Ron Jon Surf Shop Review – For all things Florida Man – Cocoa Beach, Florida
Well, well, well, look what we have here—the Ron John Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach, Florida! A place where out-of-state tourists can pretend they’re locals while paying a premium for their beachy goodies. In other words, it’s your go-to place for all things “Florida Man!”
Surely you’re familiar with the Ron Jon logo – anyone who’s ever been out of their own house has seen someone wearing a Ron Jon t-shirt or hat in their lifetime. And it’s applicable whether you live in Bumfuck, Nebraska or Los Angeles, California. Ron Jon is iconic.
While there are several Ron Jon Surf Shops scattered throughout the coastal United States, the Cocoa Beach store is special – it’s the flagship store and the largest surf shop in the world, clocking in at 52,000 square feet.
Ron Jon Surf Shop – Location
When you’re driving down A1A (the main road through Cocoa Beach), you cannot miss this behemoth of a store.
The store address is:
4151 North Atlantic Avenue
Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
Parking is pretty straightforward. We were staying at the Four Points by Sheraton next door, so we already had a place to park, but in case you don’t, there is a customer lot next to the store, as well as another customer lot across the street. You are allowed 90 minutes to park.
The Cocoa Beach Ron Jon store is open from 9am – 11pm daily.
Inside the store
First off, this store is absolutely gigantic – they’ve got two floors of all things Florida! From the moment I walked in, I knew I was in for a wild ride. Picture this: aisles lined with colorful swimwear, racks bursting with board shorts, and walls adorned with surfboards of all shapes and sizes. It’s like a wave of retail therapy crashing over you. But wait, there’s more!
Yep, you better hold onto your board shorts, because the Ron John Surf Shop is here to save the day with their watersports equipment rentals! So if you came to Cocoa Beach ill-prepared for your beach activities, ya’ boy Ron’s got you covered. You can rent surf boards, paddle boards and other equipment from the shop. Why buy or schelp your own surfboard when you can rent one from the masters themselves? Experience the thrill of riding a board that countless other tourists have waxed up, all while enjoying some water sports excitement — and it’s all in the name of borrowed fun and questionable hygiene.
But what if you’re a landlubber and don’t know how to surf? Again, ya’ boy Ron’s got your back. You can sign up for surf lesson right here at the store!
But back to the other merchandise. The majority of the clothing and other merchandise sold here is Ron Jon Surf Shop-branded items. T-shirts, coffee mugs, stickers, hats, socks, board shorts, hoodies – anything that can have a Ron Jon logo stuck to it, they sell it. Additionally, other surfy/boho brands are sold here, like Billabong, Hurley, Reef — that kind of thing. You’ll also find sports equipment for purchase, like surfboards, snorkeling masks, flippers, and water shoes.
While surfing and surfing accessories take center stage here, Ron Jon is first and foremost a businessman. And businessmen who run famous stores in touristy towns know that out-of-towners forget shit at home. So you’re going to find a treasure trove of practical items here for your beach vacation, like bandaids, sunglasses, breath mints, beach towels and sunscreen.
Conclusion
I’m not a surfer, I’ve never been motivated to try surfing, and I’m not all about that Salt Life. So while this beach lifestyle really isn’t for me, I enjoyed walking around and checking out the store. I even embraced the cliche of “Midwesterner visits Florida” and bought a Ron Jon hat. I definitely recommend a visit to the store if you’re in the area, as it has a little something for everyone. So as we bid farewell to the Ron John Surf Shop, let us embrace the diversity it offers. From t-shirt clichés to practical beach essentials and watersports equipment rentals, it’s a place where laughter, sun protection, and adrenaline intertwine!
