You definitely need to find the right part of Daytona Beach to get the best out of it, as there are definitely areas of run-down motels, tacky shops (calling them 'sho[ps' is being kind!) and new construction. Also, unless you get right to the beach area itself, much of the area is distinctly ordinary and with nothing to interest tourists.
Your best bet is to follow I-4 to the Daytona beach turn-off, then follow the signs that take you on to International Speedway Boulevard (all the way past the Daytona Speedway itself and the airport (on your right). You go about 2 miles through some very nondescript areas (not rough or dangerous, just very downbeat and ordinary - although the Volusia Mall is very smart - and pretty big!) and then go over a big bridge over the Halifax River that leads to Daytona Beach itself (don't stop in Daytona itself!). Turn left when International Speedway Blvd threatens to dead-end at the beach and go 3 blocks north, just past the smart Hilton Beachfront hotel, and there is a big multi-storey car park on your left. Park here and you can then walk back over the footbridge to the Ocean Walk Shoppes which are right on the beach. Also here is the Bandshell (for nightly entertainment) and two huge hotels, the Hilton and Ocean Walk Resort, which have some good restaurants. Daytona Lagoon is also right here if that interests you.
This stretch of the beach is probably the best to be on; it is free of motor traffic (if you want to drive on the beach, go to the very end of the IS Blvd and turn right) and there are plenty of vendors here for sun-loungers, umbrellas, beach bikes, gift items, parasail and boat rides. The vendors are highly reliable and it is good value for a full day. Also here is the Pier (although the south side of this is looking horribly run down), and a series of smaller typical seaside-type shops, plus the big bungee swing ride (
)!
There is still some construction going on, though, as several of the older, tackier parts of the Boardwalk have been demolished and two new hotels are under construction.
To the north of this area, you start to run into the area of older-style motels and the less eye-appealing elements; to the south is a lovely drive to Ponce Inlet, where you find the Marine Science Center and the well-preserved Ponce De Leon Lighthouse, plus Lighthouse Park, another beach area with lots of boat and sea-fishing hire. There are a couple of fun restaurants in this area, but it is usually quite quiet.
The one area we were surprised to see looking a bit frowsy was the Riverfront Market area along Beach Street (which fronts the west side of the Halifax River), where many of the shops and restaurants, which used to be so attractive, look in need of some urgent TLC. There is a big demolition work under way in one area, which suggests they know what needs to be done, but it is months away from being restored to former glories. We went for lunch at Caribbean Jack's on the riverfront just to the north of here, and that was also very enjoyable.
For hotels, the Hilton is definitely in the prime spot (with great facilities, although their front desk service left a bit to be desired), while The Shores (on the route south to Ponce Inlet) is a truly beautiful option. Much of the rest of the area is condos, apartments and motels (plus some magnificent homes, which must run into the millions!), so there isn't a huge amount of choice for good accommodation.
but it's always seemed a long way to drive just for one shop.....
