Gulf Of Mexico Best Beach Locations

[angel659]

Hi

I am still trying to plan our holiday to FL. I would like to stay 3-5 nights at a beach resort in Gulf of Mexico. The reason being the waves are not dangerous and the sea is warm. I love Clearwater beach and would not mind staying here or St Petes. I dont really want a too far drive, due to our return flight would be MCO. I would like to hire a villa for the duration. Pref beach front location. I have seen a few, but Bruce is worried about the crime being nr the beach. Has anyone done this? Any advice would be great.

Thanks

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Hi Michelle,

This thread was past dissapearing so I thought I would give it a 'bump' - plus, we actually did something very similar when we stayed on Longboat Key in Sarasota admittedly many years ago.

Clearwater & St.Petes have always been my favourite beaches and we did stay a couple of nights at one of the larger hotels (again, a longggg time ago).

I have always found both areas perfectly safe, and in addition this seems like a fantastic break from hectic Orlando and should make a great 2 centre type holiday.

If you see a place you like I would go for it as these areas in my opinion from experience are very safe and friendly.

 

[LJP]

Hi , DH and i have spent a few days in Naples during our last couple of trips. It is a bit of a longer drive though, around 3 - 3 1/2 drive from Orlando, but really lovely clean beaches and Naples itself is very pretty with lots of fab restaurants. I would highly recommend it. The other place to drive would be Sarasota, lots of free parking by the beaches and St Armand Circle is good to wander around and look at its quirky boutiques and sample a few of the nice restaurants.

 

[ford family]

We spend a lot of time in Bradenton (duh!), which is south of St Pete & north of Sarasota. The beaches on Anna Marie Island and Longboat Key are superb, there are many good restaurants and the pace is much more relaxed than Orlando which is 90 minutes away.

ford family

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Naples would have been my 1st choice, but it is 3 hours or so away from Orlando.