Beach Bocce Ball needs just two things: A beach bocce set and, you guessed it, a beach. This week, we’re taking a stroll along one of the best Atlantic coast beaches in Florida: Jacksonville Beach. Just a few minutes east of the city of Jacksonville, this laid-back community of just over 20,000 is a great place for taking it easy. April 28 marked the official “opening” of the beaches, and the season is now in full swing.

Jacksonville Beach has everything you expect in a great Florida beach—white sand, warm waters, and lots to do. You can book a room in one of the oceanfront hotels, or go for something a little more romantic. The Pelican Path B&B is a quaint spot with fantastic views and a convenient boardwalk right down to the water. Why not get up early and play some Beach Bocce Ball as you watch the sunrise? With the wide and blue Atlantic as your backdrop, you can enjoy a picture-perfect game that you won’t soon forget.

No doubt, it gets scorching hot in Jacksonville. So cool off after an afternoon game of Beach Bocce Ball with an Italian ice from Rita’s. Or mosey into any of the local watering holes for a cold one. Jacksonville Beach has everything you could want, without the hubbub and high prices of more “touristy” places. Best of all, the beaches are just gorgeous and there’s plenty of public access.

If you need a little break from the summer sun—maybe you have fair skin and burn easily—the Beaches Museum & History Park offers an educational slice of Florida history. See how the Seminole Indians once lived, or learn about Florida’s early European explorers.

Jacksonville Beach has a pretty hip nightlife, too. When the sun sets on your day at the beach, why not head up to Mojo Kitchen for some great pit BBQ and live Blues music? Looking for something a little more, sophisticated? The Players by the Sea perform stage plays year round, from Shakespeare to Tennessee Williams. See: There’s so much more to do at the beach than just get your toes wet. Make Beach Bocce Ball a part of your day, and it will truly be perfect.