Ormond Beach beach vacation rentals

The smooth shores of Ormond Beach have a history of tourism back to the 19th century. Like neighboring Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach’s hard-packed sand became a race track of sorts for early-20th-century inventors looking to show off the capabilities of the burgeoning automobile industry. Ormond Beach then attracted a new audience of wealthy Americans like John D. Rockefeller, who bought a home in the area as his own winter getaway. In some ways, Ormond Beach’s past has profoundly shaped its present as a popular coastal retreat, featuring car-themed events throughout the year. Its historical, small-town feel makes it an appealingly quieter alternative to Dayton Beach, its rambunctious neighbor to the south. Ormond Beach also draws water sports enthusiasts of all types to enjoy the Atlantic Coast and the Halifax and Tomoka rivers that border it.

The Ormond Beach calendar of events tends to mirror that of neighboring Daytona Beach — specifically the world-class speedway located there. January and February bring in racing enthusiasts for the region’s Speedweeks, culminating in the famous Daytona 500 race. That coincides with some of the area’s coolest and driest weather, making it an exceedingly pleasant time to visit the region, and a reminder why the families of yore decided to make this their winter retreat. Summers get extremely hot and somewhat wet, and crank up the humidity, though Ormond Beach remains one of the driest places in Florida.

The Casements

This 9,000-square-foot mansion, which was John D. Rockefeller’s beloved winter home until his death in 1937, was built in 1913 and takes its name from the hand-cut casement windows by which it is distinguished. Now on the National Register of Historic Places it serves as the cultural center for Ormond Beach; take a tour of the historic building or wander around its public gardens and waterfront paths overlooking the Halifax River.

Birthplace of Speed Park

This small park, where the main boulevard meets the beach, honors the city’s historic automobile races. You’ll find a replica of the original garage from the 1903 speed trials, alongside vintage cars from that era. Aside from being an important totem to the history of the automobile, the beachfront park is a lovely place to watch the sunrise over the ocean.

Ormond Scenic Loop Trail

This 30-mile scenic drive is popular with day-trippers and cyclists alike. The route serves as a full tour of the Ormond Beach area’s landscape; you’ll rove through Tomoka State Park and past the Tomoka River, the historic fire station, and submarine watchtower, and along the town’s pristine beaches.