Awesome! I hope you have a great visit :)
Sorry I've got no real advice for you.

Take a good variety of clothing with you because no matter what the posted dress code says, the COs will have their own say and you may have to change into something else. I have had to change clothes a couple of times and was glad to have alternate garments in my car.

What happy news!!! I'm so glad for you and your son. If you look on prisontalk.com, you can probably find a thread devoted to the facility where your son is, with posts regarding visitation. I have used that site to read personal accounts as well as general rules surrounding visitation and it's been very helpful to me.
My personal advice is to sleep as well as you can beforehand,, take some pictures to show him if you are allowed, dress comfortably and conservatively, have plenty of small bills for the vending machines, and try to relax and have a wonderful time together.

You must be so excited. I visited my daughter recently and could not enter because I was wearing a sleeveless top. I recall others on this site telling me to take a change of clothes. I've never had any problems before but it was a new guard. Thankfully there was a Target close by so I could buy a tee-shirt and return for the visit but I wasted an hour of precious visiting time. Write your license plate # and his inmate number on a piece of paper to carry with you. You'll need it for the paperwork prior to entrance. I try to get it in my head that I am not going to cry because she needs me to be strong. If she tears up I just remind her we are not going to cry and it passes. I think you will both be so happy to see one another the conversation will be easy and natural for you.
We did learn the sandwiches sell out by 1100-1130. Once a guard made me count the money in my clear plastic bag. I can take in $40 in quarters and one's plus a credit card. The guard made me take $10 back to the car.

Wow, $40? Nice. I can only take in $20 in ones and fives.

You guys have limits on how much money you can take in? We only have that in our maximum prisons.

I've never heard of having a limit to how much money you can take in with you! I always take a lot because the machine sometimes rejects certain bills for no apparent reason. I take my debit card in too, just in case.
Today was the first time I've had a visit terminated early. I got there early, and waited a long time for him to come in. Then at 12:30 they sent a bunch of us home because there were more people arriving and the visiting room was full. So our visit was cut short. That was disappointing.

Yeah, when we're lined up to go through the metal detector, we put our shoes, our jackets or sweaters, our locker keys, and our clear plastic bags with the $20 in those bins that go through the x-ray machines that they have at the airports, and the guard counts everyone's money every time. $20 doesn't get you much when you're feeding two people and the sandwiches are $5 apiece. Ugh.

Never mind. I'm so glad you're going to visit your son! Think happy thoughts and don't argue with the COs. You've got a long way to travel, from California to Florida. Do you like flying?

Cindy, I am so happy for you! I have started visits with my hubby and he is in Florida DOC. You can take in $50.00, no bills larger than $20. I would bring extra changes of clothes because they can be very picky, no solid white or black shirts. Skirts/Dresses and shorts must be below the knees, you must have a slip on with a dress or skirt. No sleeveless clothing and they can not be able to see your bra at all, I always wear a tank top under my shirt to be on the safe side. In addition to your money you are only allowed to bring in your ID and your ignition key, no kings rings. And if it is more than one of you visiting it is $50.00 per person. If you want a bag for your key and money, use a clear Ziploc. Enjoy your long awaited visit and if you have any more questions let me know, hope this was helpful!

Thanks everyone for your help and good wishes. I definitely did not know about the money or slip under skirt. I often wear ankle length skirts for comfort and that is really good to know. I also did not know to write down my license plate or only ignition key rule. Nice tip about get food early. Neither of us would have known that as he has never had a visit due to his family and friends are all in California. Thank God for phones!! speaking of that Kate call me when you can I'd love to chat again.
Thanks again everyone and I will check out that website too!!

Cindy, at the Florida prisons, you do not have to write your license plate number down. They will assign you a pin number once you get to check in and then they will scan your hand and may take your photograph. They will ask you for his DOC number upon arrival. I will call you soon!

oh, also forgot to tell you, you are allowed a hug in and out and you may hold his hands if you wish also!

That's awesome you get to see him. You must be so excited.

My advice, dress like a librarian or like you are going to church, and NO underwire bras. And still bring a duffel bag of clothes in your car.

Remember to lock your car doors. And have the windows up. In MN once, I got called back to go close my doors and windows. I said I don't think they are open, I wouldn't do that. An officer walked outside with me. I said My doors are not open, my windows ARE shut. He said better go close them or your visit is terminated. I said Umm, they are closed, but ok, I will walk over there anyway. So I walked over, nope they were closed. Unlocked car, closed door again after tapping on the window to show they were CLOSED. They play such stupid games. I was so mad by the time I got to see my son.

We could only take 15 dollars unless there was 3 or more of us.

I saw some visits terminated because of that- people leaving their car doors unlocked. I forgot about that! Someone on here once mentioned car searches, too.