Skate Parks (and other things) in Florida?

The Baroness and I are taking vacation at the end of June. No major goals, just GTFO away from work and stuff for a while. We're using "visit skate parks" as an excuse as much as a reason. The Baroness has never been to Florida and wants to check it out.

So... with about a weeks worth of time, where should go? Any particular skate parks to hit? My general preference is for bowl, snake run, vert type stuff. I like putting together runs with good flow more than busting out a single, technical trick. Kona is already on our radar. Seems like that puts us in northern FL.

Edit: Quick searching makes it look like we're most likely to go to the Daytona Beach area and use that as our jumping off point to take day trips within a 90minute radius to get Jacksonville and Orlando.

On the entire other coast of FL I can offer THIS.

HERE is some better info and photos.

Dunedin is a great town to visit. We have a great local beer scene which includes the oldest craft brewery in FL. We also have some of the best beaches in FL on Caledisi and Honeymoon Island parks.

I know you plan to stay in Daytona but an overnight on the West coast of FL would get you out of the touristy Daytona/Orlando mess. If you need more info, check here..

This is not an advertisement. I just live here and love my town

http://www.concretedisciples.com/skatepark-directory/usa-skateparks/skateparks/florida-skateparks_c179/

There's a big park in Lakeland.

I'm not into skateboarding, but the only park I can name in FL is the Bro Bowl in Tampa. I remember someone telling me it was pretty influential in the early days of BMX/Skateboarding.

Link: http://www.brobowl.org/

As a resident of the Daytona area, I know that there's a small skate park in Ormond Beach. I've never been there and I'm only half sure it's still around, but it's worth googling if you're staying in the area anyway.

Nova Skate park. Apparently they added an expansion

I've lived in Florida for 30 years. For a pleasant tourist visit I strongly suggest avoiding Rat World and it's neighbors. West coast is laid back and most pleasant. Busch Gardens is great. Dunedin is a quaint area, very diverse. Great beaches, not crowded. If you are a Nudist, several world class naked places. If you come over to the east coast, don't stop until you get to Islamorada in the middle keys. I live in central Ft. Lauderdale and really like it, but so much of the surroundings are less pleasant.

There are a few skate parks here in Gainesville. And 2 really good breweries. You could turn your trip into a skate park/brewery/GRM meetup!

dyintorace wrote: There are a few skate parks here in Gainesville. And 2 really good breweries. You could turn your trip into a skate park/brewery/GRM meetup!

That's kind of the plan. I would love to take a hop over to Cigar City.

I also need to know how much beer I'd need to smuggle in carry on to bring by GRM-HQ.

Here are the 2 we have to offer. I was just at FM last week, enjoying an imperial stout release!

http://swamphead.com/

http://fmbrewing.com/

Tampa Bay has over 30 micro-breweries.

Tampa Bay Brewery Map

FL skateparks list

I know a guy who's hosting a get-together at the Ormond Beach skate park on June 18.

NordicSaab wrote: I'm not into skateboarding, but the only park I can name in FL is the Bro Bowl in Tampa. I remember someone telling me it was pretty influential in the early days of BMX/Skateboarding. Link: http://www.brobowl.org/

Unfortunately the BroBowl is no more. It was demolished last year.

Beer Baron wrote:

dyintorace wrote: There are a few skate parks here in Gainesville. And 2 really good breweries. You could turn your trip into a skate park/brewery/GRM meetup!

That's kind of the plan. I would love to take a hop over to Cigar City. I also need to know how much beer I'd need to smuggle in carry on to bring by GRM-HQ.

GRM meetup at cigar city! Though I would recommend 3 Daughters in St Pete or Big Storm.

I haven't risen the Orlando parks, but I have been there to watch contests.

Orlando Skate Park's main bowl looks gnarly to me, as it's all below grade and there's no really easy way to roll in. It's big, though.

It's BMX, but this is from their recent comp:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/WUDO4dJ6HsA

Skatepark of Tampa features a mix of big ramps plus a few smaller pools. This is from our BMX skatepark series:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/4lTPGIJAV_4

And this is Oveido, which is basically part of metro Orlando. They have a big main bowl, a smaller bowl, and a big street course.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/y45BPxXwF6Q

And I haven't been to the Daytona Beach park yet, but I hear good things about it. The Ormond park is 2 minutes away, so it's hard to beat convenience.

Looks like there are two parks: Bethune Point and SFC Jericho. Both look pretty good, and are only 2miles from each other.

So how does Ormond Beach compare to Daytona Beach as a place to stay for vacation? Are you able to get slightly less expensive hotel or AirBnB for the expense of being a few more miles away from the touristy epicenter?

For Orlando, I was just thinking spend a weekday at one of the amusement parks or something. We'll likely fly home from there, because Southwest has a $133 nonstop flight from Orlando to Columbus on the day we want to leave. Most likely fly in to Jacksonville, spend a couple days, work our way slowly south, fly out of Orlando.

We're looking for other things besides just skateparks. Food, beaches, nature parks. Baroness is a ginger, so no sunbathing. I am not a fan of kitschy tourist trap stuff, and she doesn't need heavy shopping. A little sailing or wind surfing could be fun. Baroness' biggest goal seems to be long trail skate along the oceanfront (we can do 10+ miles, no problem).

I would love to stop in and see GRM-HQ. We're not bottling or canning regularly yet, but I can hand fill some stuff. I happen to have a stash of 2014 Wunderbarrel (bourbon barrel aged Belgian Strong Dark) that I could grab a couple 22oz bottles of. I can fill other things or bring other Ohio stuff down if someone PM's me. Provided I have luggage space.

Daytona and Ormond are basically interchangeable. (Ormond is the town just North of Daytona) Lodging costs will probably be lower in Daytona, as there are more hotels to choose from. If you'd like to escape the touristy / party crowds, check out Ponce Inlet, or Flagler Beach. Both are close enough that you can visit Daytona if you'd like to--- but far enough away that the crowds are much smaller. Ponce is a great place to rent kayaks / paddle boards, as it's an inlet leading to the ocean. (great fishing too)

We also have Tomoka State Park just North of Daytona---- it's a beautiful park with trees that form a canopy over the road. Canoe and kayak rentals are available. This time of the year there is an excellent chance of seeing manatee, dolphin, wild boar, deer, and all kinds of critters.

https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Tomoka

There is a nice sidewalk that runs all the way from Daytona to Flagler--- perfect for the skate you wife had in mind. If she's sensitive to sun, be sure she puts plenty of sunblock on EVERY DAY. The sun can be mighty powerful down here, and a bad burn can ruin your whole adventure. SPF30 at the very least-- just to be sure.

And be sure to stop by the GRM offices!

Not a fan of tourist crap but going to Orlando? I vote drive right on through and come to Tampa. If TPA doesn't have a good Southwest flight for you PIE may have an excellent Allegiant flight up there for cheap. They fly to random small cities in Ohio.

Check out the Cape Canaveral national seashore as a place to visit: CC Natl Seashore. It's gorgeous.

Beer Baron wrote: I happen to have a stash of 2014 Wunderbarrel (bourbon barrel aged Belgian Strong Dark) that I could grab a couple 22oz bottles of.

I would love some of this! Belgian darks are my absolute favorite. I'm one of the few folks that can't stand IPAs.

2nd on the Allegiant flight. It cost me $85 one way to fly down to get the car I bought.

Hmm, Dunedin has...

Excellent food, no chain restaurants. Traditional Mexican, fish joints x4, bbq X2, Italian, Fine Dining x2, Sushi, Eclectic American x2. Don't believe just me

Drinking. Microbreweries x3, Distillery, Irish pub, Wine bar, Night club, Local bars x3, I can't make this E36 M3 up

Trail riding. 44 mile Pinellas Trail runs right through downtown.

Bike shops/rentals X3

Beaches. Caledisi Island and Honeymoon Island State Parks which are continuously ranked on the best beaches in the US. Honeymoon Island has awesome nature trails and the entire North end of the island can only be reached by foot.

Sailing, kayak, paddleboard rentals at Sail Honeymoon on the Dunedin Causeway (how you get to Honeymoon Island State Park) and where Enyar and I launch our Hobie Cats.

Orlando is over rated.

GRM HQ voted that you should definitely come visit us. They also voted that the best beer is free beer.

hobiercr wrote: Hmm, Dunedin has... Excellent food, no chain restaurants. Traditional Mexican, fish joints x4, bbq X2, Italian, Fine Dining x2, Sushi, Eclectic American x2. Don't believe just me Drinking. Microbreweries x3, Distillery, Irish pub, Wine bar, Night club, Local bars x3, I can't make this E36 M3 up Trail riding. 44 mile Pinellas Trail runs right through downtown. Bike shops/rentals X3 Beaches. Caledisi Island and Honeymoon Island State Parks which are continuously ranked on the best beaches in the US. Honeymoon Island has awesome nature trails and the entire North end of the island can only be reached by foot. Sailing, kayak, paddleboard rentals at Sail Honeymoon on the Dunedin Causeway (how you get to Honeymoon Island State Park) and where Enyar and I launch our Hobie Cats. Orlando is over rated.

Caladesi and Honeymoon are simply amazing. We LOVE going there for beach getaways.

dyintorace wrote: Check out the Cape Canaveral national seashore as a place to visit: CC Natl Seashore. It's gorgeous.

Beer Baron wrote: I happen to have a stash of 2014 Wunderbarrel (bourbon barrel aged Belgian Strong Dark) that I could grab a couple 22oz bottles of.

I would love some of this! Belgian darks are my absolute favorite. I'm one of the few folks that can't stand IPAs.

That makes two of us. Barrel aged anything has my attention.