I have to really laugh when I see Sanibel and Captiva on here as someone's favorite beach.. I don't mean any disrespect by any means

It is just that those and Ft. Myers Beach are my local beaches and I have never looked at them that way. Sanibel and Captiva are beautiful beaches, I am just not a beach lover. Ft. Myers Beach is for the younger (college) crowd. If you are ever down this way, Lovers Key is another nice peaceful beach to check out. It is just south of Ft. Myers Beach.
I know the question was any beaches north, sorry but I cannot help there, only know the ones south on the Gulf