Ormond Beach, Florida -- A Hide-away Stuck In The 1960s

Trippin Cross Florida into Tree-Hugger Territory
Looking for a place that feels like North Carolina but it's closer than Disney? Sometimes we just need a last-minute getaway from South Florida, a hideaway thats not as complicated as booking a cruise weeks ahead. It took a local to clue us in about Ormond Beach, a straight four hour drive north.

Ormond Beach branches off of Daytona Beach and lies one hour south of St. Augustine. Imagine that you could fill in the canals and go back to Fort Lauderdale in the 1960s. Thats Ormond Beach, where the locals resist attempts to widen A-1-A beyond two lanes and walking and biking trails still abound lined with huge trees and fishing ponds.

We stayed in the inexpensive Quality Inn on the beach in Daytona. We werent impressed by the sand quality but the nearly empty beaches are relaxing, and the hotel room was large, bright, clean, plus had a mini fridge. We went by car to explore the Loop made popular by hundreds of thousands of motorcycle riders. It has an awesome beauty and has an abundance of opportunities for enjoying nature on foot or boat. (Search: The Loop Daytona and youll see plenty of tours).

For nightlife, count on driving four miles south from Ormond to the River (the Intracoastal is called the Indian River in these parts). Downtown Daytona has the culture and the nightlife. This is restaurant row with great views, slightly above-par bar-quality food and totally delightful. Look for swings outside at Joes Place. Some of the best key lime pie east of Orlando is found on this menu along with live music and welcome breezes.
Daytona Beach is quiet when there are no sports events; Ormond Beach even more so. However, the huge homes, expanses of preserved nature areas and literally empty beaches make it a pleasant relaxing place to explore. The local golf club is welcoming and surrounded by forest. Additionally, Daytonas downtown is undergoing a major facelift. The Florida chapter of the US Womens Tennis Association will have a nearby state headquarters there, and Harley Davidson is also opening a huge facility.
We were surprised to learn that deals in real estate can be found within 3000 feet of the beach, such as small two bedroom, two bath homes for under $200,000. A plus is that this coastal area hasnt been hit by a full hurricane in the past century. And the people are just, shucks, friendly. Most of us leave the car running and the front door unlocked, according to a Fort Lauderdale native who moved to Ormond in 2001. In fact, we met a number of previous Broward residents there who still keep alive a 1960s attitude and living style. Ormonds still a bit in the past. Not for everyone, but a nice change for some. Other web sites that provide some info: www.daytonachamber.com and www.savetheloop.org/

By JK McCrea
www.Roadlovers.com a travel site