Ormond Beach, Florida
Ormond Beach sits on Florida’s Atlantic coast at the northern end of the Daytona Beach area. Known for its broad beach, scenic riverfront, oak-canopied neighborhoods, and easy access to parks and preserves, the city blends laid-back coastal living with deep motorsports history and plentiful outdoor recreation.
About The Community
Ormond Beach developed into a noted winter destination in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Originally called New Britain by settlers from Connecticut, the community was renamed in 1880 to honor an early plantation owner in the area. John Anderson and Joseph Price later built the 75-room Ormond Hotel and golf course, helping draw affluent winter visitors once rail service reached the region. Among the most famous seasonal residents was John D. Rockefeller Sr., who made The Casements his winter home. Today, The Casements serves as a cultural landmark for the city and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Ormond Beach is widely known as the Birthplace of Speed because early organized automobile racing and land-speed trials were held on its hard-packed sands beginning in 1903. Those beach races helped establish the area’s place in motorsports history and influenced the evolution of stock-car racing in the Daytona Beach area. The city continues to celebrate that legacy through antique car events, historic markers, and Birthplace of Speed Park on the beachside, where interpretive displays and replicas recall early racers such as the 1903 Winton Bullet and Olds Pirate. Event schedules and special programs may vary by season.
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Vicinity of Ormond Beach
Additional Details
Today, Ormond Beach is home to more than 40,000 residents and appeals to families, retirees, and seasonal visitors alike. Recreation centers on the Atlantic Ocean, the Halifax River, nearby waterways, city parks, golf courses, and athletic facilities. Visitors can choose from oceanfront hotels and motels, condo-style stays, and vacation rentals throughout the area.
The city also benefits from its location in Volusia County, with shopping, healthcare, and business services close at hand. Cultural highlights include The Casements, the Ormond Memorial Art Museum and Gardens, and the work of local preservation groups that help protect the community’s historic character. Sites such as the Cupola, Pilgrim’s Rest Primitive Baptist Church at Bailey Riverbridge Gardens, and the MacDonald House reflect different chapters of Ormond Beach history, while local performance spaces and community events add arts and entertainment throughout the year.
Ormond Beach also serves as a gateway to eco-tourism and outdoor exploration. Tomoka State Park offers paddling, fishing, trails, and birdwatching in a scenic setting along the Tomoka River, while the Ormond Scenic Loop & Trail remains one of the area’s signature drives and rides. This roughly 30-mile route passes marshes, riverfront vistas, canopies of live oaks, and Atlantic shoreline views, making it a favorite for cyclists, motorcyclists, photographers, and day-trippers. Together, these attractions highlight Ormond Beach’s distinctive mix of history, culture, and natural beauty.
