be ormond or st augustine. Just the sound of the waves is so relaxing

    Reply
  7. MichaelStephenWills – Ithaca, New York 14850 – My photographic style centers on the use of natural light to visualize emotion and evoke memory. The evolution of my style began early in the year 2002, with an imperative to capture personal and fleeting memories. My son and I traveled to New York City, to view the first Saint Patrick's Day parade after September 11, 2001. My work from that parade was so successful and satisfying (see "New York Fire Department, Saint Patrick's Day 2002") I just never stopped.
    MichaelStephenWills says:

    The National Seashore is incredible.

    Reply

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