Best beach for a family??

[Deluzy]

Which beach would you all suggest for a family (well, two families with three kids each ages 2 - 14) to visit while in the Orlando area? We are hoping for a shorter (one hour to two) drive.

Thanks!

 

[wright1baby]

St Pete's Beach, in the Tampa area! Either coast is no more than 2 hours either East or West to get to A beach. I prefer the gulf side, sand seems to be softer.
Are you looking for a day trip or going to stay over night?

 

[mrsmom]

My kids loved Clearwater Beach In Clerwater Fla, The water and sand was beautiful.
Kim

 

[Deluzy]

We are thinking of just a day trip. We have lots of kids, so we are looking for fun in the sand and perhaps a few neat little shops/restaurants for the adults.

 

[jennz]

We usually go to Cocoa Beach. I agree that the sand is nicer on the Gulf side but we choose Cocoa - it's just over an hour away, just take the Bee Line and you're there and you don't have to take I-4 (the traffic going to/from Tampa area can be awful and there's really no alternate route) and DH *loves* Ron Jon's surf shop. FWIW!

 

[kikipug]

If you have a lot of kids with you, I would suggest Daytona Beach. You can park your car right on the beach itself, and not have to lug anything or anybody.

 

[05ChristmasSurprise]

FYI
My aunt and uncle just returned from Cocoa and there were sharks EVERYWHERE they said - only 10 feet from shore - an 8 foot shark came right up in the water!!!!

We're still planning to go there, but watch your kiddos!
The lifeguard said that they've been seeing lots of shark activity in the past few weeks, and that big groups of them have been coming right up to shore. Exciting, but also a little scary. We always stay in the sand, aside from getting our feet wet, so I think we're okay. But, my relatives were boogie boarding and got really close.

We went to Treasure Island last time we were there...on the gulf side.
Traffic was okay - a little congestion during rush hour, but smooth sailing on the way back. We stopped on the way back at a "pick your own oranges" place. They had WONDERFUL honey and marmalade.

 

[jennz]

Wow - no way!! I grew up there and was at Cocoa almost every weekend and never even saw one! That would definitely freak me out!!