OT- Beach Northwest of WDW

[Samsma]

Hi! We are looking to go to a nice beach of the Gulf side - driving down from Illinois- before we go to WDW. Can anyone suggest a nice beach town a couple of hours West or Northwest without getting into the Panhandle?

 

[dtuleya]

St. Pete's Beach near Tampa Bay is about a 2 hour drive west of Orlando. We're going to be staying at the Don Cesar or Tradewinds Island Grand resort for a few days after our week in WDW.

http://www.doncesar.com

http://www.tradewindsresort.com/

 

[Samsma]

OOOOh! I saw the Don Cesar on Best Hotels. I forgot about that! Thanks!

 

[Samsma]

Looked at the map- St. Pete's is a little farther south than I wanted to be. Any others a little north?

 

[Samsma]

Bump

 

[dtuleya]

In my research, there aren't many big beaches from the panhandle to Clearwater. Destin Beach (on the panhandle) gets rave reviews from the Travel Channel, but that's at the western edge of the panhandle.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

you need to look at the topography of Florida. when you start going north of Clearwater, the land towards the gulf starts to become swamps. Crystal River is as far NW as we go, because it has the opportunity to dive with manatees. it's just the ecological nature of the state, when it curves into the panhandle the beaches pick up again.

 

[lisametairie]

Don't forget about Spring Break...not sure when you plan on going but we live in Valdosta Ga.(on the ga/fl line) and the beaches within 2-3 hours of here fill up during that time. Destin/fort walton are nice but make sure you're not going during hurricane season. trust me we have just relocated thanks toKatrina and you definetly don't want to be there in a hurricane!!!!!! Jacksonville has a nice beach but its of course not on the gulf side.

 

[f7prez]

Clearwater Beach is probably your best best. Very nice beach that is closest to WDW on Gulf Coast. St Petes Beach is just to the south of Clearwater and worth a visit. One place that is often overlooked is Fort Desoto Park. If you want a gorgeous stretch of beach without all the touristy distractions, Fort Desoto is the place.

Destin, which is on the pan handle and quite a bit further from WDW is absolutely beautiful as well.

 

[princesscj]

Destin/Fort Walton Beach is THE BEST!!! But, it is FAR!!!!! Clearwater is truely your best bet if you are doing the Disney thing! It really isn't a bad drive over to WWD, I think it's 2 hours or less! Clearwater is beautiful as well!! There really isn't anywhere else! Enjoy!!

 

[Sylvester McBean]

One place that is often overlooked is Fort Desoto Park. If you want a gorgeous stretch of beach without all the touristy distractions, Fort Desoto is the place.

um, don't mention Ft. DeSoto anymore. let's keep it private....

don't take your dog to the dog park or dog beach. don't fish off of the piers. don't enjoy the beaches or the gulf. don't hike to the top of the fort. don't take the ferry over to eggmont key. it's a horrible place.