Cocoa Beach

[PACruiseBear]

Going on the Mariner this Sunday and have a party of 8 that has a bit of time to waste before we get on the ship. Is Cocoa Beach the closest "tourist" area to Port Canaveral. Does anyone know where I can go to find a nice shopping area with restaurants near the beach? Thanks

[gnparend]

Cocoa is typical tourist beach area with plenty of shops along A1A. There are no famous restaurant but plenty of restaurants along the coast. Just a thought but if you have time maybe NASA is a few miles away.

[uksimonusa]

Cocoa is typical tourist beach area with plenty of shops along A1A. There are no famous restaurant but plenty of restaurants along the coast. Just a thought but if you have time maybe NASA is a few miles away.

 

If driving, don't get confused with Cocoa and Cocoa Beach. Cocoa Beach is not the beach at Cocoa, which is a city about 8 miles inland. I worked in Cocoa and had to give many confused tourists directions to the City of Cocoa Beach

[Shanafan]

Try Grills near the pier to kill some time. There are plenty of threads regarding things to do in Port Canaveral. Do a search and you will come up with many.

[gnparend]

My reference is to Cocoa Beach which is just south of Cape Canaveral on A1A (aka S Atlantic Ave) not Cocoa which is on Rt 1 west of the coast.

[dontpanik]

Jetty Park is probably the most popular beach to spend a day at since there are no rocks to contend with and a real nice sandy beach.

 

As far as shopping goes, start off at Ron Jons or Cocoa Beach Surf company (they're right next door to each other). They have free parking, even a parking garage for free and all the local shopping is within walking distance of there. So is the beach and the Cocoa Pier.

 

There is some great shopping in Cocoa Village as well. As a previous poster pointed out, Cocoa is not Cocoa Beach. You take 520 west off the island, over Merritt Island (3 bridges) and over to Cocoa Village. Its a small little shopping area with local owned art stores, boutiques and small restaurants.

 

Here's a few links if they help at all and congrats on the upcoming cruise. I know a week out I am so giddy I'm like a little kid on Christmas Eve :D

 

Jetty Park: http://www.portcanaveral.org/recreation/beaches.php

Ron Jons: http://www.ronjons.com/DisplayContent.aspx?ContentID=39&MenuGroup=2&SelectedItem=4

Cocoa Beach Surf Company: http://www.cocoabeachsurf.com/

Cocoa Beach Pier: http://cocoabeachpier.com/

Cocoa Village: http://cocoavillage.com/

 

I think most of the sites also have directions listed.

[kittymom65]

Grills is a great way to spend some time--they have an outdoor tiki bar, drinks are good and pretty reasonably priced, and they usually have a live band. The food is great, too!

[PACruiseBear]

Thanks for the help everyone. Bon Voyage!

[JTJ]

http://www.atochatreasures.com/mclarty.htm

 

It's about 45 miles south of CB on SR A1A (ocean side) can't miss it, used to cost a $1pp and run by two old ladies. The 1715 Spanish fleet sunk there about 1/2 mile off the beach. The museum is on the exact site that the Spanish set up camp to find what was left, until the English chased them off.

[Momma Donna]

Cocoa Beach is great you have to try a Hurricane Category #5 at the Sand Bar (I think that is the name) Restaurant. They will get you where you want to go. :D