In March of 2024 Brevard County Commissioners renamed Coconut Point Park Val M. Steele Park in…read morerecognition of his lifelong dedication to public service and community improvement. Steele served a total of four years as Melbourne Beach Council Member, town commissioner, and later as the mayor of Melbourne Beach. Some if his accomplishments included moving the main county courthouse to Viera, the building of the Spessard Holland Golf Course, and the creation of the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge. He volunteered on the St. Johns Water Management District Board during which he was instrumental in protecting and restoring hundreds of thousands of acres of marshland. He contributed to the economic growth of Brevard as a director of the Bank of Brevard, Atlantic Bank, American Bank of the South, American Mortgage Corporation and Holmes Regional Hospital. Steele passed away on October 12, 2020, at the age of 79. Val M. Steele Park is a 36.9 acre beach park located within the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge complex. I love that the parking is free. It is a popular spot for surfing, beachcombing, and fishing. Park amenities include a picnic shelter, restrooms, and outside showers. One of the two dune crossovers is wheelchair accessible. If you are looing for a beach day, it doesn't get much better than this. This beach park is also a stop on the Great Florida Birding Trail. The primary habitats here are beach dune and coastal strand. Shorebirds on the beach include Black-bellied Plovers, Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderling, Red Knots, Northern Gannets, Bonaparte's Gulls and Great Black-backed Gulls in fall and winter. From late summer through winter look for Magnificent Frigatebirds, and Parasitic and Pomarine Jaegers. In the surf are Common Loons and Lesser Scaup. In addition to the birds this beach area is also an important sea turtle nesting site preserve from spring to fall.

Great covered bbq area with tables. Little beach area so bring a chair and relax for a while too.read more

I was taking an afternoon scenic drive down A1A when I spotted Golden Sands Park and pulled off to…read morecheck it out. This picturesque 6.23 acre oceanfront park is located in northern Indian River County. The park amenities at Golden Sands include beach access with daytime lifeguards, a playground, restroom facilities, showers, picnic pavilions with grills, and always my favorite beach find, free parking. This park is the northern gateway to the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, a key area for sea turtle nesting. During nesting season, May-October, you may even see sea turtles coming ashore or hatchlings making their way to the Atlantic Ocean. This park is well known for its tranquility, family‑friendly amenities, and natural beauty perfect for nature lovers like me.

I love the beach and nature here. It is beautiful. It is nice that they have free parking too…read more Bathrooms are mostly dirty and uncared for well. Nice that they have good showers here. They have a lot of rules here, but the police and lifeguards do not enforce most of the rules here, you always see people smoking, with dogs, fishing, alcohol, surfing in swimming areas, they have a lot of rules here, but do not enforce them at all. There are many signs all over saying no dogs, but people bring them anyway. Today a selfish lawbreaker lady was bringing her dog right on the public beach and it was going to the bathroom, she just covers it with sand. How sanitary is this? Will the next person who lays down there know that their is dog pee and poop there? Be careful where you sit here. We wish the lifeguards would enforce the rules here. The lifeguards are pretty lame about enforcement. Down in Palm Beach, they would blow their whistles and not allow any law breaking, absolutely no dogs are allowed, this county is too lax and allows a lot of lawlessness. Some people are very selfish here too. We just wish the lifeguards who are paid with our tax dollars would stay until 5pm. Often times they leave at 4pm, 4:30pm, 4:45pm, they almost never stay until 5pm like they are paid to, seems unfair showing no work ethic from the lifeguards here, we never saw this happen down in Palm Beach, they stay until the top of the hour as they were paid for the 8 hours. They take advantage and leave early a lot here at this beach and county beaches. The beach is wonderful, it is the people who ruin it for others with their selfishness.

Blockhouse Beach is one of several beaches with free parking along Florida's Space Coast, located…read moreon Patrick Space Force Base. The beach takes its name from the heavily fortified concrete-and-steel blockhouses used during the early Space Race. Throughout the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs, these structures served as protected observation and control points for monitoring rocket launches from Cape Canaveral. Afterward, the surrounding area was designated as a recreational beach for military personnel and their families. The area is also steeped in military history. What is now Patrick Space Force Base began as Naval Air Station Banana River, established in 1939 as an anti-submarine patrol and training base. During World War II, this stretch of Florida's Atlantic coastline was actively patrolled to defend against German U-boats operating offshore. Today, Blockhouse Beach offers free public parking directly across from the entrance to Patrick Space Force Base. A wooden boardwalk crosses the coastal dunes and leads to a wide, uncrowded stretch of sandy beach. It's a favorite destination for surfing, fishing, swimming, and is known for a quieter beach experience. The beach is also one of the area's popular spots for watching air shows and rocket launches from nearby Cape Canaveral.

This location may not be as popular as all the other beaches, but it's quiet and super convenient…read morefor bird and nature enthusiast. There's no fee to get in and there are showers available. It's really cool inconvenience how it's located across the street from Patrick Air Force Base, which is the current location for the United States space force

Pineda Beach is one of several beautiful beaches along Florida's Space Coast. Located in the…read morecharming 1950s era beach town of Satellite Beach, about 10 miles south of Patrick Space Force Base, it offers a quieter alternative to some of the area's more popular beaches. Satellite Beach is a small coastal city on a barrier island in Brevard County, between the Atlantic Ocean and the Banana River. Pineda Beach takes its name from the original mainland village of Pineda, which was established in the 1890s. The town was located a few miles inland along the Florida East Coast Railway near present-day Suntree. Developers E.C. and Anna Dearborn surveyed and subdivided the community in November 1894, making it one of the earliest settlements in this part of Brevard County. The area's military history is equally significant. What is now Patrick Space Force Base began as Naval Air Station Banana River in 1939, serving as an anti-submarine patrol and training base. During World War II, this stretch of coastline was actively monitored to protect against German U-boats operating off the Atlantic coast. In the 1970s, Brevard County completed the four-lane Pineda Causeway (State Road 404), which spans the Indian River and Banana River. The causeway provides direct access to the barrier islands, Patrick Space Force Base, and the surrounding beaches, making Pineda Beach much more accessible. Today, Pineda Beach is known for its uncrowded wide, white sand shoreline and typically calm surf. Amenities include free parking with approximately 35 spaces, an outdoor rinse shower, a covered picnic pavilion with a table, and a boardwalk that crosses the dunes through native coastal vegetation before reaching the beach. There is no lifeguard on duty, so visitors should swim at their own risk. A life ring is available for emergencies. If the parking lot is full, don't worry because there are several other public beach access points just a short drive up or down the coast.

This was our first time to Pineda Beach in Satellite Beach…read more Pros: Free Parking Restrooms - spacious to change too Showers Short Walk to Beach Spacious Beach Cons: Stairs are steep about 15-20 straight up and down steps. No ramp for wheels(wagon, stroller, wheel chair) with 20 steps it is impossible. Not Dog Friendly There is one female restroom and one male restroom Still a lovely visit and I do love that Satellite Beaches are a hop, skip, and jump from the parking lot. Cocoa beach beaches to parking lots at least the ones we have been to are quite far. I think I would return to this beach again. I was happy that the restrooms and shower were conveniently available.

Tables Beach is one of several lovely beaches along Florida's Space Coast. Located just north of…read morePatrick Space Force Base, the beach gets its name from the distinctive concrete picnic tables found in the park area beside the sand. The history of this stretch of coastline is especially interesting. Following the Civil War, the area became home to a settlement of newly freed slaves seeking to build new lives. However, a devastating hurricane in 1885 discouraged further development. During World War II, the beach served as part of a military coastal patrol zone, and by the 1960s it had gained popularity as a local surfing destination. Today, Tables Beach provides a peaceful alternative to the areas busier beaches. Visitors can enjoy a quiet, uncrowded shoreline along with amenities, including restrooms, outdoor showers, a picnic pavilion, a wooden boardwalk leading to the beach, and a sand volleyball court. Note that there are no lifeguards on duty. While parking is free, it can fill up quickly, especially on weekends and holidays.

It is about 10mins south of the usual beach area we go to (Alan Shepard, Lori Wilson) but well…read moreworth the drive starting with the fact that the beach is closer to parking area. This means less steps to take loaded with a cooler, a tent, a beach bag, a chair, a beach ball and your kid in tow. But take note there's limited "FREE" parking. I'd mentally estimate 40 parking spaces. There's a shower to wash off the sand on your way back to the car. There's a gazebo by the parking lot good for groups with benches and tables. Now for the beach...they're as Cocoa Beach in look, feel as it is compared to Alan Shepard & Lori Wilson.

Aside from Key West, this little city on the Indian River provides so many fun memories for my…read morefamily. Ate in a few of the mom & pop eateries and retail shops along Sebastian Blvd and then proceeded to the Captain Hirams resort to spend tonight. A live classic rock cover band played for us while relaxing with some cold brews. On Sunday morning alot of retail and cafes are closed but we took a stroll to Riverview Park and admired the Veterans Memorial. Great weekend in Sebastian and will return soon.

Growing up in Florida I wandered all over the state visiting beaches. I had my Corvair and then my…read morewhite Camaro with the surfboard on top! I'd get up early go get my friends and we would head to Sebastian Inlet sometimes. It's a beautiful clean beach area. There's Great food, boating, fishing sunbathing and hiking through the parks! I suggest you go for at least a three night vacation.

When you have to stop you have to stop so it's comforting to know that a 24 hour rest stop is…read moresprinkled every 43 minutes or so down I 95. I prefer the food court style rest area of the turnpike but these work too in a pinch. When you enter the rest stop cars go to the front and trucks to the back. This rest stop is located northbound in Brevard County at mile marker 168 in Grant-Valkaria, Florida. It is typical of the kind you find on I-95. You have clean bathrooms, covered picnic tables, and vending machines. People who need to walk their dogs can do so in a designated area. I do enjoy paying a visit to the vending machines. They now take debit cards instead of just coins and the prices for items are still reasonable. You can get a variety of candy bars, cookies, chips, and pop as well as a hot cup of coffee. This rest stop has plenty of clean bathrooms which is a big plus. Near the rest areas is the usual disturbing bulletin boards featuring missing kids and the poisonous snakes of Florida. While necessary information neither topic gives travelers a comforting feeling. Also by the bathrooms are the travel magazines containing coupons and adds for hotels or attractions. They seem kind of antiquated since you can easily get all of the information off of your smart phone without having to page through a magazine. While I 95 rest stops are basic they get the job done so you can get back on the road quickly and on to better places.

Huge rest area. Bathrooms are hands free and had Tons of toilets including handicap and separate…read morefamily room. Nice and clean too. Security on premises. Loads of parking, big rig spaces in the back. Vending machines. Service pets only (would have been a 5 star rating if pet friendly) Plenty of space to walk around and stretch your legs. Lots of big covered picnic pavilions, perfect for large groups. Power receptacles all about for a good charge. Really nice rest stop.

2nd Light Beach is one of several beaches along Florida's Space Coast located on Patrick Space…read moreForce Base. The beach gets its name from its location, it's at the second traffic light south of Cocoa Beach. The area has a lot of military history. What is now Patrick Space Force Base was originally established as Naval Air Station Banana River in 1939 as an anti-submarine patrol and training base. During World War II, this stretch of coastline was actively patrolled to guard against the threat of German U-boats operating off the Atlantic coast. Today, 2nd Light Beach is best known as a favorite spot for local surfers. Parking is free, and a wooden boardwalk provides easy access from the parking lot to the shoreline. The beach's firm sand and consistent waves have earned it a reputation as one of the best surfing spots in the Cocoa Beach area. There are no restrooms, although an outdoor shower is available. The limited amenities help keep the crowds down. 2nd Light is a quieter, less crowded beach popular with surfers.