Great Beaches
Near Orlando
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Fun in the Sun
The Sunshine State may be a relatively narrow slice of land with water on most sides. But don't expect any sea breezes to rustle your hair at the Orlando theme parks this summer. Central Florida can be one stifling place. The good news? It's easy enough to make like a hurricane and beeline it to the coast for some Atlantic cooling.
Up First: Canaveral National Seashore
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Canaveral National Seashore
Nature lovers and nudists converge on the immaculate beaches of this barrier island located near Kennedy Space Center. Canaveral National Seashore's 24-mile stretch of undeveloped beachfront offers a glimpse of what Florida must have been like before oceanfront condos came to dominate the dunescapes.
Up Next: Cocoa Beach
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Cocoa Beach
Best known for Ron Jon, the neon-hued surf shop megastore that's open 24 hours, Cocoa Beach is your quintessential tacky-yet-lovable Florida beach town. The rickety fishing pier here is a throw back to the 1960s. There are oceanfront bars where you can practically keep your toes in the sand while sipping on a cold Corona. And the people watching here is as good as it gets.
Up Next: Satellite Beach
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Satellite Beach
The scene starts to mellow out as you head south of Cocoa Beach to this small seaside community of about 10,000 year-round residents. Satellite Beach is less crowded than Cocoa, and hotels tend to be a bit less expensive, too. Lunch at the San Diego-style Tex-Mex eatery called Da Kine Diego's Insane Burritos is a must. Surf videos and movies are screened at an outdoor theater in the restaurant's garden year round.
Up Next: Indialantic Beach
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Indialantic Beach
Blink and you might miss this laid-back beach town just south of Satellite. Same blue seas and golden sands, and with fewer crowds still. You're guaranteed to get the pulse of the local vibe here. Transplanted New Yorkers and long time Indialantic residents swear by the slices at Bizarro's Famous New York Pizza, situated a stone's throw from the sand.
Up Next: Melbourne Beach
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Melbourne Beach
Head here if you're into outdoor pursuits with a bit of city culture in the mix. The beach side of Melbourne is home to grassy dunes and oceanfront parks for tossing out your blanket and umbrella in the sand. Just inland over the causeway, the historic district offers antiquing and cute sidewalk cafes in turn-of-the-century surroundings.
Up Next: Sebastian Inlet State Park
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Sebastian Inlet State Park
Cocoa Beach native and world champion surfer Kelly Slater has been known to shred here. Sebastian Inlet is celebrated as Florida's top surf break, and the water is noticeably clearer and bluer than what you'd find just a few minutes north. Sea turtles nest here, anglers toss lines off the pier, and recreational boaters launch from the jetty. Pure Florida living, as good as it gets.
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