Another Beach Question

[Poohbeck]

We will be traveling to Orlando in Feb. YEAH!!

We would like to do a beach on each coast and I need some help...

I think we decided to do Daytona Beach (days after the race) because we think it's cool that we can drive on it. My husband is dying to do this and my boys DS7 & DS9 will think that it is way COOL! We hope to also find some things to do around the beach area. We may also try to do the Canaveral National Seashore.

As for the gulf coast, looking at the maps it looks like we should stick to the Tampa area. We don't want to be driving all day to get to a beach. I only have to drive 60minutes here in CT to get to a beach. I found a website that listed some beaches in the Tampa, but, I'm still unclear.

For the gulf side, we would like to be able to swim (temp. permitting) and let the boys see crystal clear water, not like what we see up here in New England. But, don't get me wrong, I love our New England beaches, as cold as they are. I would just like the boys to experience something different that they have never seen.

Thanks for all your help.

 

[kilee]

I would just go to St. Pete Beach or Clearwater. We've done both on the Gulf Side. We live less than a mile from Lake Erie and while I know it's not the same as the ocean-- there are no less than 10 beaches within 15 minutes of me (4 within less than 3 minutes)-- I'm not impressed by beaches. I think both of the ones I named are average. I actually thought there would be something more special about them (I think I thought they'd be more touristy and they weren't). However, they were clean and typical of the gulf side.
We did Daytona Beach too after doing the track tour. Now driving on the beach was really neat- never did that around here. You could also rent ATV's- which I wanted to do but we didn't have time. I will next time.

I wanted to add-- I don't know the drive time or anything----- but on the gulf side is supposed to be Sannibel Island (someone in the know pls correct my spelling ). It is supposed to be full of seashells and such and a great place to visit. I've only heard good things.

 

[swilshire]

Sanibel is our favorite, but it's about five hours from Orlando.

We've spent many happy days at Clearwater and St Pete. I agree that these would be excellent choices. Very kid friendly.

Sheila

 

[mepperson]

What about Cocoa beach? My DH wants to go there for a day while we are there the 1st week of May. Any good? Too touristy? I've looked at the "official site" but would like some REAL opinions.

Thanks, Mary

 

[twinz]

When you get to Clearwater ask a local about a good local beach, we went to one just south of Clearwater, and it was BEAUTIFUL, white sandy beach, nice waves..not crowded at ALL. I can not remember the name of the beach, but we had to drive through a heavy residential area to get there. I prefer the Gulf Coast over the East Coast.

 

[jtdl]

We went to Daytona this past Feb and just to let you know, you can't drive on the main part of the beach, it is down past the "resort" area where you can drive. We have a beach less than 45 minutes from us that you can drive on, so we didn't attempt to drive on it but I remember seeing the toll booths along the main road, but further down towards Daytona Shores. We stayed at an ocean front motel right at Daytona Beach and cars weren't allowed on that part of the beach.

 

[Poohbeck]

Thanks to everyone who has answered.

I did also read a bit about Cocoa Beach and that's sounds like fun too! I think it said they have a pier there.

As for the Tampa/Clearwater area. I found a website that lists all the beaches in Florida by zone. The Clearwater area lists a bunch. I'm thinking of going to Pier 30 Park or Sand Key Park?!?!? Anyone know of these??? thanks again.

 

[loveysbydesign]

So which beach is the best and the closest?

 

[Jason71]

Things to Do in Daytona:

The Speedway has a nice museum dedicated to NASCAR, if that interests you; fans could spend at least a half day, maybe more.

Daytona Lagoon, across A1A from the beach, is basically a low-budget Wet & Wild, with go-carts and mini golf. Fun for kids, but probably underwhelming if they've been to one of the Disney water parks just days before.

There is a small "boardwalk" area (which isn't even a real boardwalk, it's all cement) along the beach. Arcades, pizza and ice cream stands, a handful of thrill rides--again, anticlimactic after Disney (and nowhere near as clean), but maybe worth an afternoon.

Your kids would probably enjoy Sunsplash Park, a county park that overlooks the beach (maybe a mile south of International Speedway Blvd./92 on A1A). Lots of fountains to splash around in and playground equipment, as well as picnic tables and such. Best of all, it's free.

As mentioned above, driving is blocked around 2 prime miles of the beach, north of where International Speedway Blvd. meets the beach. It may be blocked at times along other stretches, based on the tide and softness of the sand. Expect to pay a $5 toll.

Finally, although it's not in Daytona proper, consider breakfast at DeLeon Springs, a state park about 30 minutes inland. There is a restaurant in an old mill, you cook your own pancakes right at your own table, it's a lot of fun. There is also a spring-fed lake for swimming (always 72 degrees year-round).

 

[spiceycat]

both Tampa and Coca Beach are around 90 minutes from Orlando - Clearwater, St Peterburg and Daytona Beach are a little further. (2 hours)

 

[MNmom2]

We went to Cocoa Beach 2 yrs ago in April and thought it was great! Clean and the kids had a blast!

 

[Dizneydaz]

On our last trip, Sept. 2005, we also wanted to do the beach thing. Due to possible hurricane problems, we didn't book any rooms along the coast. We visited Anna Marie Island-my 6yr. DD absoluetely loved it! We walked along the shore just before sunset and had it mostly to our selves. No shells to speak of.

We tried to stay on the Island, but couldn't get a room. We ended up for 2 nights in Sarasota, just off the highway. The next day we visited Sanibel Island. IT WAS GREAT! We collected lots of shells, the water was bathtub warm (being from California that was a treat!-our water is cold). We really enjoyed and plan to visit again-depending on the time of year and the weather, of course. It was a long drive back to WDW but since we took our time, and made several stops, it wasn't too bad. Have a great time!

After we checked out we visited a beach area about 10 min. from our Sarasota hotel/inn. Can't think of the name right now, but it was a huge expanse of sand, not too crowded, however-no shells.

We're actually planning on a spur of the moment trip this month if we can get everything worked out-Great airfares from our local (Ontario, Calif.) airport for January only. Hope it works out!

 

[cinamin27]

both Tampa and Coca Beach are around 90 minutes from Orlando - Clearwater, St Peterburg and Daytona Beach are a little further. (2 hours)

Daytona is actually only about 45 minutes to an hour from Orlando depending on how fast you drive & the traffic - just a quick trip on I4 east

 

[robertchance]

which beach in CT do u go to? my favorite is hammannassett state park

 

[Jason71]

both Tampa and Coca Beach are around 90 minutes from Orlando - Clearwater, St Peterburg and Daytona Beach are a little further. (2 hours)

Actually, Cocoa Beach is only about an hour away from WDW, barring traffic. (Take state road 528, aka the "Beach Line"--it is a toll road, FYI).

Daytona is also about an hour from WDW--possibly a bit more to get to the actual beach, as opposed to the city itself (once you exit off I-4, you still have at least 10 minutes of driving thru traffic lights before you see the ocean). Assuming your speed is anywhere near the flow of traffic, it would take 2 hours only in afternoon rush hour or during special events.

 

[kilee]

both Tampa and Coca Beach are around 90 minutes from Orlando - Clearwater, St Peterburg and Daytona Beach are a little further. (2 hours)

This info is incorrect. We've done the Daytona Beach thing and have driven through Daytona on every driving trip to Orlando--- the drive time is never more than an hour even in heavier traffic. It's closer to 45 minutes.

Also, we did Clearwater and that was just a hair over an hour-- about 75 minutes and we hit a lot of traffic.

 

[jtdl]

This info is incorrect. We've done the Daytona Beach thing and have driven through Daytona on every driving trip to Orlando--- the drive time is never more than an hour even in heavier traffic. It's closer to 45 minutes.

Also, we did Clearwater and that was just a hair over an hour-- about 75 minutes and we hit a lot of traffic.

Have to agree with this. It took us one hour to get from WDW to our hotel on the beach in Daytona on the day of the Bud Shoot-out during which there was quite a bit of traffic leading up to the Speedway. On another trip we went to Clearwater Beach from WDW and it took about 90 minutes and there were back ups all along the highway which was under construction at the time.

 

[rkmassa]

What about Cocoa beach? My DH wants to go there for a day while we are there the 1st week of May. Any good? Too touristy? I've looked at the "official site" but would like some REAL opinions.

Thanks, Mary

We went to Cocoa Beach in December on Christmas Day. Was a short drive and found some great state parks to pick from for beach access.

http://www.cocoabeach.com/beachinfo.html

This might help you choose.