Located just minutes south of Daytona Beach and about an hour northeast of Orlando is the quaint seaside town of Ponce Inlet.
Ponce Inlet is known for its rich history and small town atmosphere, but it still offers up all of the essentials for living right along the Atlantic Coast, as well as access to other amenities in the bigger cities nearby.
Ponce Inlet History
The area that would eventually become Ponce Inlet was first explored by Ponce de Leon all the way back in 1513. But the community is actually named after Anthony Ponce, who was one of the original settlers of the area in the early 1800s.
The famous Ponce Inlet lighthouse was built in 1887, but it wasn’t until 1963 that the town of Ponce Inlet was officially incorporated.
The iconic tower has been restored a handful of times over the years, and is still in operation today, listed as an operational private aid to navigation. It stands tall over the community and acts as a lasting symbol of the rich history this area prides itself on.
Ponce Inlet Demographics
At the time when it was incorporated, the town of Ponce Inlet was home to less than a few hundred people. The population moved north of 1,000 residents during the 1980s, and it has continued to rise ever since. During the 2010 census, there were a total of 3,032 residents, and that number is estimated to have grown even higher today.
Ponce Inlet Lifestyle
The lifestyle in Ponce Inlet is all about nature, quiet, and privacy. This is a community with a small town feel that loves to celebrate its rich history. The focal point of that history is the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, which attracts more than 80,000 visitors on an annual basis. It is the tallest lighthouse in Florida and the second tallest lighthouse in the country, so it is visible from just about everywhere in the community.
In addition to appreciating the lighthouse and local history, the Ponce Inlet lifestyle also involves the open seas. There are multiple marinas in town where you will find all kinds of private and charter boats. So if you are interested in heading out for a sunset cruise or a fishing adventure, there is always one available here.
Ponce Inlet Culture
Just as the lifestyle in Ponce Inlet starts with the lighthouse, so do the local cultural attractions. The lighthouse museum is the most popular attraction in town, and people come from all over the world to visit. The former keeper’s quarters have been turned into exhibits that detail what life would have been like for those who were tasked with keeping the light on.
In addition to the lighthouse, there is also the Marine Science Center, which is a great place to learn more about our local aquatic wildlife.
Ponce Inlet Dining
When you are looking for a meal with a view in Ponce Inlet, the place that you want to start is Hidden Treasure Rum Bar & Grill. This fun and quirky restaurant specializes in unique local rums and delicious food that represents all parts of Florida.
Two more great Ponce Inlet seafood restaurants include Down the Hatch and Off The Hook at Inlet Harbor.
Hungry history buffs and fans of stock car racing need to pay a visit to Racing's North Turn Restaurant and Racing Museum, which sits on the exact location where racing history began in Daytona Beach.
From their website:
“The first races in Daytona took place on the beach starting in 1936 until World War II and then continued with the first Grand National Race in 1948. These great car races ran right here outside the door of Racing's North Turn each year until 1958, when NASCAR relocated to the brand new Super Speedway.”
While the history on display here will blow you away, the food will knock your socks off too.
For pizza lovers in Ponce Inlet, Jerry’s Pizzeria Tiki Bar & Grill combines some of the best slices in town with the environment you would expect from a small town located right on the Atlantic coast. Since we are combining passions with this tiki bar pizzeria, you should definitely go out on a limb and try The Santa Maria, which is a pizza topped with shrimp, clams, scallops, and mussels.
Ponce Inlet Real Estate
Housing options in Ponce Inlet include a mix of condos, townhouses, and single-family homes, with a median home value in the $300k's.
A lot of people fall in love with Ponce Inlet and want to visit her often, but decide they'd rather live a little closer to town. For those people, Port Orange is a natural choice.
Over the bridge in Port Orange you have a bigger selection of housing and community options, but you're still just 10-15 minutes away from everything Ponce Inlet has to offer, for example:
Westport is the beautiful new community in charming, Port Orange, where residents enjoy open spaces with popular shopping, dining and entertainment venues, nearby schools, medical centers and easy access to I-95 and other major roadways, plus a large community pool and cabana, and an expansive walking trail at their doorstep!
All homes by Jones Homes USA in Westport are designed with the latest features and technologies, and they’re built for the way you live today, with open living spaces, huge kitchens great for entertaining and many included features that are considered upgrades with other builders. With these single-family homes starting in the mid $200k’s, it’s really time to get moving!
The lifestyle in this area is absolutely perfect for anyone looking to retire to a small beachfront community that is just close enough to a couple of big cities that are filled with amenities.
If fishing during the day and taking a relaxing stroll along the beach in the evening sound like a dream retirement for you, then Ponce Inlet or nearby Port Orange should definitely be on your short list.
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