Prior to 1985 the "The World's Most Famous Beach" was under the administrative control of several different cities and the county of Volusia. In 1985 the voters agreed to give control of the entire beach within Volusia County to county government in order to unify the differing city regulations in regard to beach driving and conservation. While most voters thought this move would protect beach driving, the county has closed sections of the beach to driving. The banning of beach driving in certain areas for the purpose of promoting private development continues to be an extremely controversial subject.
Driving on the beaches of the Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Shores, Ponce Inlet and New Smyrna Beach areas is a Volusia County tradition dating back to the early days of the automobile.
Volusia County has tried to balance the need for and history of beach driving versus concern for the coastal environment and beach development by dividing their beaches in three zones – Natural, Transitional and Urban.
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Natural beach zones exist from the North Peninsula State Recreation Area to Granada Boulevard in Ormond by the Sea; from Emilia Avenue in Daytona Beach Shores to Beach Street in Ponce Inlet and from 27th Avenue in New Smyrna Beach to Canaveral National Seashore in Bethune Beach. Natural zones generally correspond to the areas where off-beach development is less intense. The dune habitats within this area largely are intact. These areas also have the highest concentration of turtle nests on Volusia beaches. Public driving and parking is not allowed in the Natural beach areas.
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Transitional zones are those areas which have a mixture of natural dunes and some beach seawalls. The concentration of people in these areas generally is less intense most of the year. Sea turtle nesting in these areas is moderate. Public driving and parking is allowed in the Transitional zone 30 feet seaward of the dunes or seawall.
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Urban zones are those areas where off-beach development includes hotels, high-rise condominiums and seawalls. The concentration of people is the most intense most of the year. Sea turtle nesting in these areas is minimal. Public driving and parking is allowed in the Urban beach areas 15 feet seaward of the dunes or seawall.
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Whether you are driving or walking on the beach you can access this small cache on one of the many dune walkovers. No room for swag BOYP.