HELP!! Which beach near Daytona?

[newtowdw1]

Okay, after what feels like extensive research, I've narrowed my beach choices down to 4.
I want a beach that has some other people on it, but not so many that I can't see my kids (7,3) playing near me.
I don't really want cars on the actual beach we use.
I want some entertainment possiblities near enough to use.
I want to see some actual beachiness (natural, if you know what I mean ), but I can drive to see it.
I'd like lifeguards too.

So the question for those experienced:
Do I go to:

Flagler Beach--very natural, but maybe not enough people for a fun atmosphere. Do they have lifeguards?

Ormond Beach-- quieter than Daytona, but not too quiet. No nature?

Daytona Beach Shores-- same as above

New Smyrna-- more like Flagler, with the NASA nature preserves close enough to drive to. The problem here is that I can't seem to find a hotel that allows 3 adults (84 yo grandmother) and 2 kids that I can afford.

We're planning to stay two nights and drive to wdw the day we check out.

TIA!

 

[newtowdw1]

C'mon! Pretty please? I just want opinions!!

 

[leanne11]

i'll give you the web address of where we stayed if you want Daytona, very reasonable ....http://www.daytonasurfsideinn.com/
=oceanfront/spacious/balcony/pool/hot tub/ little kitchen/ of course you have to watch your times at any of these beaches, we went in May an no one was there but during spring break or bike week or a pepsi 500 they get over 100,000 people and you will not even see your kids
you could use this FLORIDA web site.... http://www.flausa.com/
and pick from all the beaches and they give accomadations, you can always try a condo, they are cheaper than a hotel and more room...hope this helps...

 

[sweetheart2576]

www.oceanwalk.com

is by far in my opinion one of the best hotels in daytona beach. We just stayed there 6 nights from the 15-21 and was great. Lots of activities washer/dryer inside your room, on the non-traffic part of the beach. Our stay was really great. 2 decents sized outdoor pools and 2 indoor pools. a lazy river, and a kids waterpark type area. they also have a pool slide, indoor minigolf that is free and lots of activities.

 

[spiceycat]

how about St Augustine for your beaches - very pretty - very nice - some nature areas.

you can also find a better place in St Augustine.

 

[zaxmom]

Ocean Walk is the nicest place at Daytona, followed by Adams Mark. We booked a place call Ocean Sands and had to leave. The place was disgusting. The only places I saw were these two and luckily the Adams Mark had a room. Not a lot of nature, but there were lifeguards. I did not really like the Daytona area, myself.

 

[DukeStreetKing]

Flagler Beach is very nice. I used to live just 10 minutes away. There is not a whole lot to do there, although Marineland is just up the road about 15 minutes on US 1. St. Augustine is only a few minutes up the road from Marineland. There is a very nice beach in St. Augustine called Matansas Beach. I don't recall seeing any lifeguards but the beach is very nice.

Flagler Beach is mostly crushed up Coquina shells, so it is very rough on the feet. Give me the sands of Ft. Walton Beach any day.

 

[felinosaurus]

Sounds like you are in the same boat I'm in. I have been scouring the internet for days searching for the "perfect" place for us (me, dh, 6 yr old & 4 yr old) to spend a few days on the beach after we leave Orlando. I'm planning our trip for next May. I just havent come across anything that sounds particularly great... well, not that's affordable anyway. The fact that I definitely want beachfront and definitely don't want a hi-rise condo has made my search more difficult.
Here are links to a couple of places that I've given consideration. If you come up with anything interesting, please post!

http://www.driftwoodmotel.com

http://www.floridavacations.com/fv/9797.html

http://www.palmcoastvillas.com/accom.html

 

[suzannews]

We stayed at the Holiday Inn on St Augustine Beach in July and loved it! I would highly recommend it. There was a lifeguard right infront of the hotel all 3 days we were there. The beach itself was very clean, no trash at all. There were many people around but it was not crowded at all. There was lots to do in the area including historic St Augustine. We paid 50 cents a piece and walked out onto the huge pier and watched people catch fish and baby sharks. My 9 yr old DD had a blast. Lots of great bar and grill type restaurants and there was a free live concert near the pier one night. The hotel itself has a website you can check out too, www.staugustine-holidayinn.com It was about a 2 hour drive from the Disney area.