Pounding surf, sun-kissed sands, balmy ocean breezes and every sort of attraction imaginable ... these are the ingredients that make Florida's Atlantic coast such a wildly popular tourist destination.

Stretching out along this coastal region are some of the top locations for travelers - Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach, Ormond Beach and the Space Coast. Each has its own unique qualities that keep visitors coming back year after year.

Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach, known as the "World Center of Racing" and the home of NASCAR, is the best known of the area's communities. Although the wide stretch of white sandy beach is still the biggest attraction, the Ocean Center convention complex, the new Daytona Beach International Airport, the new Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) golf course and the Halifax Harbor Marina are taking their own share of the spotlight. Historical sites like the Main Street Pier, the Oceanfront Boardwalk and the Clocktower in Oceanfront Park add an eclectic air to this exciting city.
It's no surprise that the Daytona Beach area attracts approximately eight million visitors each year. This is where you'll find one of the most beautiful, family-friendly beaches in Florida. The temperatures just add to the appeal, ranging from an average of 59.3 degrees in winter to 78.5 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer - perfect for fun in the sun all year-round. One of Daytona Beach's most unique features is its automobile access along a 16-mile stretch of hard-packed sand on the ocean's edge.

The Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau conducted a survey recently of previous visitors to the area, searching for the "best of Daytona Beach". Considering that word-of-mouth and firsthand experiences are one of the most reliable sources for travelers, here's the list for 2004:
• Best Family Attraction: Daytona International
Speedway/DAYTONA USA
• Best Attraction for Kids under 12:
Volusia County Beaches
• Best Attraction for Mature Travelers:
Daytona Flea & Farmers' Market
• Best Shopping Experience: Volusia Mall
• Best Scenic View or Drive: Scenic Route A1A
• Best Restaurant: Aunt Catfish's On the River
• Best Golf Course: LPGA International
• Best Learning Experience: Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse
• Best Transportation Service: Alamo Rent A Car
• Best Accommodations For Hotels With Less Than
75 Units: Atlantic Ocean Palm Inn
• Best Accommodations For Hotels With 75-150 Units: Acapulco Hotel & Resort (re-opening October 2005)
• Best Accommodations For Hotels With 151-250 Units: Treasure Island Resort (re-opening April 2006)
• Best Accommodations For Hotels With More Than 250 Units: Hilton Daytona Beach Resort (formerly known as Adam's Mark Daytona Beach Resort)
One of the newest attractions in Daytona Beach is Florida's newest waterpark, the Daytona Lagoon. Conveniently located at Oceanwalk Village next to the Convention Center and numerous hotels and resorts, this exciting attraction offers family entertainment for all ages. More than just a waterpark, Daytona Lagoon offers Grand Prix go-kart racing, mini-golf, an arcade, Lazer Tag, rock climbing and a High Ballocity play center. For more details, visit their Web site at www.daytonalagoon.com.
When the day ends and you're ready for a little rest and relaxation, Daytona Beach provides a first-rate assortment of accommodations. Family condos and cottages, scenic campgrounds and RV parks, full-service luxury hotels and budget-friendly motels, bed & breakfasts or small quiet inns offer choices suited to all tastes and budgets.
Plan your Daytona Beach vacation by visiting www.daytonabeach.com on the Internet, by calling 1-800-854-1234 or (386) 253-8669, or by writing to: Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, P.O. Box 910, Daytona Beach, FL, 32114.

Ormond
Located at the north end of the Daytona Beach area, Ormond-by-the-Sea and Ormond Beach are quiet, relaxing, bedroom communities that offer the ideal beach escape. Ormond Beach extends across the Halifax River from the beachside and is the first Daytona Beach area community reached when traveling south on Interstate 95.
The Ormond Beach area was once home to the Rockefellers and the Flaglers, as well as the early automotive pioneers who tested their inventions on the hard-packed beach. The area is known as the Birthplace of Speed - the place where automobile racing began on the area's wide, smooth beaches in 1903, which led to many land-speed records, beach races in nearby Daytona Beach and the founding of NASCAR.
Today, Ormond Beach features attractions like the Casements and Tomoka State Park. Visitors seeking a quieter part of the beach can find it in the Ormond Beach area. In fact, beach driving is not allowed at the northern end of Ormond Beach or in Ormond-by-the-Sea.
Visitors will discover a wide range of accommodations, including hotels, motels, timeshare facilities and condominium properties. The area is ideal for families and mature tourists thanks to an exceptional quality of life and plenty of recreational offerings. The near-perfect climate is ideal for outdoor activities, which may include watersports, golf, soccer or hiking through the state and local parks.
For more information, visit www.ormondbeach.org or www.ormondchamber.com.

New Smyrna Beach
They say the fun "comes in waves" in New Smyrna Beach. Just a short drive from Central Florida's theme parks and a unique attraction in itself, this beachside community boasts over 13 miles of white sand beaches stretching out under the Florida sun. New Smyrna Beach enjoys moderate air and water temperatures year-round. Average temperatures range from the mid-60s in the winter months to the high 80s in the summer months. Brief late afternoon showers are common in July, a trend that gradually diminishes in the months that follow.
New Smyrna Beach is a barrier island bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Indian River, also known as the Intracoastal Waterway, on the west. Two bridges on the northern end provide access to the island. The communities of Oak Hill and Edgewater are located on the Indian River, as is New Smyrna Beach's mainland.
While this access to water makes the area popular among anglers for its sportfishing opportunities, the city also has a cultural side. History abounds here, thanks to its acclaim as the second oldest settled city in Florida.
Several historical sites and museums offer tours and the city is also ranked one of the "100 Best Small Art Towns America" by author John Villani. The area's many artist's workshops and galleries, and the Atlantic Center for the Arts, a world-renowned artists' community, make it a haven for creative types.
Affordable accommodations include beachfront hotels, condominiums and historic bed and breakfast inns.
Plan your vacation by contacting the New Smyrna Beach Area Visitors Bureau at 1-800-541-9621 (toll-free U.S. and Canada) or 386-428-1600 / nsbinfo@nsbfla.com or visit their Web site at www.nsbfla.com.

The Space Coast
Visitors enjoy a galaxy of attractions and entertainment along Florida's Space Coast, familiar to most as the home of the Kennedy Space Center and Port Canaveral. From moon walks to cruise ships to eco-adventures, this 72-mile stretch of sunny Atlantic shore is the ideal destination for all vacationers - from singles to couples to families. Protected wildlife refuges, fun-filled attractions, budget-friendly accommodations and a wide selection of restaurants create an atmosphere of versatility and affordability.
Comprised of several main cities - Titusville, Cocoa Beach, Melbourne and Palm Bay - and located only 35 miles east of Orlando, this spectacular East Coast getaway entwines 6.2-million-pound space shuttles and delicate sea bird sanctuaries along nine distinct coastal settings. The area is home to three of "Florida's Ten Best Beaches" (Southern Living magazine) and offers sanctuary to the largest sea turtle nesting area in the country with more endangered species than any other American refuge.
Visitors can enjoy more than 30 special events and festivals year-round. There's something for everyone, from antique boutiques and old-time theaters to spring training with baseball's world champion Florida Marlins. The proximity to water, both salt and fresh, provides access to top-notch surfing, fishing and thrilling airboat rides. One of the area's best-kept secrets is Stick Marsh, which boasts the "best bass fishing in Florida". Bird-watching, golf, tennis and eco-tours round out an eclectic list of things to do and see.
A comfortable average daytime temperature of 73 degrees Fahrenheit is complimented by gentle ocean breezes, warm southern waters and an idyllic setting that includes sea oat-scattered strands and sun-splashed beaches.
Shopping is another main attraction. Main Street Titusville, Historic Cocoa Village and Downtown Melbourne offer an assortment of retail delights in historic settings, while surfers and beachgoers are drawn to the famous Ron Jon Surf Shop showcasing beach apparel, sporting equipment and "everything under the sun."
Awe-inspiring cultural arts and activities include everything from art galleries and science museums to musical entertainment centers and a wildly entertaining zoo.
When it comes time to dine, more than 1,400 "ready-to-eat" raw bars, eclectic eateries and gourmet bistros offer selections designed to appease any appetite. Along with the traditional fresh favorites of lobster, scallops, crawfish, shrimp, fish and crab, there are also wonderful choices for the "meat eaters" - genuine Angus steaks and slow-cooked Southern barbecue. Don't forget to sample the mouthwatering mango pies and authentic astronaut ice cream.
Finding a place to stay is never a problem on the Space Coast. Whether you prefer posh or practical, more than 9,500 rooms are located in brand-name hotels, spacious condominiums, beachside cottages and five-bedroom bungalows. In addition, more than 2,800 campground and RV sites provide seaside solitude with great savings.
For more travel information, contact Florida's Space Coast Office of Tourism at 1-800-93-OCEAN, visit www.space-coast.com on the Internet or write to: Florida's Space Coast Office of Tourism, 8810 Astronaut Blvd., #102, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920-4202. -