The must-see beaches in your area

Summer is supposed to be filled with trips to the beach, relaxing boat cruises and long days of surf.

Orlando isn't exactly the best place to be for all that.

Luckily for us, we're no more than 45 minutes from the shore, and there are plenty of beaches within a couple hours of UCF that are worth the trek.  We picked out four top beach destinations near Orlando and gave a rundown on why they're the cream of the crop.

Cocoa Beach:  For watersports, it's the best beach near UCF.  Consistently choppy waves make it ideal for surfing and skimming, and strong winds from the Atlantic make it great for windsurfing and kiteboarding.  At the heart of Cocoa Beach is its renowned pier.  The pier is a little tame when it comes to bars and restaurants, but it's still a nice, relaxing boardwalk with a great view.

Cocoa Beach is unfortunately not as much a home to young crowds as other beaches, but it's so close to Merritt Island and Satellite Beach that there's always somewhere to go if Cocoa Beach isn't cutting it.  It is also home to Ron Jon Surf Shop, one of the biggest surf shops in the area, although it's a bit overpriced unless it's surf gear you're looking for.

Clearwater Beach:  You'd be hard-pressed to find whiter sand and calmer waves north of Miami.  It's one of the biggest tourist destinations in the world, and for good reason: the temperature of the Gulf of Mexico is always in the upper '70s and Tampa Bay summer weather is pretty consistent with clear skies and 90 degrees. 

Like Cocoa Beach, Clearwater's centerpiece is its famous boardwalk, Pier 60.  Pier 60 is lined by booths and tables rather than bars and restaurants and is known for its nightly sideshows and entertainers.  It's also one of the better fishing docks in Tampa Bay.  The Clearwater Beach area and the nearby Intracoastal are great for boating; there's even a pirate ship attraction that can take you for a cruise around the gulf.

Fort De Soto Park Beach:  De Soto isn't your typical beach, but that didn't stop TripAdvisor from naming it the No. 1 beach in the country in 2008.  At the southern end of St. Petersburg, Fort De Soto Beach is tucked away in the trees and mangroves. The folks at TripAdvisor call it "a portrait of tranquility." It's primarily a camping destination, and its campsites are never far from the shore.

 The Civil War fort that the beach is named for is still intact (in fact, it never saw any action) and tours are available.  There aren't any of the usual tourist destinations nearby, and there are very few restaurants and stores, so De Soto Beach is more for a day trip than a quick visit to the beach.  

Daytona Beach:  The beach may not have the nicest sand or the clearest water in Florida, but Daytona Beach is synonymous with Spring Break for a reason: it is the premier spot for nightlife and beach entertainment.  Daytona's clubs, like the Ocean Deck, are half outdoors, half indoors so you can grab a margarita in the sun, then head inside and party with the locals at night. 

Daytona Beach is a little touristy, and its main roads are a tad tackier than the other Florida beaches, but it's easy to avoid the gift shops and stick to the nightclubs and beach bars. 
Daytona Beach is known for one thing that no other beach can claim: it is one of the only places in the world, let alone Florida, that lets you drive on the sand.  The best part about Daytona Beach is that it seems like something is always going on there, whether it's a race at the Daytona International Speedway or one of its many motorcycle-themed weeks.