The best beach?

[MeetingMickeyin2006]

Where is the best, most scenic beach within driving distance from the parks? We plan on renting a car and taking a day trip up to Kennedy Space Center. I have never seen the beach and am soooo looking forward to it. I figured if we are going to Kennedy, we could go to Cocoa Beach. Is this a good beach or are there "better" ones?

 

[spiceycat]

I don't like any Atlantic beaches - brown sand does not appeal to me - I like the Gulf side - white sand.

plus the Atlantic is the ocean side and will always have waves - sometimes the gulf side is calm and the waves are hardly there - more peacefully to me.

 

[SRRN]

WE SPENT SEVERAL DAYS AT COCOA BEACH 2 YEARS AGO AND LIKED IT VERY MUCH.THERE ARE SOME NICE RESTAURANTS ON THE PIER,GREAT SHOPS-RON JON'S AND THE BEACH WAS WONDERFUL.IT WAS IN DEC.AND FROM WHAT I HEAR,THE "NATIVES" DON'T SWIM IN THE WINTER,SO WE PRETTY MUCH HAD THE BEACH TO OURSELVES!!!!!

 

[bjsmico]

I would drive the hour and a half to go to Clearwater Beach. Do not go to the city of Clearwater,go to Clearwater Beach. It's VERY nice. Clear,warm water and white sand beaches.

 

[Gillian]

I think it's worth the trip to the space center. Although I love the Gulf beaches, I'd choose the space center + cooca beach over the Gulf. I'll admit that we have been lucky enough to visit the gulf several times in the past 5 years, since BIL moved there, but the Altantic isn't so bad!

Also, we don't tan. Me, DS & DH have to be very careful in the sun, so we can't hang out at a beach for too long. DD has beautiful mutant skin, LOL!

In July the ocean water should be pretty calm & warm.

If you decide to go to Clearwater beach (which is nice) it's not as interesting as the space center.

 

[jeffreyml]

Our family prefers The Gulf Beach area. We like to travel to Madeira Beach near St Petersburg. The water is mostly calm with great soft, white sand. lots of shells for the kids to grab. There are numerous resturaunts and family experiences to be had in the area. Check out www.johnspass.com for some great shopping or head to John's pass for a pirate cruise or to watch the dolphins swimming around.