Best gulf beach near-ish to WDW

[mrsgthatsme]

We are planning a Florida trip the first week of June. We will spend the first half of the trip and WDW then would like to rent a car and drive to a beach area (preferably Gulf side) and stay a few more nights there. Considering Siesta Key, Anna Maria Island area, or Clearwater but are open to other options as well! Will be traveling with two teens. We would like somewhere with beautiful beach areas, safe feeling for walking around, not overly cheesy touristy but also some shopping and dining/activities. Thank you!

 

[kes601]

Sanibel is still in recovery, but it really can't be beat. We spent the week of Christmas there this year. Have been going every couple of years for the last 20.

 

[Mle8308]

Highly recommend Siesta Key!

 

[fla4fun]

We are planning a Florida trip the first week of June. We will spend the first half of the trip and WDW then would like to rent a car and drive to a beach area (preferably Gulf side) and stay a few more nights there. Considering Siesta Key, Anna Maria Island area, or Clearwater but are open to other options as well! Will be traveling with two teens. We would like somewhere with beautiful beach areas, safe feeling for walking around, not overly cheesy touristy but also some shopping and dining/activities. Thank you!

Sanibel is still in recovery, but it really can't be beat. We spent the week of Christmas there this year. Have been going every couple of years for the last 20.

This is key! Make sure anyplace you are considering has recovered enough to give you the experience you want.

There were many lovely beaches with nice hotels, quaint shops and restaurants, and very safe. I lived in Pinellas County for a decade within easy walking distance of the beach and prior to the hurricanes last year I could have given you a lot of specific recommendations. However I would be hesitant to do so at this time without putting in some research to see what the current conditions are. I know a few of my favorite restaurants and shops have closed permanently, which makes me sad. We spent most of our time along the beaches between Sand Key (just south of Clearwater Beach and not as built up) down to Madeira Beach. But there are good beach communities along the coast all the way down to Naples and Ft. Myers.

 

[mrsgthatsme]

This is key! Make sure anyplace you are considering has recovered enough to give you the experience you want.

There were many lovely beaches with nice hotels, quaint shops and restaurants, and very safe. I lived in Pinellas County for a decade within easy walking distance of the beach and prior to the hurricanes last year I could have given you a lot of specific recommendations. However I would be hesitant to do so at this time without putting in some research to see what the current conditions are. I know a few of my favorite restaurants and shops have closed permanently, which makes me sad. We spent most of our time along the beaches between Sand Key (just south of Clearwater Beach and not as built up) down to Madeira Beach. But there are good beach communities along the coast all the way down to Naples and Ft. Myers.

Thanks for the advice. Was Sanibel recovered to the point that you were able to fully enjoy it in December?

 

[thanxfornoticin]

No place we'd rather enjoy a few days than Clearwater Beach........

 

[Draco0801]

We love Siesta Key Beach; we love this beach, and it has restaurants & shops as well.
Its back to pretty much normal as far as some stuff was closed due to damage but we went in November and everything was open.

Sanibel is still recovering, and Fort Myers Beach they are starting to open up more restaurants & shops and Margaritaville is open as well. We live in Cape Coral, so we frequent them quite a bit

 

[andystamz]

We love Siesta Key Beach; we love this beach, and it has restaurants & shops as well.
Its back to pretty much normal as far as some stuff was closed due to damage but we went in November and everything was open.

Sanibel is still recovering, and Fort Myers Beach they are starting to open up more restaurants & shops and Margaritaville is open as well. We live in Cape Coral, so we frequent them quite a bit

Thank you for the info! We are considering a few days on the gulf before we travel home.

 

[Draco0801]

Thank you for the info! We are considering a few days on the gulf before we travel hoNo problem

 

[Draco0801]

no problem

 

[BostonEd]

Sanibel, regardless of its current condition, is nowhere near what I would consider "near-ish" to WDW. Look at the map.

 

[hertamaniac]

I personally like Treasure Island and the John's Pass area for walking, etc.

 

[Narcoossee11]

The Gulf for sure. Clearwater area is closer, straight shot and BEAUTIFUL

 

[mikehn]

I agree Clearwater for near ish, overly cheesy tourists debatable.

 

[katallo]

We love Siesta but check Red Tide status. So far, it looks good.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Another vote for Siesta Key!
We also spent a day at St. Pete's Beach and that was a beautiful beach too. I can't speak of their restaurants/shopping/nightlife because we only spent the day there to meet up with friends and ate at their house, then returned to SK.

 

[katieann]

Treasure island near St Pete beach There is a place called johns pass has lots of shopping/dinning it's beautiful spot with lots of choices for hotel/motels plus you can use the trolley It's not expensive and you go all the way to Clearwater beach or back to St Pete beach without all the driving lots of stops on the way for the other beaches We love the Marriott on Sand Key beach but it's a little on the expensive side and very near Clearwater beach

 

[Disneydawg74]

Treasure island near St Pete beach There is a place called johns pass has lots of shopping/dinning We like places like the beach side resort motel Nice mom.anf pop place so it might not be your thing Rooms are usually clean and a nice pool but it's beautiful spot with lots of choices for hotel/motels plus you can use the trolley It's not expensive and you go all the way to Clearwater beach or back to St Pete beach without all the driving lots of stops on the way for the other beaches

We are still recovering from the hurricanes over here on the Florida West Coast.