Beach on Gulf Side

[SherryG]

We are visiting Florida next month and want to take our kids (8 & 11) to a nice beach on the Gulf side - looking for suggestions? We are thinking near the Clearwater area as we don't want to sit in the car all day but are open to other areas too. (we are staying in Kissimmee) Thanks!

 

[katallo]

We just returned from orlando and visited siesta key in sarastoa for the day. it was beautiful. We left orlando at 8:00 am and were on the beach at 10:10.it was a very easy and nice drive..

 

[SherryG]

Anyone else have any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[loveysbydesign]

We loved Fort DeSoto beach..here's a link to a thread from a few days ago! It's a serene, beautiful, unspoiled nature kind of beach.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2447133

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I would recommend going into Clearwater Beach because they also have a lot of restaurants within walking distance of their beach.

 

[catne]

Clearwater City beaches are very nice...less than 2 hour drive from Kissimmee (leave after Orlando rush hour in the morning, lol.) Very easy drive from Disney - take the interstate towards Tampa, and follow the signs for "Clearwater" and "Clearwater Beaches", easy as pie and probably the closest to Kissimmee. Sarasota/Siesta Key is also nice, but it is further south so will be a longer drive. You pay for parking at the Clearwater city beach -- meters in the parking lot, and there's a 3 hour limit, then you have to move your car. There's plenty of food options around, restaurants on the beach, etc. Also restrooms close by. And it's a BIG beach

 

[fla4fun]

If you like a busy beach, then Clearwater or St. Pete Beach are a good bet. I prefer quieter beaches, so when I lived over there, I would go to the county parking areas at Sand Key, Indian Rocks Beach, Madeira Beach and Redington Beach. You usually have to pay to park at the county parks/lots, but you will usually find restroom and picnic facilities available there. For the best of both, spend a day on the quiet beach at Sand Key and then visit the restaurants and shops of Clearwater Beach which is just across a short bridge from Sand Key.

For a really relaxing beach day, Caladesi Island State Park is nice. It is off the coast of Dunedin (just north of Clearwater) and is only accessible by private boat or by ferry.

 

[aksunshine]

Siesta Key is Gorgeous! A bit more pricey though. Clearwater Beach is nice! That is where we usually go. The have a great little sunset party at the pier every night that is free!

 

[aksunshine]

Oh! And at the South end is Ft. Desoto park, very nice area, as are Honeymoon and Caladesi Islands!

 

[SherryG]

Bumping! Anyone else?

 

[taymaesmom]

We too love Caladesi Island, its beautiful and usually quiet since you have to ferry over. We love it and the last time we went we saw 4 dolphins just feet off the shore. My girls love all the seashells they find there too! We drove straight from Pop and it took about 2 hours each way.

 

[jkelly86]

I would suggest Coquina Beach on Anna Maria Island.
It is a very lovely public beach, and there is a free trolley that runs up and down the island.

 

[Syndrome]

Also, recommending Siesta Key. Its a drive for sure, but well worth it. It always ranks in the top 10 beaches in the U.S. for a reason. The sand is amazing!
Syndrome

 

[hazenship]

I own a fishing charter in St. Petersburg. I think the best beaches Gulf side would be Clearwater and Siesta Key, although Atlantic side would be closer to you. You could visit Cocoa Beach, I think its like an hour an a half or so if you take the 528 toward Cape Canaveral. If you want more than just a beach trip search Haze "N" Ship in Google.

 

[barbarabini]

I wanted to add three days on the gulf side -for aug- should I wait it out to see what happens with this oil? or do I book now - - anyone know whats going on down there? do the gulf hotels get booked up early -- clearwater or therabouts.

 

[donaldduck352]

I wanted to add three days on the gulf side -for aug- should I wait it out to see what happens with this oil? or do I book now - - anyone know whats going on down there? do the gulf hotels get booked up early -- clearwater or therabouts.

They are saying on the news today about the oil spill making its way east.I pray not.The west coast is so beautiful.

 

[Jonaussie]

That would be a disaster, they are now saying the oil could make its way into the Gulf Stream and around to the east coast of Florida, what a nightmare. I hope they can get this thing plugged up soon.

 

[goopysolelady]

I own a fishing charter in St. Petersburg. I think the best beaches Gulf side would be Clearwater and Siesta Key, although Atlantic side would be closer to you. You could visit Cocoa Beach, I think its like an hour an a half or so if you take the 528 toward Cape Canaveral. If you want more than just a beach trip search Haze "N" Ship in Google.

We love Cocoa Beach. Planning on driving over this August the same day we arrive in Orlando. Looking forward to it; been a few years since we've been there and this will be 2 granddaughters(8 & 4) first trip to Cocoa Beach. Will have both daughers with us again and it's been 10 years since THAT'S happened!

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

We love the beaches in Naples...it is a bit of a ride but not as crowded as we found Clearwater last few Augusts.
One suggestion. We always ended up renting chairs when we went to Clearwater b/c we needed umbrellas etc. Last year we went to BJ's in Orlando and got those foldup camping chairs that have their own awning. They were 19.99 each and fit in our car no problem(for 3). We used them several times and saved a ton of money since it cost us 25.00 per day to rent chairs. If you are planing to go and have a car I suggest you get these. They have paid for themselves several times over. We are taking them this year too. It is difficult to lay on the sand at these beaches when it is really hot. Even if you do not reuse them the following year if you go a couple of days they are well worth it even if you leave them for someone else.

 

[mckinfam]

Last year we stayed at a Doubletree in N. Redington Beach (between St. Pete and Clearwater). We liked it so much that after our Disney/Universal trip this year, we're heading there for a few days. It's right on the beach and a nice place to stay. There are also a couple restaurants within walking distance.