FL State park beach on the east coast that's nice, clean, cheap and great for kids?

[loveysbydesign]

I'm trying to figure out which state park beach we can go to on the eastern coast? We've been to Fort DeSoto on the western coast and loved it but with the oil fast approaching looks like we'll be sticking to the eastern coast for a beach day pr 2 this trip. Can anyone recommend one that is free/cheap and has nice bathhouse facilities?
I found a bunch here-
http://www.floridastateparks.org/findapark/district-central.cfm
but am unsure which would be best for us.
Our kids will be 11, 7 and almost 3 when we go in 2 weeks!
We just want to relax, older kids want to boogie board(bringing our own as we're driving).
Is Sebastian's Inlet a good place? http://www.floridastateparks.org/sebastianinlet/default.cfm
or Gamblers Rogers Memorial Park http://www.floridastateparks.org/gamblerogers/default.cfm
or some other one I'm missing?

 

[spiceycat]

if they insist on the boggie board would stay with west coast.

the oil spill is not in Florida yet.

florida on the east coast has a bunch of rip tides.

plus on the west coast you have a bunch of area to play in - east coast the drop is right there. there is very little space to play around in

 

[loveysbydesign]

if they insist on the boggie board would stay with west coast.

the oil spill is not in Florida yet.

florida on the east coast has a bunch of rip tides.

plus on the west coast you have a bunch of area to play in - east coast the drop is right there. there is very little space to play around in

What west coast beach would you recommend? When we went to Fort DeSoto the waves were not big enough to boogey board.

 

[spiceycat]

What west coast beach would you recommend? When we went to Fort DeSoto the waves were not big enough to boogey board.

well there is that too - a tame gulf coast is not fun for boogery board.

now where my brother lives closer to St Augustine - the parks are nice.

that say would find out where the lifeguards are - and don't let your kids out unless there is one. may sure they obey the flags.

 

[RabFlmom]

For state park close to Disney I would say go to Sebastian Inlet. There is an area for surfers and another area for swimmers where kids on boogy boards won't be in the way of surfers. Go to beach between high and low tide but closer to when low tide than high tide will be coming in and the waves won't be as high.

There are lifeguards in the swimming area there. There is also a tide pool on the river side of the inlet that is shallow with no big waves where little ones can play and have fun. There is a fishing pier/jetty and picnic tables. there is also a food stand but it is not always open.

http://www.floridastateparks.org/sebastianinlet/


Now if you want the Atlantic and aren't set on a state park, try Lori Wilson Park in cocoa Beach It is just down A1A from Ron Jons Surf shop a must see when in the area. . It has a North and a South parking area. Can't remember which one has it ; but there is a nature trail. There are picnic areas, bathrooms, and showers. The beach is really sort of smooth going out and doesn't have a fast drop off like a lot of beaches. I usually take little ones there. There is enough waves for boogey boarding for the older ones most of the time but it doesn't scare the little ones either.

http://www.beachhunter.net/cocoa-beach/lori-wilson-park.htm

 

[loveysbydesign]

For state park close to Disney I would say go to Sebastian Inlet. There is an area for surfers and another area for swimmers where kids on boogy boards won't be in the way of surfers. Go to beach between high and low tide but closer to when low tide than high tide will be coming in and the waves won't be as high.

There are lifeguards in the swimming area there. There is also a tide pool on the river side of the inlet that is shallow with no big waves where little ones can play and have fun. There is a fishing pier/jetty and picnic tables. there is also a food stand but it is not always open.

http://www.floridastateparks.org/sebastianinlet/


Now if you want the Atlantic and aren't set on a state park, try Lori Wilson Park in cocoa Beach It is just down A1A from Ron Jons Surf shop a must see when in the area. . It has a North and a South parking area. Can't remember which one has it ; but there is a nature trail. There are picnic areas, bathrooms, and showers. The beach is really sort of smooth going out and doesn't have a fast drop off like a lot of beaches. I usually take little ones there. There is enough waves for boogey boarding for the older ones most of the time but it doesn't scare the little ones either.

http://www.beachhunter.net/cocoa-beach/lori-wilson-park.htm

Thanks so much for all that info!
Is there a better place to park at Sebastian's Inlet? Also do you know how far apart from each other those 2 places are? I'm sure my kids would love to see the surf shop but I'm not sure just yet if we're gonna go to the beach 1 or 2 days. Gonna play it by ear.

 

[loveysbydesign]

Is it better to take 528 to 95 to Sebastian's Inlet or 192?

 

[RabFlmom]

Is it better to take 528 to 95 to Sebastian's Inlet or 192?

That is a hard one to answer because I hate the long slow drive through the tourist/hotel area on 192 in Kissimmee. Our son lives out by Disney in W. Kissimmee and we take 192 when we go to his house from Melbourne Sebastian Inlet is south on A1A about 16 miles from the 192/A!A intersection.
Taking 528 of course is tolls of about $4. each way. 95 is under construction and pretty much a mess in the Melbourne area so I would probably go 192 now that it is four laned all the way.

To get to Lori Wilson go 528. It is just a little ways from the 520/A1A intersection in Cocoa Beach.

 

[RabFlmom]

Thanks so much for all that info!
Is there a better place to park at Sebastian's Inlet? Also do you know how far apart from each other those 2 places are? I'm sure my kids would love to see the surf shop but I'm not sure just yet if we're gonna go to the beach 1 or 2 days. Gonna play it by ear.

Both have off street parking lots. There is a charge at the state park to get in but Lori Wilson is free. Sometimes it is hard to find parking spots at Lori Wilson on the weekend.

Forgot to mention....if going on a Sunday .....if you stay on the beach until 5-5:30 or so you will see 3 cruise ships starting out on their cruises. It is always cool to see the Disney Magic go by

Sebastian Inlet and Lori Wilson are probably about 40 miles apart. That is a guess though. Or did you mean Ron Jons from Lori Wilson? They are within a mile or so of each other( another guess

All the county beaches in Brevard county have off street parking lots that are free. all the county beaches have bathrooms and at least out side showers to get the sand off. Some of the city beaches have parking meters.

 

[loveysbydesign]

That is a hard one to answer because I hate the long slow drive through the tourist/hotel area on 192 in Kissimmee. Our son lives out by Disney in W. Kissimmee and we take 192 when we go to his house from Melbourne Sebastian Inlet is south on A1A about 16 miles from the 192/A!A intersection.
Taking 528 of course is tolls of about $4. each way. 95 is under construction and pretty much a mess in the Melbourne area so I would probably go 192 now that it is four laned all the way.

To get to Lori Wilson go 528. It is just a little ways from the 520/A1A intersection in Cocoa Beach.

Thanks again for your help!
We're actually staying at Windsor Hills in Kissimmee and are right off 192 so at least we won't get lost