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SPEEDING THROUGH DAYTONA BEACHVisitors discover diversity of sun-bathed Daytona Beachby Lynn Grisard Fullman and Milton FullmanThe young mother slathered sunscreen first on her young daughter then onto her own browning arms.
She seemed not to hear the seagulls cawing overhead; neither did she notice the walkers traipsing and the cyclists peddling past. Her mission that day was simple: to fill then empty then fill again her bucket. As the sun beat down and beads of perspiration sprang from their glistening source, the mother kept a close eye on the child, who had not a care in the world. The beach has that tonic. Cares are washed into the deep with the crashing of each wave, and real-world concerns seem bleached by the sun. Such is the life of Daytona Beach visitors who journey to Florida's eastern shore for all kinds of reasons -- sandy beaches, historic sites, racing events, great golf, water sports and fresh seafood. With an ocean-park atmosphere, the beach is filled with vendors renting umbrellas, floats, beach-cruiser bicycles and motorbikes and selling everything from hot dogs to beach towels. Ribbons of cars crawl slowly, during daytime hours, along much of the 23 miles of beaches and add to the festival atmosphere. DISCOVERING RACING
The legacy materialized with a modern-day race track recognized as one of the nation's finest racing facilities. Daytona International Speedway daily (except race days) offers guided track tours, allowing visitors to experience the high-banked curves, the backstretch, a drive down pit row and a stop at Victory Lane. The speedway hosts the world-famous Daytona 500 each February and the Pepsi 400 on the first Saturday of July. Throughout the year, the track hosts "Speedweeks," featuring both stock car and sports car races. NEWEST ATTRACTIONS
One of the area's newest attractions is DAYTONA USA, with family-oriented interactive displays and exhibits appealing to race fans and history buffs alike. Feature films, a do-it- yourself participatory pit stop, a video "interview" session with popular drivers, a "call your own race" opportunity and other features make this attraction unique. Race cars on display include the latest Daytona 500 winner and Sir Malcolm Campbell's Bluebird V, an immense car by futuristic design which broke the world land speed record on Daytona Beach in 1935. WATER PARADISE
Deep-sea fishing charters depart daily. A half-day trip costs as little as $25 per adult and includes bait and gear. Charter boat companies take passengers to favored fishing spots to catch red snapper, grouper and other fish. TEEING OFF
This stretch of the Atlantic Coast has 28 challenging yet affordable golf venues, plus miniature golf courses. Courses may be recommended by "Golf Daytona Beach," an organization which packages golf courses and accommodations for added value and convenience. (Call 904-239-7065 or 800-881-7065.)
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TM
Duly anointed,
the child snatched up a tiny shovel and began scooping sand into a blue bucket. 
Most
people think of race cars when they think of Daytona. And, it's a natural
association, considering that early racers -- including Louis Chevrolet and
Henry Ford -- set speed records on the
hard-packed beaches. 
A family
could spend all day at the newly opened Adventure Landing Daytona -- splashing
and zooming in a waterpark, playing in an arcade, racing on a quarter-mile
go-kart track, putting on three
miniature golf courses and sampling one of three restaurants.
Daytona
Beach is the place for water sports -- sailing, surfing and jet skiing, river
cruises. 
Great golf
is another reason worldwide visitors choose the Daytona
Beach area for vacation getaways.