Beach side trip-any ideas?

[Dizneydaz]

My dad lives in Florida (moved there about 2 years ago) anyways, the first time that we went down to visit they took us to Cedar Keys it is on the Gulf coast. It was absolutely beautiful there. They have met a guy down there that does boat tour, his name is Captain Doug. He was fantasic. He has a small boat and usually only takes 1 family out at a time for a couple of hours. Takes you to a couple of the little islands (one you can explore). One of them has thousands of shells. He even stopped on a sand bar so that my daughter could dig up her own sand dollar shells. I was really cool. Although we didnt spend the night, the town is not a very built up one, but had some nice resturants etc, but there are places to stay there including bed and breakfasts.

We also love St. Augustine (east coast), shopping on St. George street, looking at all the old buildings, and climbing the many stair in the lighthouse.

Thanks Tamie, I'll check into Cedar Keys. It sounds like a great place.

 

[TDS373X]

I also take a dd 5.5 and a DM 65+ when I go . Mom usually only goes every other year with us. last year we were at both St Pete beach and Sanibel. She loved St Pete Beach!! as did I and we are making plans to go back next year. Mom REALLY enjoyed walking on the beach early in the mornings very peaceful and beautiful she still talks about it. There did seem to be a greater number of folks her age there than the other beaches we'd been too(daytona and cocoa) and she didn't seem to feel as self conscious of being in a bathing suit or shorts. We did a dolphin/shelling cruise one afternoon that was great for all of us. it goes out to a private bird sancutary for you to pick up shells and we saw lots of dolphins. We also drove into Tampa one afternoon to the Aquarium and stopped at St Pete Pier on the way home so dd could feed the pelicans. We went to Sanibel when we went to visit my cousin in Ft Meyers. It was someplace mom had always wanted to go to see what all the fuss was about. Once we got there she was like "what's the big deal?' We we there last May before the hurricanes and from what I understand from my cousin Sanibel took quite a hit from the first one, Charley I think,so it may not be what it once was I'm not sure how quickly they may have rebuilt I know that he is still waiting to have the damage on his house repaired. My vote is St Pete Beach...I have a coworker whose retired parents are devoted to Cedar Key

 

[NotUrsula]

Just so you know, the SW coast of Florida has been having a HORRENDOUS (and very unusual) Red Tide problem this year. There has been RT measured in fish-kill levels all the way from Ft. Myers to Clearwater, and much of it has been there since January. I was just at Honeymoon Island 10 days ago, and though the levels that far north were measuring "very low", and not killing fish, they do make your eyes sting pretty badly if you swim. Check this site for measurements before you make your plans: http://www.floridamarine.org/features/view_article.asp?id=9670

The closest beach to Orlando, in drive-time, is usually Daytona, especially if you take 417. (I find that we tend to get caught in traffic going to Cocoa.) If you stick to the south end of Daytona Beach Shores, or Ormond Beach at the north end of the Island, it will be much calmer than Daytona proper. You could also try slightly further south, at New Smyrna Beach, but that is mostly condos. For the sort of Mom & Pop accomodations you want, I suggest you try places that are members of "Superior Small Lodgings", http://www.superiorsmalllodgings.com/

One caveat re: Daytona. The water is turning out to be a tad more dangerous than normal there this year. There have been at least two shark bites reported in the area, and there have been over 1000 rip-current rescues there this summer as well. (The theory is that the hurricanes flattened out the beach a bit, upping the number of rip currents.) It doesn't mean don't go there, it just means that you should be sure to educate yourself about what to do if you encounter a rip current, and circumstances under which it is best to stay out of the water.
http://www.ripcurrents.noaa.gov/
http://www.floridamarine.org/features/view_article.asp?id=12849

 

[k_k_100]

Siesta Key!!!!! It is our absolute FAVORITE! The beach is great for kids. The sunsets are second to none - it is the only place where I've scheduled my entire day around a sunset It is laid back & beachy. The sand.... powdered sugar is the most accurate description I can think of.

We spend a week there every year before we go to Disney for 4 nights. We fly into Sarasota - It's also easy to fly into Tampa or Ft. Meyers (both about 1 hr. drive) then fly home from Orlando. Sarasota also has beautiful beaches - we used to go to Longboat Key - before we discovered Siesta


http://www.siestakeychamber.com/lessweek.htm

 

[Dizneydaz]

Siesta Key!!!!! It is our absolute FAVORITE! The beach is great for kids. The sunsets are second to none - it is the only place where I've scheduled my entire day around a sunset It is laid back & beachy. The sand.... powdered sugar is the most accurate description I can think of.

We spend a week there every year before we go to Disney for 4 nights. We fly into Sarasota - It's also easy to fly into Tampa or Ft. Meyers (both about 1 hr. drive) then fly home from Orlando. Sarasota also has beautiful beaches - we used to go to Longboat Key - before we discovered Siesta


http://www.siestakeychamber.com/lessweek.htm

Siesta Key looks great! Where have you stayed?

43 days and counting!

 

[k_k_100]

We have always stayed in places that have 3+ br - there are 9 of us. We have finally settled down in a condo @ Siesta Breakers. We have also stayed @ Crescent Arms & Siesta Sands (on Point of Rocks) Siesta Sands http://www.floridarent.com/siestasands.htm might rent for less then a week (off season)- We really loved it there. It is at the very end of the beach & has a somewhat secluded feel. It is only about 6 stories high. The units are privately owned but managed by a small main office.

You will find a lot of "condo's" on the beach - they wouldn't work for you since most of them have at least a 1-week min. During the season most of them have 2-weeks - 1-month minimum. The only thing you won't find are the large hotel chains - eg. Holiday Inn, Hilton, etc. The "high rises" are all private luxury condos - and are not really that high.

There really are a lot of "Mom & Pop" type places. Most of them are cute bungalo's. Check out the web sites. I would try to stay away from the Turtle Beach area - it just isn't the same as Crescent Beach.

Go ENJOY!!! & have a drink at the Daiquiri Deck for me

 

[Dizneydaz]

We have always stayed in places that have 3+ br - there are 9 of us. We have finally settled down in a condo @ Siesta Breakers. We have also stayed @ Crescent Arms & Siesta Sands (on Point of Rocks) Siesta Sands http://www.floridarent.com/siestasands.htm

There really are a lot of "Mom & Pop" type places. Most of them are cute bungalo's. Check out the web sites. I would try to stay away from the Turtle Beach area - it just isn't the same as Crescent Beach.

Go ENJOY!!! & have a drink at the Daiquiri Deck for me

Thanks and cheers!

41 days and counting!