Cocoa Beach on Florida’s Space Coast is world famous for its surf and the thousands of people who visit each year in order to take advantage of its beach.

On a recent visit, I stayed at the Four Points Sheraton, which offers the World’s Largest Surf Complex (TM) with beach rentals, surfing lessons, a surf travel agency and beach gear shopping all under one roof. Their Shark Pit Bar & Grill is conveniently located in the lobby and boasts a 5,600-gallon shark & exotic fish aquarium in the round and they’ve even got a Starbucks in the lobby.

This is the perfect destination for surfers and families with kids – between the nearby beach, pool and surfing-themed activities, there is plenty to keep kids and teens busy.

However, as you may have already guessed, I wasn’t in Cocoa Beach to surf. My sport of choice is shopping and I got a lot done while there. One traffic light up from the Sheraton is State Road 520, which brings you to both the Merritt Square Mall and shopping downtown at historic Cocoa Village.

Merritt Square, with 125 specialty retailers and restaurants, features Macy’s JC Penney’s, Sears and Dillard’s as its anchors. Plan to spend at least a couple of hours here, as I did, as they have a terrific lineup of shops: Body Central (where I scored on a fantastic jacket on sale), a Dollar Star (Xmas wrapping paper), Books-a-Million (more stocking stuffers), Claire’s, Male Attractions, Hot Topic, Payless, Rack Room Shoes, Trade Secret and many more. For the kids, they’ve got a custom-designed 1,500-square-foot children’s play area, Simon Kidget’s Korner. Of course there’s a food court, but I opted for the Piccadilly Cafeteria – they’re getting harder and harder to find in FL.

After the mall, I headed off to historic Cocoa Village, about another ten minutes away on 520. On the day I visited, there was a street fair going on, featuring crafts of every ilk. However, craft fair or no, the area shops alone will keep you busy for an afternoon.

Destiny’s Attic is a charming shop selling porcelain dolls, souvenirs, jewelry, handbags and more. Miss Bailey’s Curiosity Shop sells antiques and bric a brac and there’s also the Cocoa Village Antique Mall, with multiple rooms of treasure to browse through. The Bath Cottage sells things for the bath and much more – aromatherapies, gift items, laugh-out-loud wall plaques and trinkets. If you’re a reader, stop by Book Xchg, which is filled with hundreds of used paperbacks and some hardcover books, all at bargain prices. And don’t miss Champagne Taste Consignment Boutique, which carries gently used designer clothing, shoes, handbags and accessories. Frankly My Dear offers an eclectic collection of upscale ladies wear, while The Rag Bag sells recycled hand-painted shirts. Woods and Water features gifts for the sportsman and the Strawberry Patch carries traditional and contemporary Victorian accessories, framed pictures, mirrors, lamps, gifts and candles.

As you make your way towards the end of Brevard Avenue, stop in at Murdoch’s, a casual restaurant with an Old Florida feel that serves up great cocktails.

See Part II of my Cocoa Beach blog for info on dining and entertainment.

Four Points Sheraton: http://www.starwoodhotels.com/fourpoints/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1515

Merritt Square Mall: www.merrittsquaremall.com

Historic Cocoa Village: http://www.cocoavillage.com/directory