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.

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.

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.

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

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 harassed for being a veteran that suffers from PTSD, AND KICKED out of Kars park. Beware of…read morethe clickIE CREW and if you are not like them, they will harass you. When you pull up to check in your greated by a guy blowing cigar smoke in the RV. the man with the cigar also claims the park as his, and says the rules on the answer machine are wrong and he controls the rules. Now fast forward a few days, and ii suffer PTSD, TBI injury, and from the loss of 2 families I'm dealing with a diagnosis from emotional stress So I went to Kars park because I felt safe there, unfortunately the troll made sure that didn't happen. I was eating lunch on 8/18/2025, and a rude gentlemen (probably drives a white Tacoma with silly fake graphics). The phone says "US government". I answer and the guy asks "what's up with your spot" and " what's your deal"? Being extremely aggressive, and after I had that intruding phone conversation I didn't want to stay. So I drove straight to Kars park and paid in full, telling them it's my last night. Then the next morning, and after receiving another cold shoulder from the short cigar smoker (turning his back to me, and taking his time opening the gate (troll). I decided I'm not going to let the cigar smoker, and the harassing workers effect my stay. I called and after a conversation (man doesn't know how to take constructive criticism.i was out surfing and instead of extending my stay I was told to leave by 11. Like a criminal I had to have my parents grab my truck and we drove away.

Whenever I go to Florida I always stop and spend some time at Kars park. Since Cape Canaveral is…read moreright across the bay we get to watch rocket launchers, and this guy in the horizon is always beautiful. It's a quiet park, very little noise. And it's a very reasonable place to stay especially if you're going to be long term, like a month or longer. Even their weekly rates are great.

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.

**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!