Brevard has plenty of beachfront, but one area in particular is getting national attention.
Southern Living Magazine recognized Cocoa Beach as one of the top Florida beaches to visit in the fall. Why? The publication named 10 beaches in the Sunshine State known for having smaller crowds and ideal weather.
Cocoa Beach took the No. 3 spot on the list.
“Everyone knows that Florida is summer-vacation central for folks from all over the country—and all over the world—so it pays to push your annual visit until the fall when crowds have thinned out and temperatures have a chance to drop into that perfect “sunny and 75” range,” the article stated.
What did Southern Living say about Cocoa Beach?
“Known as the Surf Capital of the East Coast, Cocoa Beach is especially enticing to those looking to hang ten come fall,” according to the article. “That’s when northeasterly swells are largest, and it’s also when hurricane swells are most likely to occur here.”
The publication also mentioned the proximity of Cocoa Beach to other areas like Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
What Florida beaches made the Southern Living list?
- No. 1 Navarre Beach
- No. 2 Rosemary Beach
- No. 3 Cocoa Beach
- No. 4 Islamorada
- No. 5 Lauderdale-By-The-Sea
- No. 6 Anna Maria Island
- No. 7 Destin
- No. 8 Marco Island
- No. 9 Clearwater Beach
- No. 10 Delray Beach
Why is Cocoa Beach known worldwide?
Kelly Slater, known by many as the best surfer of all time, is from Cocoa Beach.
He helped put the small, beachside town on the map for its excellent surf. A bronze statue of Slater greets guests as the enter the north side of the city.
It’s also home to a massive Ron Jon Surf Shop, plenty of mom-and-pop restaurants, as well as great views to watch rocket launches from nearby Kennedy Space Center.
Does it cost money to visit Cocoa Beach?
Going onto the beach is free.
However, parking will cost you. It costs $5 an hour and $15 for the day for much of the parking in the city.
Paid parking is enforced seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. unless otherwise posted. Parking needs to be paid through the Passport Parking phone app.
Plan on visiting the Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier? The pier has its own parking lot, which costs $20 to park in.
Once open, at 11 a.m., you can walk the pier and visit several different restaurants and shops.
Follow these rules while visiting Cocoa Beach
- Stay off the dunes – it’s the law. They act as a barrier to protect properties from high tides and storm surge.
- No fireworks
- No glass
- No camping
- No digging large holes – for safety reasons
- Dogs are only allowed on the beach between 4 th Street South to the 16th Street South. Dogs must be on a leash no longer than 10-feet. Owners must clean up after their dogs. Here are the times dogs can be on the beach:
- 6:00 am-10:00 am
- 4:00 pm- 7:00 pm during standard time
- 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm during daylight savings time
Spitzer is a Trending Reporter. She can be reached at MSpitzer@Floridatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: This Brevard beach is getting national attention as a favorite fall destination
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