Any QUIET and NICE beaches in Florida that...

[Papa Deuce]

are within 5 - 10 miles of some places with things to do for kids?

Basically we want a really nice and quiet beach that isn't so secluded that you can't find something for the kids to do if they get "itchy" over the period of a week.

Don't care a bit about WDW or Busch Gardens, or anything like that at all this trip....

 

[loveysbydesign]

We loved Ft. DeSoto beach ...it's a wee bit south of Tampa!
http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/05_Ft_Desoto.htm

 

[Wishing on a star]

Are you talking semi-quiet, or 'secluded'?

We love the beautiful white sand beaches on the Panhandle, in the Destin area.

We have stayed at Sandestin, which can recommend!. Except that if it is not off season, it will not be quiet. Sandestin is now developed with so many units that the main beach can be quite crowded. If you want to take a look, just to see it.... www.sandestin.com

I might suggest a private condo or beach house rental in the area.
www.destinfl.com

I believe that there are condos rented by Newman Daily (if am remembering correctly) that include an umbrella set-up in front of Pompano Joe's. And, there are many reputable rental agencies in this area.

Look up Pompano Joe's! We have spend a couple of wonderful afternoons there. Decent food, cold drinks, gorgeous beach, not wall-to-wall crowded.

Perhaps a condo rental in an area like this, instead of a large resort development, would get you a quieter (but not secluded) beach, on a gorgeous stretch of sand, close to every other amenity that you could want.

 

[Papa Deuce]

Panhandle would be great.. I had just started looking at Destin today, as a matter of fact.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Just stay away from Panama City if you are looking for a 'nice' area.

As you move towards destin, you are moving into a nicer, more upscale area, and nicer sand and water too!

Happy Planning!

 

[minkydog]

Do ya'll camp? If so, I would go for Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. Beautiful quiet, about 5 miles or less to Destin. Also look at Grayson Beach SP. Anything along that area (Santa Rosa Beach, it's between Panama City, which I would not suggest, and Destin, which I would.) There are condos for rent in that area. We love the east Destin area and there are plenty of things to do there. Go to The Crab Trap to eat great seafood. It's right on the beach and when you get done you can run out the backdoor and play in the Gulf!

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

How about Sanibel? Beaches are beautiful, quiet but they have cool restaurants, shops, lots of bike paths, fishing boats plus the shelling is fantastic!

One of our favorite restaurants:

One of the rooms in the restaurant:

 

[Alphabetsoup]

I LOOOVE the BubbleRoom...that is where we had my 16th birthday. ) I always wanted to go back and sit at the table that is part of a 'tunnel of love' boat.

I can't speak for the beaches around Sanibel, but in going past them it seems like kind of a sleepy, laid back area.

Another place to consider that is closer to stuff for kids, would be Pass-A-Grille beach (a little inlet area off of St. Petersburg beach). I lived there for awhile growing up and it is a quiet beach... not far from Tampa (20-30 minute drive). There are lots of vacation rentals along Pass-A-Grille beach, as well as some nicer resorts further up the beach.

if you get to pass-a-grille...be sure to stop in at 'The SeaHorse' restaurant (GREAT brekkie)...and 'The Hurricaine' makes a GREAT grouper sandwich.

 

[shortbun]

Take a look at Amelia Island. It's gorgeous and has plenty of family activity as long as you're not wanting an amusement park. Amelia Island Plantation or the Ritz Carlton are both nice and each offers something different. For small and intimate, the Elizabeth Pointe Lodge. I love Sanibel and Captiva is even more secluded but both have fun things to do. You can get condos there for a week - easily or take a look at 'Tween Waters Resort and make sure your unit is big enough by talking at length to the reservationist about size and layout.

 

[Papa Deuce]

Take a look at Amelia Island. It's gorgeous and has plenty of family activity as long as you're not wanting an amusement park. Amelia Island Plantation or the Ritz Carlton are both nice and each offers something different. For small and intimate, the Elizabeth Pointe Lodge. I love Sanibel and Captiva is even more secluded but both have fun things to do. You can get condos there for a week - easily or take a look at 'Tween Waters Resort and make sure your unit is big enough by talking at length to the reservationist about size and layout.

Nope... just a little more than just swimming... quiet, and nice... that is most important.... but the ability to go somewhere within 30 minutes to get a little more than that would be nice.

 

[lillygator]

Siesta Key.....very relaxing beach, very calm Gulf waters.....

also..."to do"

Selby Gardens
Ringling Museum
Jungle Gardens
Mote Marine Aquarium
Myakka State Park


lots of things in town and so close to Tampa and St Pete....

 

[jbthi]

I love Sanibel and Captiva. The beaches are not crowded and the shelling is great. My favorite thing is being a beach bum. South Seas Island Resort on the tip of Captiva has a lot of water sports the teenagers would like.

 

[lillygator]

one thing to keep in mind on Sanibel - the fees for crossing the bridge if you plan to go off the island daily.

 

[PinkRhombus]

We loved Pensacola Beach. Easy to get to. Things to do, but not super built up.

Mexico Beach area...south of Panama City.

 

[Papa Deuce]

Thanks, all.

 

[Disneylover79]

Take a look at Amelia Island. It's gorgeous and has plenty of family activity as long as you're not wanting an amusement park. Amelia Island Plantation or the Ritz Carlton are both nice and each offers something different. For small and intimate, the Elizabeth Pointe Lodge. I love Sanibel and Captiva is even more secluded but both have fun things to do. You can get condos there for a week - easily or take a look at 'Tween Waters Resort and make sure your unit is big enough by talking at length to the reservationist about size and layout.

I agree with Amelia Island... we stayed at Amelia Inn and it was very nice..we were only there for 2 days we we ventured into town 2 times...not sure what there is close for the kids though...

 

[BelleWDW]

Destin tip-stay at a condo on "Holiday Isle"-I think the road is called "Gulf Shore Drive". SUPER quiet-love, love this area.

If you stay on the Main road its unbelievably hard to exit/get back to your condo at night-the roads are jammed.

You are just 5 min from the "Main Drag" of restaurants, water parks, malls etc-but on Holiday Isle you dont have the crowds on the beaches!

 

[Hollywoodhaha]

Destin, Navarre, or Pensacola.
All in the same area just 20 minutes within each other, maybe a little more.
Well, because I live there

 

[jbthi]

one thing to keep in mind on Sanibel - the fees for crossing the bridge if you plan to go off the island daily.

Just wanted to make sure in case Papa Deuce is interested in Sanibel/Captiva that he understands there is no fee to go to Captiva from Sanibel. The fee is just for coming over the causeway bridge.

 

[ford family]

Anna Maria Island in Manatee County. Great beaches with easy access and good changing facilities, toilets, showers, lifeguards etc.
Free "trolley bus" service up and down the island all day. Huge choice of child friendly and inexpensive restaurants, many in interesting places like right on the sand or on a pier. Boat rentals on the inter-coastal for dolphin and manatee watching.
Off the island, interesting museums designed to amuse children like the Gee Whiz science museum in Sarasota or the South Florida Museum in Bradenton with its resident manatee, Snooty, and a superb planetarium.
Plus cinemas and malls and galleries and theatres and stunning country parks such as Emerson Point and Myakka and on and on and on.
(Can you tell we have a vacation home in Bradenton?)

ford family