Ponce Inlet, FL Road Trips

It is said that in 1513, Juan Ponce De Leon was exploring the land and waters around the inlet that today bears his name. In 1886-87, a 175 foot high lighthouse was built and named after Ponce de Leon. Ponce Inlet was named after Antonio Ponce, who was granted land here during the Spanish occupation of Florida. In 1963, the Town of Ponce Inlet was incorporated; the first town council was sworn in at the lighthouse office. The lighthouse still dominates this small, sleepy town of fishing boats, natural parks, and growing condominiums. Ponce Inlet offers a humid, subtropical climate that is typical throughout Florida. Winters are dry and mild, marked by a constant series of cold fronts and warm-ups. Temperatures dip into the low 40s and upper 30s (°F) on occasion, although freezes are rare. Snowfall is very rare. Temperatures in spring are famously pleasant with warm afternoons, cool evenings, and far less humidity. The summers are long, hot and humid, with temperatures frequently in the upper 90s F in July. Thunderstorms are frequent in summer afternoons. Dangers include hurricanes from June until November.

Lighthouse Loop, Port Orange Causeway, 3501-4900 S. Atlantic Ave. The Lighthouse Loop is a scenic drive, also used by walkers, bicyclists, and runners, which passes through the cities of Port Orange, Daytona Beach Shores, and Ponce Inlet. Check the web site for the exact route. 1 Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse and Museum, 4931 South Peninsula Drive, ☏ +1 386 761-1821. Florida's tallest lighthouse at 175 ft (53 m) (the second tallest in the US) sits at the end of the road south of Daytona Beach. It is one of only 10 lighthouses in the nation designated a National Historic Landmark. Climb the winding staircase for beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Halifax River. The lighthouse keepers' dwellings and other historic light station buildings are now home to a lighthouse museum, which features exhibits on lighthouse life, local history, lighthouse and Fresnel lens restoration, shipwrecks, and the lighthouse keepers and their families. 2 Marine Science Center, 100 Lighthouse Drive, ☏ +1 386 304-5545. The Marine Science Center offers an experience where visitors can see some of the rich marine life of the area. One of the main goals of the Marine Science Center is sea turtle rehabilitation. Guests can overlook seven turtle hospital pools from the Turtle Terrace, located in front of the main facility. The MSC turtle rehabilitation area also includes care and treatment of freshwater turtles and land tortoises. There is also a gift shop where you can buy books and posters. Kay & Ayres Davies Lighthouse Park (City).

Critter Fleet, 4950 S. Peninsula Dr, toll-free: +1-800-338-0850, fax: +1 386-756-4075. Critter Fleet offers bottom fishing 15 to 35 miles out in the ocean. Full and half-day party boat excursions include equipment and bait. Private charters available. Fin-Addict Charters, ☏ +1 386-547-4053. Capt. Chris offers half-day, full-day and big game gulfstream charters aboard a 32-ft custom contender, complete with an onboard restroom. Bait, tackle, ice and fishing license are included, and fish cleaning and mounts are available. Finest Kind II Sportfishing, 133 Inlet Harbor Rd, toll-free: +1-877-615-6606. Offshore fishing has been a Nelson family tradition since 1955. Choose from half-day, full-day or night charters. Docked at Inlet Harbor Marina. First Class Charters, ☏ +1 386-788-3469. Deep sea sport fishing for up to six passengers. Fish with Capt. Barry, ☏ +1 386 871-8500. Capt. Barry specializes in back water fishing on the Tomoka River, Mosquito Lagoon, Indian River and St. Johns River. Fish for trout, redfish, snook, bass, crappie and tarpon. Fishin' Magician Guide Service, ☏ +1 386-767-5299. Try inlet fishing for trout, snook, reds or bass from the Daytona Beach area to Mosquito Lagoon. This family-oriented guide can accommodate up to three people. Island Spirit Deep Sea Fishing, 133 Inlet Harbor Road, ☏ +1 386 763-4388, fax: +1 386-761-2834. The Island Spirit is a 46-ft Hatteras offering offshore fishing trips from 4 to 10 hr. This tournament machine can comfortably accommodate up to 6 anglers in air-conditioned comfort.

1 Boondock's, 3948 S Peninsula Dr, ☏ +1 386 760-9001. 2 Down the Hatch, 4884 Front St, ☏ +1 386 761-4831. Upscale restaurant roughly where the inlet meets the Intracoastal Waterway. Inlet Harbor Restaurant, 133 Inlet Harbor Rd, ☏ +1 386 767-5590. Lighthouse Landing Restaurant. Jerry's Pizza & Italian Restaurant. With Tiki Bar.

1 Racing's North Turn, 4511 S. Atlantic Ave, ☏ +1 386 322-3425. 11AM - 11PM. On the Atlantic Ocean. The historic location is where Nascar ran its first sanctioned races. The restaurant walls are lined with vintage racing photo describing the history of racing. The cuisine is wonderful along with the service. Music nightly starting at 6PM. Outdoor 5000-sq-ft oceanfront deck.

There are no hotels or motels in Ponce Inlet. However, there are a lot of condominiums and private homes that you may be able to rent. Other lodgings can be found in the nearby City of Daytona Beach Shores.

Ponce Inlet has no local airport. If you need to fly here, you will need to find a commercial flight arriving to either Daytona Beach International Airport (the closest), Orlando International Airport, or Jacksonville International Airport. Amtrak offers the Amtrak Auto Train service with its southern Terminus located in Sanford (Florida), about 35 miles (57 km) west of Ponce Inlet. The Amtrak Auto Train carries passengers and automobiles between Sanford and Lorton, Virginia, effectively serving as a car-rail link from Florida to the Washington, D.C. Metro Area. You can easily drive your car into Ponce Inlet after departing from the Auto Train. Amtrak offers regular passenger service with the closest stop being near the city of DeLand. This stop is rather remote and is not recommended as an option. From Interstate 95, take Exit 256 to SR-421, east toward Port Orange. Use the Taylor Road ramp toward Port Orange/Daytona Beach Shores. Merge onto FL-421 East. FL-421 east becomes FL-A1A or North Dunlawton Avenue. Turn right on South Atlantic Avenue (Volusia County Route 4075) and drive straight to the Town of Ponce Inlet. Greyhound bus has a stop in Daytona Beach at 138 South Ridgewood Avenue (U.S.-1). You'll need to catch the 17A bus to Ponce Inlet. The nearest bus stop for the 17A is on North Beach Street between Bay and West International Speedway Boulevard. Walk north along Ridgewood avenue, then turn right onto West International Speedway Boulevard. Walk east for two blocks until you reach beach street that runs next to the riverfront park.

VOTRAN route 17A has limited bus service that goes North and South on Atlantic Avenue, but you really need a car to get around in Ponce Inlet. Buses run M-Sa 6AM-7:15PM. There is no bus service on Sunday. The bus does stop at the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse and Museum and the Marine Science Center.

Florida has a high occurrence of hurricanes. You might want to check the Hurricane safety page if you are visiting Florida. Beware of lightning in the central part of the state. The area is known for a high number of shark attacks, so be careful when surfing. Also, there is a high occurrence of tornadoes in Florida, so check the Tornado safety page. Tourist areas rarely have violent crimes, but theft is an occasional occurrence. The 911 number for fire and police emergencies is in effect in Ponce Inlet.