There are surprisingly few delineated beach parks in Daytona. But as befitting a town with the word beach in its name, there’s still plenty of sun and sand to be found; at low tide, the beach can be up to 500 feet wide, and despite the fact that hotels and condos loom over most of it, there are no private beaches in Daytona—only private parking.

Those looking for large crowds should head for the area around the pier or Sun Splash Park (611 S. Atlantic Ave.), which features a playground, restrooms, and showers as well as an interactive water fountain that’s sure to keep the young ones entranced. More relaxed, though not pastoral, spots can be found closer to the less-dense areas near Daytona Beach Shores and other points south.

There are more than 1,000 public parking spaces near the beach; in Daytona Beach proper, your best bet is to head for the Ora Street Park (800 Ora St., near the Daytona Beach Bandshell); in Daytona Beach Shores, Frank Rendon Park has almost 150 parking spots, a playground, and picnic and restroom facilities.