Beach day: Siesta Key or Daytona or ??

[cdndrmom]

We are looking to head to the beach for the day after running the Princess Half next month. Trying to decide where to go and would love some input. We'll have four adults, two tween girls, a 4yo and a 2yo.
Siesta Key sounds/looks amazing, but Daytona is closer. How is the water temperature at both this time of year? Is there a big difference? Any other input for choosing a beach? Thanks!

 

[grantclaire]

Hi we have been to Cocoa Beach. just one hour from Orlando and just recently Clearwater Beach which was over 90 mins. like them both but Clearwater was very busy and a lot of traffic.

 

[Miumiu4me]

We are looking to head to the beach for the day after running the Princess Half next month. Trying to decide where to go and would love some input. We'll have four adults, two tween girls, a 4yo and a 2yo.
Siesta Key sounds/looks amazing, but Daytona is closer. How is the water temperature at both this time of year? Is there a big difference? Any other input for choosing a beach? Thanks!

Siesta Key. The water is much calmer there and the beach is a lot prettier. Daytona is kind of meh IMO.

 

[camdensmom]

Siesta Key without question!

I've been to Daytona several times, but we vacation in SK each year. It is gorgeous and continuously voted one of the top beaches in the country. The sand is amazingly soft and NEVER feels hot to step on.

The 2 beaches are so different.

I also find the gulf water to be so much nicer.

Either way have fun and good luck with the marathon.

 

[mamabear0222]

I think we will try Siesta key this year. Been to the east coast..it's just meh to me....I prefer the gulf coast. I was debating myself between going back tonl Clearwater or trying Siesta key.

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[vettegirl]

Siesta Key! It is the nicest beach I have been to in the mainland US outside of Hawaii. Also the Ritz Carlton in Sarasota is amazing.

 

[katallo]

Siesta Key! A few years ago, we left Disney and went there for one day. Fell in love with it. We now go every year for a week. Sand and water are amazing! I don't remember when I spent so much time in the water.

 

[cdndrmom]

Either way have fun and good luck with the marathon.

Thanks! My first half-marathon and injuries have held back my training. I'm nervous!

 

[cdndrmom]

Thanks everyone! Sounds like Siesta Key is the place to be. Forgive my ignorance, but what are the odds that the water will be warm enough to swim? (We're Canadian, so it doesn't have to be like bathwater...just warm enough that the kids' lips won't turn blue!)

 

[Art 1]

Thanks everyone! Sounds like Siesta Key is the place to be. Forgive my ignorance, but what are the odds that the water will be warm enough to swim? (We're Canadian, so it doesn't have to be like bathwater...just warm enough that the kids' lips won't turn blue!)

Yes, Siesta Key by far, not even close. The water will be cold, but if it's warm out it's common to see people in the water.

 

[bankr63]

Thanks everyone! Sounds like Siesta Key is the place to be. Forgive my ignorance, but what are the odds that the water will be warm enough to swim? (We're Canadian, so it doesn't have to be like bathwater...just warm enough that the kids' lips won't turn blue!)

Hey neighbor,

We hit Siesta Key every trip down (it's our in-laws' snowbird perch) and love it. March break is our time and we ALWAYS swim, but sometimes our thick pasty white Canadian hides are the only ones in the water. It's about as cold as most of our local lakes in late June/early July. Travel time is about 90 minutes. Try to avoid hitting Tampa around rush hour on the way back, otherwise it's a pretty smooth trip and no tolls required.

 

[ready2vacation]

For Disney day trips, do you pack a picnic or is there enough service on the beach? Planning to spend a day at Siesta Key in Sept.

 

[MEK]

I have heard Siesta Key is beautiful, but I am a frequent Daytona visitor. We have friends that live there and we always go to Daytona Beach Shores which has ample parking, or you can drive and park right on the beach, and there are always nearby restrooms. If you click on my most recent TR you can find pictures of Daytona just by looking in the table of content links - look under Tampa Times. If you do visit Daytona I highly recommend visiting the Ponce Inlet lighthouse and museum. Not only are the views spectacular, but the history of the area is fascinating.

 

[mamabear0222]

Hey neighbor,

We hit Siesta Key every trip down (it's our in-laws' snowbird perch) and love it. March break is our time and we ALWAYS swim, but sometimes our thick pasty white Canadian hides are the only ones in the water. It's about as cold as most of our local lakes in late June/early July. Travel time is about 90 minutes. Try to avoid hitting Tampa around rush hour on the way back, otherwise it's a pretty smooth trip and no tolls required.

It's only 90 mins? I swore I read 2 hrs? I'm sure us Canadians will be in the water!

Sent from my Samsung S3 using DISBoards

 

[cdndrmom]

It's about as cold as most of our local lakes in late June/early July. Travel time is about 90 minutes. Try to avoid hitting Tampa around rush hour on the way back, otherwise it's a pretty smooth trip and no tolls required.

Thank you! That's exactly the water temp comparison that I needed! And 90 minutes is better than what Google Maps told me!

 

[cdndrmom]

I have heard Siesta Key is beautiful, but I am a frequent Daytona visitor. We have friends that live there and we always go to Daytona Beach Shores which has ample parking, or you can drive and park right on the beach, and there are always nearby restrooms. If you click on my most recent TR you can find pictures of Daytona just by looking in the table of content links - look under Tampa Times. If you do visit Daytona I highly recommend visiting the Ponce Inlet lighthouse and museum. Not only are the views spectacular, but the history of the area is fascinating.

Thank you! Is it warm enough to swim there in February?

 

[bankr63]

Thank you! That's exactly the water temp comparison that I needed! And 90 minutes is better than what Google Maps told me!

Well, okay I may have a small problem translating those American speed limit signs into Canadian, which might lead to small excesses of speed and a faster time. The rest of it is probably due to how you start and end your route. We stay at the Sheraton Vistana Resort which is already south of the main part of Orlando, and very easy access to I-4. From there, google maps gives me 1:49 to Midnight Pass Road (the main beach artery) but I mentally tick off "arrived" when I make the exit off I-75 at Clark Road which is still probably 10 minutes from the beach. So in my mind, it's about 90 minutes...

 

[bowbat]

I live in Sarasota, so am obviously biased but Siesta Key is the way to go.

Depending on your driving speed and traffic, it'll probably take you an hour and 45 minutes to get there from Disney. We live off the Clark Rd. exit and get to Disney in 90 minutes. That said, February is high season here so traffic within and around Sarasota will be heavier than normal.

As for water temps, I believe the average for that time is mid- to upper-60s. That's WAY too cold for me, but maybe you Canadians consider that balmy.

 

[taylor3297]

Always choose the gulf coast beaches over the east coast. Water is warmer and prettier on the gulf.

 

[cdndrmom]

As for water temps, I believe the average for that time is mid- to upper-60s. That's WAY too cold for me, but maybe you Canadians consider that balmy.

LOL! That's a little chilly for me, but my kids would be in! (Their standard seems to be an absence of ice...)