Vero ?? Atlantic Beaches vs. Gulf Beaches????

[edk35]

Okay I grew up in N.C. til 10th grade so that was the beaches we went to. Then we moved to AL in high school and I went to gulf beaches from then on. Okay...we live in MD so we have been to Ocean City and know about the Atlantic...BIG WAVES as my kids say. Well we stayed at Ft. Walton Beach two summers ago and the kids had a blast there. So now we are DVC members and I am trying to plan our 2nd summer trip. I have Beach Club booked for 5 nights and we want to add some beach time along with this trip. SO I am on a waiting list for Vero..NEVER BEEN THERE. I also booked a few nights in St. Pete at a resort on the gulf. SO for those that have been to gulf beaches and atlantic....HOW DID YOU LIKE VERO????? I guess I am nervous about staying there. I am not a beachy person but my two boys love it and so does dh. MY dd could take it or leave it. She is more into pools. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

I will refrain for now. I think you know how I feel, Denise. Don't want to become noise.

 

[edk35]

I will refrain for now. I think you know how I feel, Denise. Don't want to become noise.

??????????????? Love Vero!!!!

 

[JerJan]

Having spent most of my life living in Central and South Florida...... go with the gulf beaches they are MUCH cleanier, they have better (softer sand) and the waves are not usually very big. If you and DD don't care for the beach much their really isn't ANYTHING else to do in Vero but the St Pete/Clearwater area has alot of shopping!

 

[edk35]

Having spent most of my life living in Central and South Florida...... go with the gulf beaches they are MUCH cleanier, they have better (softer sand) and the waves are not usually very big. If you and DD don't care for the beach much their really isn't ANYTHING else to do in Vero but the St Pete/Clearwater area has alot of shopping!

Thanks. I know that we don't like Ocean City and most of the Atlantic beaches we have been to are so commercialized with mini golf, go karts and arcades. I get tired of seeing that everywhere.

 

[Kathi OD]

We spent NYE weekend in OC, Maryland. I was NOT impressed at all. The entire area is just too built up and commercialized for me. I enjoy shore areas that are more residential in nature; basically where all there is to do is go to the beach and maybe out on the bay.

However, personally I prefer ocean beaches to those on the gulf. I like the bigger waves in the ocean.

 

[MrsNick]

Thanks. I know that we don't like Ocean City and most of the Atlantic beaches we have been to are so commercialized with mini golf, go karts and arcades. I get tired of seeing that everywhere.

FWIW, VB did not appear to be 'commercialized' to us in the way that you have described OC. We don't care for that type of atmosphere (and it's one reason we don't really hit the Jersey beaches, as close as they are).

Actually, much of the area is residential, and definitely NOT the party scene that you might find in some of the spring break locales. It just depends on the type of vacation you want. Sebastian has a Publix, a Walmart and various restaurants. Vero Beach proper (the resort is really about 8 miles north of "downtown") has a shopping mall with a large movieplex, a Target, lots of restaurants and the spring training locale for the Dodgers, I believe.

VB is a relaxing type vacation, not a go-go-go type of vacation, but the resort does offer plenty of activities for those who choose to participate.

 

[ChickieToo]

Never been to Vero, but have spent much time at both Atlantic and Gulf Beaches. I've come to prefer the gulf side, so we go to St. Pete's quite frequently and stay at a great resort called the Don Cesar. The pool is steps from the beach so you can have the best of both worlds, and the resort is pretty classy to.

About a half hour away there is Clearwater beach, and it is a lot like the "built up" beaches you describe. However, they have a nice marina where you can take boat tours and so forth. There is a great dolphin sighting tour on a large cigarette-type boat called the Sea Screamer which is a lot of fun. We've taken people out on that with us, and everyone always loves it. There are also sailing tours and things of that nature if you are interested.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Thanks. I know that we don't like Ocean City and most of the Atlantic beaches we have been to are so commercialized with mini golf, go karts and arcades. I get tired of seeing that everywhere.

I grew up visiting Rehoboth Beach and for many years took my kids there. They loved Funland and the boardwalk, but by the mid 90's even Rehoboth had become overbuilt and overcrowded.

Denise, you won't find that at VB. The beach is small, but you won't find people setting up in front or behind each other because of a lack of space. It is just not crowded on the beach. Trust me.... there have been many times I wished there were more people in the water at VB if only to reduce my odds of being shark food.

Honestly, you really cannot compare Florida's Atlantic coast to the Gulf coast. It is apples vs. oranges. Both are great for different reasons. For me the Atlantic is great fun with the waves and I love to listen to the waves at night in bed. It is just soothing. The Gulf water is dead still and you can walk a hundred yards out into the water and only be up to your knees. Viewing the underwater creatures at your feet is easy and interesting. The sand is pure white and silky smooth.

Since you have never been to VB, I would strongly suggest trying to get a ressie there. Experience it. Your family seems perfectly fit.

Whatever you decide... have a great trip

 

[edk35]

I grew up visiting Rehoboth Beach and for many years took my kids there. They loved Funland and the boardwalk, but by the mid 90's even Rehoboth had become overbuilt and overcrowded.

Denise, you won't find that at VB. The beach is small, but you won't find people setting up in front or behind each other because of a lack of space. It is just not crowded on the beach. Trust me.... there have been many times I wished there were more people in the water at VB if only to reduce my odds of being shark food.

Honestly, you really cannot compare Florida's Atlantic coast to the Gulf coast. It is apples vs. oranges. Both are great for different reasons. For me the Atlantic is great fun with the waves and I love to listen to the waves at night in bed. It is just soothing. The Gulf water is dead still and you can walk a hundred yards out into the water and only be up to your knees. Viewing the underwater creatures at your feet is easy and interesting. The sand is pure white and silky smooth.

Since you have never been to VB, I would strongly suggest trying to get a ressie there. Experience it. Your family seems perfectly fit.

Whatever you decide... have a great trip

Thanks....that is probably true about comparisons too.

 

[eva]

Never been to Vero, but have spent much time at both Atlantic and Gulf Beaches. I've come to prefer the gulf side, so we go to St. Pete's quite frequently and stay at a great resort called the Don Cesar. The pool is steps from the beach so you can have the best of both worlds, and the resort is pretty classy to.

We just stayed at the Don Cesar in November. You are right ChickieToo, it is great! It was the second week and the temps were still in the low 80's and the beach was nearly deserted. Another resort on St. Pete Beach we like is the Tradewinds. But it is more in the thick of things. It is usually a bit more crowded and has a lot of activities. The Don is more upscale, where Tradewinds is more family friendly. We are pretty partial to the gulf over the Atlantic. But we do love Vero too. We even have one of our contracts there. As DisDaydreamer said, it is like comparing apples and oranges.

Hint: If anyone stays on St. Pete Beach, eat at the Black Palm. It is awesome. You will feel like the chefs from Top Chef are cooking for you. We ate in the open air courtyard and the chefs came by to explain some of the offerings and the waiters knew food and wine inside out. Be careful their signature pork chop with apples is awesome, but it has a bit of fire in it.

 

[JimC]

Have been to both, VBR and St Pete area. Both are nice. St Pete generally more commercial, crowded and less active water. VBR is more laid back, residential and waves.

Go to both and enjoy each. My preference is the more quiet atmosphere of VBR. But how many places can you watch the sunrise over the Atlantic and then watch it set over the gulf all in the same day?!