Cool Beach to buy cool stuff???

[jdm]

We are getting into the planning stages of things to do on our other than Disney days. I asked dd20 what she really wanted to do. She said she wants to go to a "cool beach and buy some cool stuff". She loves Venice (Hippi-type) beach in California and she has been to and loves Hampton in Mass. I've been to Cocoa but mostly to go to Ron Jon's which I thought was fun. I'm thinking she's thinking more of a "happening" beach with those sidewalk vendors, little shop/stands etc. She will be with us the 11th - 18th of Feb. I think this is Daytona race week?? So, that one may be out.... DD11 hates shopping and just wants to play in the surf and sand! Anyone familiar with the area have any ideas, where we can do both??

Thanks so much for any help,
Jenn

 

[WDWisTheBest]

Since your daughter is 20 and is looking for a "cool beach", does that translate to "cool" boys? If so, she may wish to go back to Venice beach in CA. In my experience, the only remote comparison would be Key West and their beaches. For Florida beachs, the comparison to Venice beach is just not here. The gulf coast beaches are more family oriented in general.

Daytona and Cocoa would be the only remote nearby beaches that would even come close. I don't think Spring Break starts that soon but, Panama Beaches are happening for that, as well as Daytona. For your younger daughter, either Daytona or Cocoa would work for surf and sand.

Even though Speedweek is February 7 through 15 in 2004, the beach at Daytona is still a very good bet, although not like Venice beach.

As to "cool stuff" to buy, Ron Jon is as close as it gets, IMO. Good luck to you.

 

[jdm]

No, not at all.... nothing to do with boys. I probably should have been more specific. She is a shopper, and she goes for handmade artisian type of things. That's why I made the Venice comparison. I was trying to describe a boardwalk type of beach with music, shops, that type of thing. None of us are looking for thong beach beauties and studley men (well, maybe not:~)!! and a bunch of rowdy college students.

Maybe we will look at Daytona. I wasn't sure I could even get into that area during race week. Thanks for posting the dates and the info you gave me!! Appreciate it.

Thanks again
Jenn

 

[kalamazoo]

Clearwater Beach. While it is not the same as Venice Beach I think you will find something to suit everyone. IMO the beaches are generally much nicer on the gulf side rather than on the Atlantic side. Clearwater Beach is about 1.5 hours from WDW.

Check out this link (especially numbers 29 and 30):

http://www.beachchamber.com/51things.htm

 

[jdm]

Sounds like exactly what I was looking for.

Thank You!
Jenn

 

[castlegazer]

If you didn't venture farther than Ron Jons at Cocoa Beach you may no have noticed that the pier has some similarities to Venice Beach. Go to the pier on weekends and there are great volleyball games with lots of great looking guys and this is where the national surfers hang out too. There is a bar on the end of the pier along with beach shops along the pier. You can rent boogie boards and the like and you will be among a lot of other 20 somethings and younger hanging out here.

www.cocoabeach.com