AVALON STATE PARK: On A1A, four miles north of the Fort Pierce Inlet. Amenities: Restrooms with changing rooms; no lifeguards; parking. What you should know: Although the park is open, it did sustain damage during the fall hurricanes. The boardwalk had to be removed, but the facilities are operational. This park is rather isolated. Website: http://www.floridastateparks.org/avalon/default.cfm
BLIND CREEK: 5500 South A1A, Fort Pierce. Just north of the nuclear plant, on FPL property. Unguarded beach with minimal parking.
BLUE HERON: 4000 South A1A, Fort Pierce. At the end of Blue Heron Boulevard, on the southern border of the Ocean Village Golf Course. Amenities: No restrooms; no lifeguards; parking. What you should know: Visitors must climb over a sand dune to get to the beach; no boardwalk is available.
COCONUT DRIVE PARK: Off A1A, at the end of Coconut Drive. Amenities: No restrooms; no lifeguards; parking. What you should know: You might hear the sound of construction work taking place on the condominium project just to the south. Visitors must climb over a relatively high sand dune to get to the beach; no boardwalk is available.
DOLLMAN BEACH: 8600 South A1A, Fort Pierce. 1,850-foot undeveloped beach.
EXCHANGE PARK: 2 miles south of Fort Pierce Inlet.
FORT PIERCE INLET STATE RECREATION AREA/NORTH JETTY PARK: 905 Shorewinds Drive on A1A, Fort Pierce. Phone: (772) 468-3985. 340 acres on north side of Fort Pierce Inlet. An variety of birds. 2,200 feet of oceanfront land, plus 1,500 feet on the north side of the inlet. Amenities: Restrooms with changing rooms; no lifeguards; picnic tables; nature trails; plenty of parking. Cost: $5 per carload, up to eight people, $3 for single-occupant vehicles and motorcycles. What you should know: This park offers a wide expanse of beach, including plenty of room to sunbathe. There are nature trails nearby, as well as an up-close view of the inlet. Back in the 1970s a group of surfers, including Fort Pierce's current mayor, Bob Benton, aligned with conservationists to get the state to create the park. It happened just before the land was to be turned over to condominium builders. Web site: http://www.floridastateparks.org/fortpierceinlet/default.cfm
FREDERICK DOUGLASS MEMORIAL PARK: 3500 South A1A, Fort Pierce. 1,040 feet of beach with 175 parking spaces. Amenities: No restrooms; picnic tables; lifeguards (seasonal); horseback riding allowed; outdoor showers; hitching posts. What you should know: This is the only beach in St. Lucie County that allows horseback riding. To obtain a permit or for more information, call St. Lucie County Parks and Recreation at (772) 462-1521.
GREEN TURTLE BEACH ADDIDTION: On A1A just north of the nuclear plant. Amenities: 1,240 feet of beachfront. No facilities; no lifeguards. What you should know: Visitors to this beach can take self-guided tours of the Turtle Beach Nature Trail.
GULFSTREAM AVENUE ACCESS: On A1A at the end of Gulfstream Avenue, just south of the South Jetty. Amenities: 60 feet of beaches with six paved parking spaces, dune crossover and benches under a pavilion. What you should know: Archie's Seabreeze restaurant is just a block away.
HERMANS BAY ACCESS: 7800 South A1A. 110 feet of beach with 12 parking spaces.
JACK ISLAND STATE PRESERVE: Along the Indian River Lagoon, 2 miles north of the Fort Pierce Inlet. A 631-acre mangrove island; bird sanctuary. Website: http://www.floridastateparks.org/fortpierceinlet/default.cfm
JAYCEE PARK: A1A and Melaleuca, Fort Pierce. Phone: (772) 460-2200. Hours: sunrise to sunset daily. Three large and two small pavilions, tennis courts, basketball courts, restrooms, showers and grills. Web site: www.ci.fort-pierce.fl.us
JOHN BROOKS PARK: On A1A, about two miles south of the Fort Pierce Inlet. Amenities: No restrooms; no lifeguards; parking available. What you should know: This is a secluded beach with lots of room for sun-bathing.
MIDDLE COVE: 4400 South A1A, Fort Pierce. Five miles south of the Fort Pierce Inlet. Amenities: No restrooms; no lifeguards; some parking. What you should know: Visitors must climb across a sand dune to get to the beach.
NORMANDY BEACH: 8500 South A1A, Fort Pierce. about six miles south of the Fort Pierce Inlet. Amenities: No restrooms; no lifeguards; some parking. What you should know: This was one of the major training grounds for the D-Day invasion of World War II.
NORTH CAUSEWAY ISLAND: 1020 North A1A, Fort Pierce. 11 acres with ample parking, covered picnic facilities, fishing, boat ramp and restrooms.
OCEAN DRIVE BEACH ACCESS: Three access points on Ocean Drive just north of Fort Pierce Inlet State Recreation Area. Amenities: No restrooms; no lifeguards; no parking. What you should know: This is a no-frills beach-access point.
PEPPER PARK: 3300 N. A1A, Fort Pierce. Phone: (772) 460-2200. Hours: sunrise to sunset daily. Amenities: Large pavilion, picnic tables, grills restrooms and showers, playground, tennis courts and basketball courts. What you should know: The beach is nice, but the park itself is a bit run-down in spots. The Navy Seal Museum is on-site. The "Urca de Lima" shipwreck is located 200 yards offshore, about 10 to 15 feet under. Web site: http://www.stlucieco.gov/leisure/beaches.htm
PORPOISE BEACH ACCESS: On A1A at the end of Porpoise Avenue, just south of the South Jetty. Amenities: No restrooms; no lifeguards; outdoor showers; water fountains; minimal parking. What you should know: Archie's Seabreeze restaurant is just a block away.
SOUTH BEACH BOARDWALK: 430 South A1A, Fort Pierce. Amenities: Temporary restrooms; lifeguards; some parking. What you should know: This park suffered a good deal of hurricane damage; the boardwalk was washed away.
SOUTH CAUSEWAY ISLAND: 414 Seaway Drive, Fort Pierce. Boat ramp, ample parking, historic museum, large pavilion, picnic facilities with grills, playground, restrooms, fishing.
SOUTH JETTY PARK: 180 feet of guarded beach with 60 paved parking spaces. 1,200-foot fishing pier, boardwalk, restrooms, guarded year-round, restaurants and hotels, covered tables and seating.
SURFSIDE PARK/KIMBERLY BERGALIS MEMORIAL PARK: A1A across from Jaycee Park, Fort Pierce: Phone: (772) 460-2200. Hours: sunrise to sunset daily. Amenities: Temporary restrooms; lifeguards; some parking; outdoor showers; picnic tables, What you should know: This park was named for Kimberly Bergalis, a local woman who contracted AIDS from a Stuart dentist in 1989, the first documented case of its kind. She died in 1991. Web site: www.ci.fort-pierce.fl.us
WALTON ROCKS BEACH: 6501 South A1A, Fort Pierce. Over 3,000 feet of beaches with unpaved parking. Restrooms, showers, dune crossovers, close to shore snorkeling to natural rock reef. What you should know: This is St. Lucie County's only dog-friendly beach. Leashes are not required, but owners must keep their dogs under control at all times and pick up any waste. A maximum of three dogs per owner is allowed.
WAVELAND PUBLIC BEACH: On A1A, just north of the Island Club condominium. Amenities: Restrooms; lifeguards; plenty of parking. What you should know: This beach is relatively rocky, with little room for sunbathing.