Help! What are some other nice areas in Florida? Prefer to be on the beach.

[J.Cooper]

Thinking of going to Florida for our anniversary in the fall and wanted to know what are some other nice areas in Florida? I was considering, Naples, St.Petersburg, Clearwater or Marco Island. I've been to Ft. Lauderdale and we really enjoyed it. Wanted to try someplace different. Want to stay in a nice oceanfront hotel. Any suggestions?

 

[NHAnn]

I definitely prefer the Gulf coast over the Atlantic.

My current favorite area is from Clearwater Beach south to St Pete Beach.....there are TONS of ocean front accomodations in all price ranges. What do you consider "nice"?

The Fort Myers Beach/Sanibel & Captiva Islands area is nice too!
FT Myers Beach has the same type of range of accomodations, catering to vacationers. Sanibel/Captiva is more upscale/exclusive.

Have fun!!! Those Gulf coast sunsets from your ocean front room make for a great anniversary trip!

 

[jimmalru80]

Have been to South Seas Plantation on Captiva a few times on business. Beautiful beach; some of the best shelling in the world.

 

[J.Cooper]

Someone mentioned to me that Sanibel Island was nice. I should look into that area too. Another question, we are in our mid 30's and like shopping, restaurants, jazz clubs, what would be the best area in Florida to have this type of entertainment between those above?

 

[Aimeedyan]

I'm watching Travel Channels Best of Florida Beaches right now! See if you can catch it, or get info onlien from them... its been realyl interesting!!!!!!!!

We're trying out Vero for the first time ina couple of weeks... I have heard great things about the Key West and Cocoa. We plan to visit Key West next time we visit Florida =)

 

[orvilleair]

Clearwater and St Pete Beach are close to Tampa, which has Ybor City (clubs, markets etc...). I honeymooned in Treasure Island and the area around where I stayed at had older architecture, and the beach is very wide (maybe a 1/4 mile). Clearwater seemed more modern and the beach a little more compact. I would pick Clearwater over St Pete.

Siesta Key Beach is south of Sarasota and is considered by some publications as the best beach in Florida. Beautiful sand, clean, not a lot of parking, concession stand and nice changing rooms.

My parents live in Laurel (beach or two south of Siesta Key), and both Venice and Sarasota have fantastic shopping. There is waterfront dining along a lot of the intercoastal waterways and popular with boaters. Venice is crowded with walkers/runners in the morning, and they had ample tennis courts. Dick Vitale lives in Sarasota and he talks about eating at the "Broken Egg" whenever he's on the radio (maybe he owns it

There are a lot of good places, and I think you'll have fun no matter where you stay.

 

[anditoo72]

I don't know if anyone has mentioned this, but there is a special on the travel channel about top 10 florida beaches, it was on last night, but I know they repeat them throughout the weekend!!!

 

[Pin Wizard]

My aunt and uncle have been going to Sanibel for decades. Guess that gives us an idea of that area.

On the east coast, you can't go wrong with the Boca Raton Resort & Club. I'm sure they'll spoil you to death. Ack! No mouse on my laptop. I can't get the link in here.

 

[J.Cooper]

What about Naples?