Daytona Beach is one of the few cities in the world to have a car named in its honor.

Not just one, but three famous and very collectible cars are named after this popular Florida city. When manufacturers were naming their new cars, the racing heritage of Daytona Beach provided inspiration.

The iconic 1965 Shelby Daytona and the Dodge Daytona, a well-known marque on racing’s Nascar circuit from the late 60’s, are both named for Daytona Beach. As well the 1968 Ferrari 365 GTB4 almost immediately became known as the “Daytona”, after the Ferrari 1-2-3 victory in the Daytona 24-Hour Race in 1967.

Racing cars and Daytona Beach go back to 1936 when they created a race track from the wide, hard packed sand of Daytona Beach.  The beach course, located in the present-day Town of Ponce Inlet, was replaced in 1958 when William France Sr. and NASCAR created Daytona International Speedway.

Cars are still permitted on areas of Daytona Beach, but keep your speed to 10 mph (16 km/h). Enter the beach on E. International Speedway Blvd. below A1A.

Where to Stay

Roomba Inn

A budget friendly motel with a seaside vibe. Daytona Beach is literally steps away from your front door. The pier and boardwalk are also within easy walking distance too.

Hilton Homewood Suites

The Hilton is perfect for race fans – it’s a short walk across International Speedway Blvd. to the track. They also have a great complimentary breakfast buffet.

Where to Eat

Joe’s Crab Shack

Joe’s Crab Shack is perched on the only pier in Daytona Beach. This two storey restaurant over the Atlantic has great seafood specials and one of the best happy hours in town. Try the Sam Adams Steampot – snow crab, a pound of clams, lobster claws and smoked sausage all boiled in Samuel Adams Lager. This can easily feed two with an added side.

Aunt Catfish

With great seafood prepared southern style, and a patio on the Halifax River, it’s no wonder Aunt Catfish is both a USA Today 10 Best pick and The Daytona Beach News Journal Reader’s Choice Awards Best All around Seafood Restaurant.

JB’s Fish Camp

A fish camp is a little pocket of individuality in the dominant sea of restaurant chains. Take a short drive south of Daytona Beach to JB’s Fish Camp in New Smyrna Beach for a great taste of Old Florida right on the river.

Things to do

Golf where the pros do at LPGA International. Here you have a choice of two championship 18-hole courses – one designed by Rees Jones and the other by Arthur Hills.

The City of Daytona Beach built these new golf courses for the Ladies Professional Golf Association when the LPGA chose Daytona Beach as the site of their new headquarters. Daytona Beach also renamed Eleventh Street to LPGA Boulevard.

Stop by the Angell & Phelps Chocolate Factory in historic downtown Daytona Beach for a free tour, concluding with free samples. Angell & Phelps has been creating delicious chocolates treats on Beach Street since 1925.

Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1998, the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse in Florida. For spectacular views of Daytona Beach, Ponce Inlet, and surrounding inland waterways, climb the 203 steps to the lighthouse deck. Make sure your camera strap is attached firmly to your wrist – at 175 ft. from the ground, it can get breezy.