The City of Sanford is truly a "gateway" back in time. With it's quaint Main Street, historic residential area and a beautiful waterfront, the City of Sanford takes you back to a more peaceful time in history. Sanford is located on the shores of Lake Monroe and the St. Johns River and is less than 30 minutes away from some of Central Florida's more popular tourist attractions and less than an hour away from the most famous beach in the world, Daytona Beach. Sanford itself is the home of many things that would draw people to the area, including the Central Florida Zoo, the Marina, and a Civic Center. One of the best ways to enjoy Sanford is to take the historic downtown walking tour. The adventure begins at the famous clock located in the center of town.