Known more for their souvenirs than their surf supplies, Salty Dog is more than the basic surf shop. Avid surfers often critique their less-than-palatial selection of boards, in fact. But Salty Dog remains an area staple and a local favorite, particularly for souvenirs. Many vacationers stop in every year for a new t-shirt and pair of fun, beachy footwear.
When you pull up in the parking lot, the first thing you’ll notice is the huge, colorful Salty Dog seal painted on the concrete. The store itself is clean, well-organized, but not overly spacious; while you might not be blown away by the variety of offerings, you’ll definitely be met by plenty of t-shirt and footwear options, from Sanuk to Olukai sandals to bikinis, swimwear, and more. A spacious wall of t-shirts offers countless colors and styles that appeal to a huge variety of vacationers (and locals), and designs feature a wide variety of “salty” activities, including fishing, boating, surfing, and more. Natural finishes, graphic stickers, and a plethora of surf posters create the cool/casual surf vibe feeling you’d expect from a beachfront surf shop.
Although it doesn’t have the largest selection when it comes to surfboards, Salty Dog does carry a decent supply. They also offer board and wetsuit rentals, and employees are quick to suggest favorite surf spots–and favorite food spots, for that matter. For other watersports like SUP and kayaking, you’ll have to visit another outfitter.
Because it’s located just steps away from the beach, Salty Dog is a convenient stop for essentials (sunscreen, beach towels, sunglasses, sunburn relief) you might have forgotten for the day. Prices are reasonable, lower than many other local souvenir joints, and employees are generally friendly and helpful–although some shoppers have complained of less-than-polite management.
Salty Dog is located on Front Beach Road, just north of downtown PCB. It’s just steps away from the beach, and it’s within an easy walk or drives to several highly-rated local restaurants. You’ll find it less than a block down from the M.B. Miller County Pier, right across the street from the Holiday Terrace Motel. Salty Dog also runs two additional locations: one in Daytona Beach and one in Ormond Beach, Florida.
Insider Tips:
– Salty Dog’s mascot is literally a dog named Salty, a three-year-old Labradoodle who spends several hours each week at the Daytona Beach store.
– Soft top surfboard and wetsuit rentals are available in 6-hour or 24-hour increments.