Beach/Coastal Reccomendations

[loobylou44]

While we are in Orlando this December we are planning on spending a day at the coast, probably 26th December. We want to go somewhere where there are nice beachfront cafes, shops and a good atmosphere. Not bothered about spending ages on the beach (just nice to look at!!) we are thinking maybe Daytona or Clearwater, don't want to drive more than 2 hours max. Have never been to the coast in florida so suggestions please!

 

[orangetiggs]

we love st petes, there is a pier and we went dolphn watching from the pier

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I would recommend the West coast personally, never been a fan of Daytona even though it is closer.

Anna Maria Island is fabulous but very very quiet, Clearwater or St Pete's both have great beaches and a bit more going on too, just under a 2 hour drive.

This site is very good:

www.beachhunter.net

 

[wayneg]

Went to Daytona for a day last August, it was like a ghost town, ocean was nowhere near as nice as the west coast. Easy choice for me Cleawater or St Petes.

 

[loobylou44]

Thanks guys for your good advice as usual.
Was already thinking West Coast would be better, so Daytona is a no, Anna maria looks fabulous but I think we will save that for when DS(16) and DD(14) are off our hands! So the decision will be between st petes and clearwater.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

If you have a full day you could spend time at both, they are not too far apart.

The bridge that spans St Pete's Bay, the Sunshine Skyway, is a 'must do'.

Check out the link I posted earlier and perhaps 'google' on the tourism sites for both you may get a better idea of what there is to do.

 

[loobylou44]

Oh Wow! Sunshine Skyway looks amazing - we are driving that definitely! thanks Johnny.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Oh Wow! Sunshine Skyway looks amazing - we are driving that definitely! thanks Johnny.

Cool - the views are spectacular.

 

[fairytale]

Having previously done a little research myself and decided on St Petes for our "Beach Day", its a pleasant surprise to see the Sunshine Highway is close by, WOW !!!!!

We are planning on doing a dolphin trip whilst there too

Will we automatically drive over this bridge to get to St Petes or do we need to go a certain way.

Direction from Disney or any ideas on a useful map site would be really appreciated, this is coming from the Mum of a family that got lost for 3 hours once when leaving Orlando Airport to get to our hotel

 

[Pinky166]

Does anyone know roughly how far St Petes & Clearwater are from Busch Gardens?

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Does anyone know roughly how far St Petes & Clearwater are from Busch Gardens?

Around 45 minutes to Clearwater beach, add another 20 or so for St Pete's.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Having previously done a little research myself and decided on St Petes for our "Beach Day", its a pleasant surprise to see the Sunshine Highway is close by, WOW !!!!!

We are planning on doing a dolphin trip whilst there too

Will we automatically drive over this bridge to get to St Petes or do we need to go a certain way.

Direction from Disney or any ideas on a useful map site would be really appreciated, this is coming from the Mum of a family that got lost for 3 hours once when leaving Orlando Airport to get to our hotel

You travel from the Orlando area down the I4 and effectively go past or through Tampa.
When you reach the Tampa area you need to follow the signs for the I275, which takes you over the Howard Frankland bridge into St Pete's.
It is then probably a 20 minute drive or so south down the 275 until you reach Lake Maggiore Park.
You are then just minutes from the Sunshine Skyway Bridge which effectively forms an extension of the I275.
Once you have reached the other side at Rubonia, the best bet is to turn around and go back the other way down the 275 again, which will effectively lead you back to Tampa, the I4 and the journey back to Orlando.

The good bit is you go over the bridge twice.

*that's all there is to it!*

 

[Pinky166]

Around 45 minutes to Clearwater beach, add another 20 or so for St Pete's.

Thanks Johnny.

 

[fairytale]

You travel from the Orlando area down the I4 and effectively go past or through Tampa.
When you reach the Tampa area you need to follow the signs for the I275, which takes you over the Howard Frankland bridge into St Pete's.
It is then probably a 20 minute drive or so south down the 275 until you reach Lake Maggiore Park.
QUOTE]

Thank you so much

Am I right in thinking then that the Sunshine Skyway is not actually in St Petes and as you say a 20 minute drive away?

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Thanks Johnny.

No problem Claire.

Also if anyone wants more detailed or specific directions other than what I posted above let me know.

 

[loobylou44]

Thanks Johnny for the directions to SUnshine skyway Bridge, they have been duly cut and pasted into my Florida file!!

 

[Pinky166]

Thanks Johnny for the directions to SUnshine skyway Bridge, they have been duly cut and pasted into my Florida file!!

Same here.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

You travel from the Orlando area down the I4 and effectively go past or through Tampa.
When you reach the Tampa area you need to follow the signs for the I275, which takes you over the Howard Frankland bridge into St Pete's.
It is then probably a 20 minute drive or so south down the 275 until you reach Lake Maggiore Park.
QUOTE]

Thank you so much

Am I right in thinking then that the Sunshine Skyway is not actually in St Petes and as you say a 20 minute drive away?

Glad to help, if you imagine say Dover and then a bridge reaching out across the channel then that's the picture you need...the Sunshine Skyway bridge is at the bottom tip of St Pete's and then curves away and meets the coastline where Rubonia is.

It's probably from the end of the I4 bit at Tampa to the actual bridge more like 40 minutes, you have to drive through St Pete's to get to the bridge, down the I275, so the bridge is at the southernmost point of St Pete's.

 

[fairytale]

Glad to help, if you imagine say Dover and then a bridge reaching out across the channel then that's the picture you need...the Sunshine Skyway bridge is at the bottom tip of St Pete's and then curves away and meets the coastline where Rubonia is.

It's probably from the end of the I4 bit at Tampa to the actual bridge more like 40 minutes, you have to drive through St Pete's to get to the bridge, down the 1275, so the bridge is at the southernmost point of St Pete's.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you

 

[JohnnySharp2]

No problem very happy to help, to be honest it is always nice to talk about something outside the Orlando area.

If you want more specific directions let me know

The best thing to remember is getting back to Orlando 'my way' is essentially turning back and doing a reverse trip.
There are also plenty of places either side of the bridge for a u-turn or photo opportunties.