13 Best Beaches Near Orlando for a Quick Coastal Getaway

where you can drive the hard-packed sand in lieu of dragging your belongings to the beach from the hot parking lot. Distance from Orlando: 263 miles Don't miss: Castillo de San Marcos is an Instagram moment ， or climb the stairs at the St. Augustine Lighthouse to the top for scenic views of the city. You can even drive yourself onto the beach at various access points， The nations oldest city is home to glittering beach waters and a thriving beach-front community. The two-hour drive from Orlando might seem long， an old military fort near the Intracoastal waterway， but youll want to explore the beach and city for more than one day. After lounging on the sand， you can explore the Castillo de San Marcos，。