FLorida beaches

[Kingdome8]

looking to take family to Florida April 1
Which I know is spring break.
What beaches are good for families during spring break without all the college mess
Looking for nice beach and some recreation as well.

 

[HopperFan]

First do you want ocean side or gulf side ....
Do you want ON the beach or is driving distance okay ....
What kind of recreation ....

 

[Kingdome8]

First do you want ocean side or gulf side ....
Do you want ON the beach or is driving distance okay ....
What kind of recreation ....

On the beach.
Just things to do in the town. Like mini golf water slides or go karts. That kinda stuff

 

[Macprincess]

I would look into either Siesta Key, Anna Maria or possibly Holmes Beach all are on the gulf coast near Sarasota/Bradenton. Do keep in mind that this is peak season and the traffic/crowds will be busy and it will be expensive. However, these beaches are more family friendly and attract little to none of the college spring break party crowds. If going for a day trip I highly suggest getting there early in the morning. I work on Siesta Key and during a normal time period it takes me at most 25 minutes door to door. During peak season if I'm not in the office by 8am I know I'm looking at about 1 1/2 hours to get to from the house to the office.

 

[dish rag]

looking to take family to Florida April 1
Which I know is spring break.
What beaches are good for families during spring break without all the college mess
Looking for nice beach and some recreation as well.

We like Lido Key and go several times during the year. We also have taken a liking to South Daytona.

 

[jeff_h]

First do you want ocean side or gulf side ....
Do you want ON the beach or is driving distance okay ....
What kind of recreation ....

I was wondering the same thing as the OP -- for a family visiting Disney and taking a day off to drive to the Atlantic coast and spend a quiet day trip walking the beach and having some restaurants nearby, what's a good location?

 

[Kingdome8]

We like Lido Key and go several times during the year. We also have taken a liking to South Daytona.

Will south Daytona be a college spring break mess?

 

[ssei7802]

St. Pete Beach is a very family oriented beach, we have been going there since 1971. Alden Beach Resort is a great place to stay.

 

[dish rag]

Will south Daytona be a college spring break mess?

More than normal I think but there is really nothing there that college age would want

 

[NinaBella]

Look at Tradewinds Resort at St. Pete Beach. Even if you do not stay there you can use a public beach access and walk to Tradewinds and pay for the water island, slides, etc. We normally stay at a couple hotels down. https://www.tradewindsresort.com/index

Tradewinds live webcam: http://gobefore.me/cams/trade_winds_resort/

***

My 25 & 23 year old and most local college age kids go to Pier 60 in Clearwater to hang out for beach days so I would say AVOID Pier 60 area if you want to avoid the Spring Break Crowd.

http://www.sunsetsatpier60.com/

http://www.myclearwater.com/government/city-departments/marine-aviation/pier-60

Pier 60 live WebCam: http://www.beachtourism.com/pier.htm

***

Fort DeSoto Park is a family favorite for locals. With the park rules, not a lot of college spring breakers here.

http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/05_ft_desoto.htm

http://www.fortdesoto.com/

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/travel/fl-fort-de-soto-florida-rambler-20150824-story.html

 

[Upatnoon]

The days of hoards of college kids coming to Florida beaches for spring break and having wild parties are pretty much past.

 

[la79al]

Doing a day trip mid March, want to do a Gulf side beach, just doing the sand and water thing. Would LOVE to find somewhere where the kids can see through the water to the bottom, a plus if there is ocean life/cool shells. Suggestions on a beach that is relatively easy to find parking/get to beach, etc?

 

[pattyw]

We took a day trip from Orlando to the gulf. We visited Siesta Key and Clearwater beaches. There are a lot of nice restaurants on the beach and many shops for souvenirs, beach gear, etc.

 

[dish rag]

Doing a day trip mid March, want to do a Gulf side beach, just doing the sand and water thing. Would LOVE to find somewhere where the kids can see through the water to the bottom, a plus if there is ocean life/cool shells. Suggestions on a beach that is relatively easy to find parking/get to beach, etc?

Lido Key is an easy drive. Sometimes the water is clear, just depends. There is parking, showers and a concession stand. It's usual to see dolphins, I have seen quite a few manatees and was able to get next to them. I have seen schools of stingrays. You might see a sea turtle. I have picked up and released two very large live shells. Like conch shells. There are plenty of shells to find and collect.

 

[a742246]

Check out Honeymoon Beach State park by Dunedin. It's on the Gulf side. PS there's no tolls from WDW to Tampa via rt4.