Day at the beach?

[Soprano]

I am considering a day at the beach. I understand Clearwater is just under 2 hours away, but lovely. I was hoping for one closer to I-drive.

Two hours is a long old drive with two toddlers who suddenly need to go to the toilet or like to argue. And its a long drive back should the weather turn bad!

Any thoughts?

 

[henrydog]

you can get to Cocoa beach on the East coast in just over an hour. The sea can get a bit rough as its the Atlantic coast, lots of surfers use it.
Also a few gift shops and Ron Jons surf shop to look around.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Hi,

It depends really, there's no doubt that the best beaches are Clearwater and St.Petes , in my opinion anyway , but yes it's a 2 hour or so drive to them.

Daytona and Cocoa are much closer but the beaches not as nice.
There is possibly less to do also, other than the RonJon surf store for example Cocoa is pretty boring , again that's just what I think though.

People are attracted to Daytona because of the speedway and you can drive your car onto the beach (if that sort of thing appeals to you).

Having said that there have been major roadworks I believe on-going on the Clearwater route that may affect the travel time.

Guess it depends on how far you want to drive, but the west coast beaches are much better.
We have been saying for the past few years we would go back to Clearwater but never got round to it, going to Miami/Fort Lauderdale this summer for a few beach days - again though, for the widest nicest beaches CW/StP it has to be.

 

[cheryl.UK]

The beaches on the East side of FLA are indeed closer but the sea isn't as safe for toddlers as the West. It really does depend what you aim to to once there. The West side beeches can have very steep shelves. Can't remember what Cocoa is like but Daytona has a steep shelf . It's about 3 feet deep when you're only 6 or 7 feet in. The currents are aslo pretty harsh. My SIL won't let her 5 year old into the sea at all there.

 

[jax100]

we liked daytona. it is lovely cos you can drive along the beach in your car, my two(who were 4 and 3) thought this was fantastic. and couldnt believe it. the water is a good bit away from the beach though, but they enjoyed building sandcastles and playing in the sand.


we have considered clearwater as we have heard good reports about it but have not ventured there yet. we have daytona planned in our itinerary for this year too.

 

[Miffy2003]

I really like Clearwater though I'm not sure I would be brave enough to go there and back in one day with toddlers

What about picking up a cheap hotel on Priceline for one night? It wouldn't need to be too swish if it's just for the night, and you could just pack a holdall for the night and leave your stuff in your I Drive location

 

[Booknut]

We spent a wonderful day on Anna Maria Island which you can get to in under 1 1/2 hours if you head towards Bradenton (Gulf of Mexico). We were staying in Kissimmee and it didn't take that long and was well worth it. Warm water, beach had about 8 people on a Sunday! It's technically not an island but you feel like you're on one...saw lots of kids too.

Be wary of parking though...we got a parking ticket for parking the car in the wrong direction i.e. not facing traffic'...considering the little side street only had room for 4 cars it seemed strange they were worried about the direction we were parked in but there you go...$30 down!

Also, if you have google.earth you can take a look at the place...we were on the beach at Pine Street...you can also tell how deep the sea is from there, the shelf is quite far out in that section.

Hope this helps...wherever you go will be fab, the beaches are heavenly, have a super time!!!

Eloise

 

[kevin harrison]

I've done both coasts and the west wins hands down in terms of things to do and the sea is warmer also. We visited Clearwater in September and had a great day.

The only downside is the roadworks when you get near Tampa, which are still on-going, we did it in a day with our 3 year old and we hit rush-hour on the way back and it took 4 hours to drive back to the Hard Rock Hotel.

 

[Booknut]

That's another advantage to Bradenton/Anna Maria Island as you don't need to go through Tampa to get there!

 

[alisonbestford]

We drove to Clearwater last year and spent 5 days there
We had a great time and the beach was fantastic for DD (then 6)

I think it took us about 2 hours to drive each way, if I remember correctly, but it was an incredibly boring run - and I was the driver!!
As Miffy2000 suggests, why don't you look into picking up a hotel / motel for the night?

This year we're trying New Smyrna Beach (?) which is close to Daytona.

 

[Soprano]

:
As Miffy2000 suggests, why don't you look into picking up a hotel / motel for the night?

I am thinking about this. Its a good idea, but takes up a bit of holiday time. I could spend a day at the beach, then next day at Busch Gardens maybe..

 

[Miffy2003]

I am thinking about this. Its a good idea, but takes up a bit of holiday time. I could spend a day at the beach, then next day at Busch Gardens maybe..

That sounds like a good idea

 

[JohnnySharp2]

It is a good plan to visit Clearwater and book some accomodation for the night, and it may also be a good chance to see Busch Gardens I agree.

If you are thinking about the 2 hour drive , may as well make the most of it.