My first visit to Daytona Beach was a family mission. While vacationing at the theme parks in Orlando, my husband and I set aside one day to visit his aunt in Daytona Beach. The drive took only about an hour, but the change in scenery and ambience made it seem like we were in another world.

Feeling the sea breeze on my face was so refreshing. Watching the flocks of pelicans glide gracefully over the shoreline was so relaxing. Just sitting in Aunt Gussie’s garden, sipping some iced tea, surrounded by beautiful and fragrant tropical plants, swaying palm trees and colorful oleanders, was so rejuvenating.

Although that first visit was a short one, we were hooked. We came back, again and again. With over 23 miles of gorgeous beaches, claiming our space on the sand has never been a problem.

Since there are so many fine hotels and motels along Atlantic Avenue, adjacent to the beach, we never had any trouble finding reasonably priced accommodations that met our growing family’s needs. And being able to drive and park on many areas of the beach, for just a few dollars, is lots of fun and very convenient, especially when you’re traveling with kids.

Besides the beach, where you can rent and ride a bicycle or dune buggy, parasail, do some surf fishing or just kick back and fly a kite, there is so much to see and do in Daytona. The area has lots of golf courses, inland waterways that are a fisherman’s paradise, and a genuine gem, the nearby Tomoka State Park, where there is more great fishing, and canoeing, kayaking and some of the best opportunities to spot your favorite winged creatures in the wild.

With so many restaurants to choose from, it’s hard to pick one favorite. But most visitors and locals agree that Aunt Catfish’s on the River is a best bet when it comes to seafood. The prices are moderate, the service is excellent, and the menu features a variety of tasty lobster, succulent shrimp, mouthwatering salmon and other interesting surf - and turf - specialties.