Ormond Beach, Florida

Ormond Beach and Ormond by the Sea

Ormond Beach is a town that embraces the natural beauty of its surroundings. With wide, sandy beaches along the Atlantic Ocean and tree-lined avenues along the Halifax River, the city has managed to preserve a character that merges yesterday and today. From a bustling commerce center near Interstate 95, Granada Boulevard transports residents and visitors over the Halifax River to the easy going beachside area.

In the area known as Ormond by the Sea, small beachside communities and condominium developments offer a casual, laid-back approach to living. Walking on the beach, searching for shells and watching for dolphins playing in the surf, are everyday activities easily enjoyed by those of any age.

Families with children, young professionals, and retirees can all find someplace special in this city of 38,325 residents. According to a survey by the National Strategy Group, Ormond Beach was recently rated one of the top 100 cities to relocate to.

Tomoka State Park, with both the Tomoka and Halifax Rivers merging in the northern peninsula, offers canoeing, hiking, fishing and camping. With more than 2000 plus acres, the park includes the largest stand of old growth live oak trees in Eastern Florida. These majestic towering trees with moss-covered limbs are a quintessential Florida icon. Wildlife is abundant and photo ops are too.

One of the favorite places for both residents and visitors to Ormond Beach is The Loop. This 23 mile stretch of roadway passes under a beautiful canopy of oak trees and alongside both sawgrass palmettos and beachfront dunes. This trek offers glimpses of Old Florida, with strands of moss hanging from centuries-old oak trees and herons and egrets searching for food at water’s edge.   

There are several outstanding golf courses, tennis courts and a top rated soccer complex. The city’s parks and recreational facilities and services sector play a key component in the quality of life for residents of the area. In fact the Ormond Beach Leisure Services Department was named as one of the top four in the nation in 2002.

In the early days of Florida, Ormond Beach was a stopping ground for many of the country’s rich and famous. Henry Flagler brought tourists from the north to stay at the Ormond Hotel. John D. Rockefeller, who enjoyed the mild winter’s here, bought a home called The Casements in 1918. Today, residents and visitors to the community still enjoy touring the home and taking part in the various leisure activities offered at the historic home and in the nearby gardens.

Another legacy was born in Ormond Beach in March of 1903, as Ransom E. Olds and Alexander Winton zoomed across the hard-packed beach sand racing their cars into history at the “Birthplace of Speed.”  Every year thousands of people recreate the event with antique cars and period clothing.