**INITIAL REVIEW**…read more Despite its association to NASA and the space program in general, the Space Coast is also known for its stretch of beaches, too. From the popularity of Paradise Beach, the iconic locale of Playalinda, and the history of Cocoa Beach, it is safe to say the Space Coast is known for that sandy stretch of land where the land meets the ocean. However, there is one beach that locales truly know about, one that is also historic as it is the official location Juan Ponce de Leon landed. If you ever get the chance to, you should definitely spend some time at Juan Ponce de Leon Landing Beach. Though an address is provided, Juan Ponce de Leon Landing Beach - which I will simply call Ponce de Leon for the remainder of this review - seems to be located equisdistant from many major tourist areas. In short, it seems to be in between Sebastian Inlet and Historic Melbourne Beach. It should also be noted there is quite a distance between Strawbridge and Wabasso Bridge, ergo one of my criticisms is how long it might take to get to this beach, especially if you live directly across the river. Ponce de Leon is not hard to miss. Driving either way on A1A a.k.a. Jimmy Buffett Memorial Hwy., the entrance features a statue of Juan Ponce de Leon. There is an art gazebo which also has the public restrooms and showers, along with four piers leading to the beach. The beach is very beautiful with mostly-untouched white sand and the well-known Atlantic salty green ocean water. It doesn't seem much, but for us locales, the best part of Ponce de Leon is that despite its historic lore, it is not bombarded by tourists. This is one of those beaches the locals have to themselves. So if you want your peace and quiet mixed with having the waves to yourself for bodyboarding and surfing, this is the beach for you. Ultimately, I am going to give Ponce de Leon four stars out of five for this review. It is a simple, yet beautiful beach with a decent number of anemeties, and some individuality (the statue for example) to mark it as its own. You can't go wrong going to one of the beaches known as a hidden jewels amongst the locals.

On our way back from Sebastian Inlet State Park we stopped at Ponce de Leon Landing Historical Park…read morealong the A1A Route along the Atlantic Ocean in Florida! There is a statue, bathrooms, free parking for Beach Access! It's a very nice location!

My first time going to Cocoa Beach, I was hit with the paid parking, and I didn't like that,…read moreespecially since I planned on spending the whole day at the beach. After doing some research, I found out that there are public parking lots, which was great to know. That's when I came across Lori Wilson Park, which has both North and South parking lots. I decided to go with the North side. It was close to the restrooms, and it was just a quick walk across the bridge straight to the beach. There are three beach entrances on this side, and they also have showers right at the entrance where you can rinse off the sand after leaving the beach. There is also a South side with more parking, but for me, the North side just looked more appealing. As you enter the North side, there's a playground to the left where the kids can play. I thought this was really convenient for parents who want to let their children burn off some energy before heading to the beach. Between the playground and the beach, that sounds like a great day for a kid! On this side, there was also a lifeguard, as well as someone renting sunbeds, umbrellas, and surfboards. It seemed like they had pretty much everything you would need for a great beach day. I brought my own tent and chairs, so that worked out just fine for me. But having the rentals right there is really convenient if you don't want to deal with the hassle of bringing everything yourself. The beach was great! The waves were a little rough, but not so rough that you couldn't get in the water and enjoy yourself. There was also a surfing competition going on while I was there. There seemed to be people of all ages participating, so that was really cool to watch and added something extra to the day. Another great beach day accomplished!

When visiting this beautiful 32.43-acre oceanfront park it is to picture that this was once an…read moreunofficial city dump. Standing among the sea oats and beach, it's almost impossible to imagine that this land was neglected until the mid 1970s. The park owes its transformation to the vision and determination of Lori Wilson, an attorney, Florida State Senator, and passionate environmental advocate. After moving to Florida in 1960, Wilson served in the Florida Senate from 1973 to 1978, becoming only the third woman and the first Independent to hold the office. She was a strong supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment and championed numerous environmental causes, working with organizations such as Save Our Waterways, the National Association of County Officials Environmental Steering Committee, and the Central Florida Zoological Society. Senator Wilson was a visionary and she was determined to restore this stretch of coastline organized a massive community cleanup. Local youth organizations, including the Boys & Girls Clubs, spent weeks removing trash, planting native vegetation, and restoring it back to its natural condition. In appreciation for her leadership and dedication, the grateful community voted to name the restored park in her honor. Today, Lori Wilson Park is one of Cocoa Beach's most popular beach parks. The Mansfield Maritime Hammock which is stop on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, features a .6-mile interpretive boardwalk through a protected coastal canopy filled with native plants. It is an important stopover for migratory birds. Dog lovers will appreciate the spacious 32,000-square-foot fenced off-leash dog park, which opened in 2006 through a partnership between Cocoa Beach and Brevard County. More recent improvements include upgraded dune crossovers built with durable composite materials, a renovated dog park, and modernized restrooms and outdoor shower facilities. The park also is where you can find I Dream of Jeannie Lane named in 1996 in honor of the TV show I Dream of Jeannie, a TV show about a genie in love with an astronaut that aired from 1965 to 1970 and was fictionally set in Cocoa Beach. The historical marker was added in 2012. I appreciated that the parking is free and there is easy beach access. I also enjoyed my time exploring the maritime Hammock. Thanks to Lori Wilson residents and visitors can enjoy ocean access, nature walks, and a place for off leash dog play. Lori Wilson Park is an inspiring example of what a community can accomplish when they pull together.

A time was had @ Cocoa Beach! The beach was beautiful, & the waves were so much fun. I really…read moreenjoyed being in the water, playing in the waves, & taking in the relaxing beach vibes. The waves were the best part of my day! It was a perfect place to spend some time by the water, relax, & I def enjoyed this beach! I'll be back just to jump in the waves!

Beautiful clean beach. Lifeguard towers, restaurants along the beach, lots of free parking & a…read moreperfect place to spend the day. Cocoa Beach is a city on Florida's Space Coast, known for its beaches, surfing & proximity to the Kennedy Space Center. It offers a variety of attractions, including the Cocoa Beach Pier, massive Ron Jon Surf Shop, Lori Wilson Park & water based activities like kayaking and boat tours, with a laid-back, family-friendly atmosphere that attracts tourists & retirees.

The best part about this place is being able to reserve parking online. If you do that, from what I…read moreunderstand, you are guaranteed entry. Bonus, if there is a line waiting for the booth and someone scans your QR code before that, you can just swing around them and enter if there is room. You still get a great view of SpaceX though those pads are about as far to the north as you can get. The real reason to go here would be for any boosters coming down to the LZs or perhaps Blue Origin which I believe launches from the south.

Jetty Park is wonderful county park. Very clean and scenic. My goal was different from others. I…read morewas at the nearby cruise terminal and wanted to get some exercise before the cruise. Was able to accomplish that with walking around. Jetty Park is near the Cape Canaveral launch site, but unfortunately no activity the day I was there. Definitely worth a stop.

Looking for a sunshine day, like the Brady's sing about? It starts right here, at Alan Shepard…read morepark. What a great place to watch the sun rise over the Atlantic! We raced over from Tampa to get here by dawn and found plenty of parking (you can pay by card, coin or Park Mobile app). It's just a short walk by boardwalk/ramp to the sand and there it is: sea, sun and surf... right at your feet. It's really Florida gorgeous... and so easy to access. It's also right behind Ron Jon's Surf Shop and a great place to watch rocket launches from nearby Cape Canaveral. I'll definitely go back, again and again!

A really nice beach with a paid parking lot right next to it; it's just a few steps to the beach…read morefrom your vehicle. The sand and water were nice. The body and foot showers near the parking lot are greatly appreciated. There are lots of retails and restaurants places to walk to from the beach parking lot, so you don't have to move your vehicle.

This is Spessard Holland North Beach Park. Two miles away is Spessard Holland South Beach Park…read more Both beach parks and the Spessard Holland Golf course were named in honor of Spessard Lindsey Holland, a prominent Florida politician and lawyer. He served as the 28th Governor of Florida and later as a U.S. Senator from 1946 to 1971. The beach park and golf course are among a number of places named in his honor across the state. Beyond the beach and park in Melbourne, his name is attached to various locations, including the Spessard Holland Expressway in Orlando and the Spessard Holland Elementary School in his hometown of Bartow. This 6.5-acre community beach park is a lovely spot to enjoy the ocean In Melbourne Beach. The beach is monitored by seasonal lifeguards. This park is popular with beachgoers and those who enjoy surf fishing and surfing. The park has a 100 foot dune boardwalk and two small pavilions. Other amenities include restrooms, drinking fountain, and outdoor showers. I always appreciate a beach with free parking like this one.

Spessard Holland Beach is a pleasant enough beach and it was a great place to chill for a bit…read more Parking was free and it was well-maintained. I would definitely recommend heading here if you want to chill and be around the water.

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.