Forever linked to Cape Canaveral and the U.S. space program, Cocoa Beach is famous as the setting of the popular 1960s TV show I Dream of Jeannie. Filming for the TV show took place entirely in Southern California in place of Cocoa and Cape Canaveral, Florida. Although there have been references to Major Nelson's residence being at 1020 Palm Dr in the show it's all filmed in California and the address does not exist in real life. Therefore, no local landmarks or houses have been used for the filming.
Understand
The city is on the east coast of Florida on the Atlantic Ocean. Between the ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway is the narrow coastal region that is the location of the city.
Get in
Cocoa Beach can be accessed by several roads: Florida routes 520 & 528 cross the Indian River and Merritt Island from Interstate 95; A1A parallels the coast and provides access from the south. Cocoa Beach is on the water, so access by water is also possible.
Get around
By bus
- Space Coast Area Transit is the name of the local Brevard County bus service. It is a cheap way to get around and is handicap accessible. The website provides maps and timetables. Buses travel to most sites and places of interest. $1.25 per ride, or $35 for a monthly pass.
Bike or Walk
- Many bike lanes are available along major roads.
- The area is very pedestrian-friendly, with good sidewalks.
See
The beach is a justifiably famous stretch of Atlantic beach. Activities include beach volleyball, surfing, sunbathing, surf fishing.
- Thousand Islands, 28.3228°, -80.6281°. A collection of small mangrove islands in the Banana River Lagoon, accessible by tour boat or kayak. One can often see dolphins, manatees, and many bird species. Strong bioluminescence in late summer.
Do
- Sterling Casino Lines, 180 Jetty Drive. Go out for night on the water on Sterling. Ages 18+.
- Schooner Sails, Inc., 670 Glen Cheek Dr, +1 321 783-5274. This is a kind of tourist attraction, but it's nice. It's like a historic sail around the Space Coast, and you can get special reserved rides for weddings, birthdays, etc.
- The Corner, Inc., 112 Dixie Ln, +1 321 783-8287. One of a kind piercing parlor, exceeds OSHA standards, open till midnight on weekdays, wonderful reputation, amazing artwork by Michelle and Rob.
- Cocoa Beach Pier, 401 Meade Ave, 28.3677°, -80.6014°. Restaurants, Bars, Gift Shops, and Fishing. Sport equipment can be rented here, as well.
- Fin and Fly Fishing Charters (Fin and Fly Fishing), 951 Bali Rd, +1 321-652-5903, finandflycharters@gmail.com. 24/7. Deep sea, shark & inshore fishing charters in the rich waters off Florida's Space Coast from Cocoa Beach to Port Canaveral. 2017-07-17
Buy
- Merritt Square Mall, 777 E Merritt Island Cswy, 28.35451°, -80.68709°, +1 321-452-3270. Anchors include Macy's, Sears, JCPenny, and Dillard's. 2021-05-19
- Ron Jon Surf Shop, 4151 N. Atlantic Ave, 28.3563°, -80.6079°, +1 321-799-8888. "One of a Kind!" The company's flagship store, and advertised as the "World's Largest Surf Shop". This is the place to be to meet some locals, check out a few boards, and even get some clothes and keepsakes for others.
Eat
- Azteca Two Mexican Restaurant, 1600 N Atlantic Ave (Inside the resort on cocoa beach), +1 321-784-1188. Mexican food
- Florida's Seafood Bar & Grill, 480 West Cocoa Beach Cswy, 28.3575°, -80.6143°, +1 321-784-0892. Serves big shrimp, regular shrimp, rock shrimp, lobsters, snow crabs, scallops, and for those who don't like their food swimming before they eat it, steak, prime rib and chicken are also offered. Also serves fresh oysters, prepared in over a dozen different ways.
- Tokyo Japanese Steak House, 5840 North Atlantic Avenue, +1-407-799-0058. A family-owned Japanese steak house, and the family has a lot of personality. Each cook comes out and cooks in front of you, doing tricks like making volcanoes out of onions, and performing fire tricks. Choose two meats from: shrimp, steak, and chicken, comes with rice and sauces.
- Slow and Low Barbeque, 306 N. Orlando Ave, 28.3239°, -80.6102°, +1 321-783-6199. Smoked pork, chicken, beef, turkey, ribs, wings, and a variety of Southern-themed side dishes. Outdoor patio with bar and live music on weekends.
- 4th Street Fillin' Station, 382 N Orlando Ave, +1 (321) 613-2462. Restaurant that used to be a gas station. Local beer selection, vegetarian/vegan options, outdoor seating with games and great ambiance. 2020-12-02
Drink
- Time Out Sports Bar, 1275 N Atlantic Ave, +1 321 783-2252.
- Paddy Cassidy's Irish Pub, 2011 N Atlantic Ave, +1 321 783-0810.
- Lido Cabaret, 104 Cleveland Ave, +1 321 784-1022.
- Cocoa Beach Brewing Company, 150 N. Atlantic Ave (South on A1A between 1st and 2nd St.), 28.321331°, -80.609168°, +1 321 613-2941. M-Th 1-9, F-S 1-11, Sun 12-6. Cocoa Beach's only nano brewery. Small pub w/ deck, usually 2-4 varieties on tap. Parking on street or in rear.
- Coasters Pub, 5675 N Atlantic Ave #122, +1 321 613-3041. Over 100 beers and full liquor license.
Sleep
- Doubletree Cocoa Beach Ocean Front Hotel, 2080 N Atlantic Avenue, +1 321-783-9222. This hotel features newly renovated guest rooms and suites - each with an ocean view.
- Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront, 1550 N Atlantic Avenue, 28.3387°, -80.6077°.
- International Palms Resort, 1300 N Atlantic Ave, 28.3338°, -80.6089°, +1 321 783-2271.
- Las Olas Beach Club of Cocoa Beach, 5100 Ocean Beach Blvd, 28.3652°, -80.6035°, +1 321-784-2706. The same family management and hospitality have prevailed since opening in 1988. Accommodations are one, two and three bedroom fully furnished condominiums ranging in size from 1500+ to 1700+ sq.ft., some with oceanfront views and some with poolside views. All units have two bathrooms, full kitchen, large private balcony, washer/dryer, 2-3 televisions, DVD/VCR, Roman soak tubs, free wireless internet, and on-site management.
- Ramada Inn, 900 Friday Rd.
- South Beach Inn, 1701 S. Atlantic Ave, 28.2891°, -80.6078°, +1 321 783-2524, sbicocoabeach@gmail.com. Offers oceanfront pet and family friendly suites with fully equipped kitchens, walk in closets, and comfortable queen size beds. Outdoor patio & grills available for guest use. $90-$160
Go next
- Cape Canaveral is home to Kennedy Space Center and Patrick Air Force Base.
- Port Canaveral is the home base to many cruise ships, including ships of the Disney, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival Cruise lines. There are also seafood restaurants at the port. Nice place to watch the giant ships, smaller craft, and sea birds.
- The Canaveral Lock allows boats to travel from the Atlantic/Port Canaveral to the Indian River. It's a little hard to locate, but visitors can watch small boats as they are lifted a small amount to compensate for tidal differences between ocean and river. Free.