Florida's west coast beaches help!!!

[caribear]

Yes - this helps a ton, thank you!
Now to decide if we make this a family trip - how is Thanksgiving? OR a nice getaway for me and my hubby! We have a 4-5 day window in May 2010 where our younger son is on a school trip. That's a long way out though!

Not too sure how crowded it gets at Thanksgiving although this is peak time in Siesta Key as the snowbirds are down for the winter. May is a great time to go as we have been going in May for the past 3 years. May begins the "off-season" and prices on rentals go down.

I can personally recommend Capri International and Sara Sea (part of Tropical Shores-their newest property) as I have stayed at both. These are located on Sara Sea Circle as is Tropical Shores/Sun. They all share the same pool.

 

[kpadalik]

Yes - this helps a ton, thank you!
Now to decide if we make this a family trip - how is Thanksgiving? OR a nice getaway for me and my hubby! We have a 4-5 day window in May 2010 where our younger son is on a school trip. That's a long way out though!

Thanksgiving in Florida can be so unpredictable - it can be pretty warm or it can be cold and windy. Plus the northerners are down for the season so it gets busy and lodging prices go up. I think May is a much better choice!

 

[koopa]

Visiting relatives near Siesta Key, we went to Siesta Key Beach on 4/16/09. We were there just before 10 am, and the parking was almost full (only RV lot area was open). Nice picnic area, some in the shade between the parking lot and the beach. The snack bar is really good, but the lines were 10deep. There is a restroom at the snack bar. A separate line for ice cream made getting ice cream a snap. The sand and water is great. Looking at the parking lot around 2:30 pm showed a lot of cars circling to find a spot. Getting to the beach is easy as previously discussed, but getting home was bumper to bumper until we hit US 41.

Venice beach is nice and a little more laid back. Venice has Sharkys on the pier. It is a bar and grill type place, though there were many kids there. You can eat outside and walk the pier. Unfortunely when we were there at 6:30 pm, the wait was 90 minutes. Venice Beach had a yoga class right on the beach. Held 1/2 hour before sunset, my wife enjoyed the yoga and watching the sun go down. I took the kids to get shells (shells seemed more abundant in Venice than Siesta Key) and wade in the water.

Watching a sunset over the Gulf on a clear day is awesome.

 

[minnie56]

1) Siesta Key
2) St Pete's Beach
3) Sanibel Island/Captiva

All lovely~~~~

 

[kpadalik]

Watching a sunset over the Gulf on a clear day is awesome.

I agree 100%, but I also love watching sunsets when there are clouds in the sky because the colors are just fabulous! Pinks, purples, oranges - beautiful!

 

[kpadalik]

radmom - How was your trip?

 

[Kimberly]

Whenever this question comes up I always have the same reply, Siesta Key. Nothing is going to come close to this beach. The sand is like baby powder and cool to the touch. The water is the clearest in Florida....and the area is quaint and very relaxed. If you are looking for nightlife then this might not be the place for you, but if you are looking for a relaxing vacation on a gorgeous beach then this is the place to go. No major hotels...only condo rentals. If you would like more info feel free to send me a PM!

Edit: Saw they went!

 

[ColoradoMom!!]

Hoping to hear back from Rad Mom too!

 

[radmom]

We are back from our vacation and I want to say a big THANK YOU!! to all that recommended Siesta Key . We were at the south end on Crescent Beach. It was absolutely WONDERFUL!!!! We had a great time. We were only there for 2 days before going to WDW and we wish we would have been able to stay for more. We want to go back. My kids loved it. My son enjoyed snorkeling ( he found sea urchins and sea cucmbers) and my girls loved playing in the sand. The sand was like powder and so white. It rained in the evening both days but other that that we could not have asked for a better beach!!! Thank you again!!!

 

[kpadalik]

I'm so glad you had a great time while visiting Siesta Key. The rain was a bummer, but it sounds like you all had a blast. Thanks for letting us know how it went!

 

[hichewlova]

Siesta Key is my favorite beach in all of Florida. I love the white sand and I have been going there for years. Tons of great restaurants and shops within walking distance.