Cocoa Beach

Understand

The city is on the east coast of Florida on the Atlantic Ocean. Between the ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway is the narrow coastal region that is the location of the city.

Getting there

Cocoa Beach can be accessed by several roads: Florida routes 520 & 528 cross the Indian River and Merritt Island from Interstate 95; A1A parallels the coast and provides access from the south. Cocoa Beach is on the water, so access by water is also possible.

West Cocoa Causeway ends at its intersection with Atlantic Ave (FL-A1A) in 'downtown' Cocoa Beach. Going west, into the mainland, the road winds 39 mi (63 km) into FL-50 where it continues another 24 mi (39 km) west into Orlando as Colonial Dr (FL-50). It goes across Merritt Island as Merritt Island Causeway and through Cocoa Village on the mainland as W King St where it intersects I-95 at exit 201. Martin Andersen Beachline Expressway connects Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Village to its junction with I-4, south of Orlando, near Walt Disney World, at 48 mi (77 km) west, via Orlando International Airport. Locally FL-528 ends at its intersection with US Hwy 1 in Cocoa Village. From US 1, the road continues across the causeway as FL-A1A, into Port Canaveral/Cape Canaveral as Astronaut Blvd (FL-A1A) where it curves south through Cape Canaveral and into Cocoa Beach as Atlantic Ave (the main thoroughfare). It crosses over I-95 at exit 205.

Getting around

By car Atlantic Ave (FL A1A) Coastal highway connects Cape Canaveral in the north (SR-528), through Cocoa Beach (SR-520) to Patrick Space Force Base in the South (SR-404). It actually runs continuously from Patrick Space Force Base to Stuart Beach in Fort Pierce. Atlantic Ave serves as the main thoroughfare through Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral. Minuteman Causeway is a local east-west road south of 'downtown' Cocoa Beach which divides north from south. All north-south roads north of Minuteman Causeway have a 'North' designation in the prefix while the ones south have the 'South' designation. House numbers increase as you go further north or south from Minuteman Causeway and further east or west from Atlantic Ave (SR-A1A).

By bus Space Coast Area Transit is the name of the local Brevard County bus service. It is a cheap way to get around and is handicap accessible. The website provides maps and timetables. Buses travel to most sites and places of interest. $1.25 per ride, or $35 for a monthly pass. Bus route 9 serves as the main bus route through Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach between King George Blvd & N Atlantic Ave in Cape Canaveral (to the north), to SR-A1A & S 13th in the south of town, via Shephard Park at Ocean Beach Blvd (SR-520) as the main begin/end point of the route

Bike or Walk Many bike lanes are available along major roads. The area is very pedestrian-friendly, with good sidewalks.

See

The beach is a justifiably famous stretch of Atlantic beach. Activities include beach volleyball, surfing, sunbathing, surf fishing:

1 Sidney Fischer Park, 2200 N Atlantic Ave (access via Fischer Park Dr from Atlantic Ave). Daily 8AM-7PM. Open field 10 acre city park with ocean views, shaded picnic pavilions, playground, showers and restroom facilities. 2 Thousand Islands. A collection of small mangrove islands in the Banana River Lagoon, accessible by tour boat or kayak. One can often see dolphins, manatees, and many bird species. Strong bioluminescence in late summer. 3 Lori Wilson Park, 1500 N Atlantic Ave. A 32-acre park featuring a maritime hammock is a popular site for events and group gatherings. The maritime hammock allow visitors to experience Florida’s natural coastline. Attractions include boardwalks, beach access, surf fishing, 3 pavilions, BBQ grills, picnic tables, and public restrooms as well as dog park/dog run area for the dogs. (updated Jul 2023) 4 "I Dream of Jeannie Lane", 14xx N Atlantic Ave (serves as one of two roads into Lori Wilson Park from Atlantic Ave). In 1996 Barbara Eden (the "Jeannie") came into town to give a speech at the Kennedy Space Center and then came over here for the naming dedication to the TV show which she was a co-star in. The TV sitcom was set in Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral, but was filmed entirely in Southern California. In 2012 a blue sign was placed under the street name sign to explain the history and theme of the TV series. This and the officers' club at Patrick AFB, south of town, are closest to being a "filming location" in town: (updated Jul 2023) 1020 Palm Dr was identified as Maj Tony Nelson's (Larry Hagman) home address in the script where both the Jeannie (Barbara Eden) and Maj Nelson lived in. In real life the address does not exist in Cocoa Beach. The exterior shots were filmed at one of the faux houses (the 'Blondie' House) in the Warner Bros Filming Ranch in Burbank, California. The interior scenes

Do

1 Victory Casino Cruises (Sterling Casino Line), 180 Christopher Columbus Dr, ☏ +1 855-468-4286, toll-free: +1-800-765-5711. Go out for night on the water on Sterling. Ages 18+. 2 Canaveral Princess & Orlando Princess, 670 Glen Cheek Dr, ☏ +1 321-784-6300, toll-free: 1 800 481-3474. This is a kind of tourist attraction, as they take tourists out on deep sea fishing excursions. 3 The Corner Tattoo & Piercing Studio, Inc., 112 Dixie Ln, ☏ +1 321-783-8287. One-of-a-kind piercing parlor, exceeds OSHA standards, open till midnight on weekdays, wonderful reputation, amazing artwork by Michelle and Rob. 4 Cocoa Beach Pier, 401 Meade Ave. Restaurants, bars, gift shops, and fishing. Sport equipment can be rented here, as well. Fin and Fly Fishing Charters (Fin and Fly Fishing), 951 Bali Rd, ☏ +1 321-652-5903, [email protected]. Daily 6AM-11PM. Deep sea, shark & inshore fishing charters in the rich waters off Florida's Space Coast from Cocoa Beach to Port Canaveral. (updated Jul 2017)

Buy

1 Banana River Square, 2001-2049 Atlantic Ave (strip mall across street from Sidney Sischer Park). Hours vary at each establishment. Publix, Florida Fresh Grill, New China Restaurant, Paddy Cassidy's Pub, Shoyu Hibachi Express & Poke Bowl, UPS Store, Coldwell Banker Baine Realty, Tilman's Barber shop, etc. There's a Dollar Tree next to mall, behind Publix, but not part of this mall. (updated Aug 2023) 2 Merritt Square Mall, 777 E Merritt Island Cswy, ☏ +1 321-452-3270. Anchors include Macy's, Sears, JCPenny, and Dillard's. (updated May 2021) 3 Ron Jon Surf Shop, 4151 N. Atlantic Ave, ☏ +1 321-799-8888. "One of a Kind!" The company's flagship store, and advertised as the "World's Largest Surf Shop". This is the place to be to meet some locals, check out a few boards, and even get some clothes and keepsakes for others.

Eat

1 Azteca Two Mexican Restaurant, 1600 N Atlantic Ave (inside the resort on cocoa beach), ☏ +1 321-784-1188. Tu-F 11AM-9:30PM, Sa Su 4PM-9:30AM. Mexican food 2 Florida's Seafood Bar & Grill, 480 West Cocoa Beach Cswy, ☏ +1 321-784-0892. M-Sa 11:30AM-10PM. Serves big shrimp, regular shrimp, rock shrimp, lobsters, snow crabs, scallops, and for those who do