What's the best beach, closest to Orlando

[bookworm]

We are taking my DD and 2 friends to Orlando for the Jr. Beta Convention...The other 2 girls have not ever been to the ocean..Does anyone have any suggestions as to which beach that is fairly close to Orlando, that would be good to take them to? The ocean side or the Gulf side? Any help would be appreciated....

Thanks

 

[That70sGuy]

Cocoa Beach is 60 mi. away on the Atlantic side, the Gulf beaches are nicer (IMHO) but they're about 90 mi. away.

 

[MarkinNM]

Cocoa Beach is 60 mi. away on the Atlantic side, the Gulf beaches are nicer (IMHO) but they're about 90 mi. away.

I am taking it that Coco beach is a typical tourist type of beach? What part do you recommend, favorite restaurant??
With it being 60 mi away, what is the traffic like in FLA??

 

[MrsGoofyMitchell]

I think it depends on what you like! I love both! Cocoa Beach, the waves are HUGE, the beach is pretty. It's so much fun playing in the waves. It does seem like the typical tourist town, shops and places to eat. I really like going to Ron Jon's Surf Shop. Plus, it is closer to Orlando.

Clearwater we have been to many times too. We got engaged there!

The water is a lot calmer and prettier, pretty beaches. Fun places to eat. Would probably be better for little ones. That is where we plan on going next year with our 2 year old son.

 

[MickeyMouse'sBFF]

If you got to travel, make it worth it. I LOVE ST. PETERSBURG BEACH!
There is sand as white as ANY beach I have seen, and the water is as warm as some baths I have taken. There is an AMAZING resort called "tradewinds" Its gonna run you about what a moderate at disney would a night, but OH so worth it. They have GREAT (I REPEAT GREAT) kids clubs there with activities throughout the day. They have MANY pools and the food at all the restaraunts there..OH GEES!
I guess what I was trying to say is.. er... what was the question again?

 

[AshtonsMom99]

I would say Cocoa Beach in a Heartbeat...it seems a lot more secluded than the other beaches.....When I went I didn't see any boardwalk type thing so it seemed like it was a less crowded beach than others. There are tons and tons of washed up shells on the surf....My son is all about those, so I know that since this is his first time going this summer he's going to love it. I don't remember the last beach in FL I went to I just know I got sooooo tan....I was about 4 and all I remember is that it was close to Hollywood, FL

Maybe Im just biased?

 

[GoofyFairie]

St. pete's beach is very touristy. Dh and I spent part of our honeymoon there and we stayed at tradewinds. I hope it changed since we were there, we were very disappointed. The elevator was busted the whole time we were there and we were told that was always the case! IMHO it isn't worth the money to stay there and there weren't many shells unless you managed to beat everyone else to the beach. I suggest you do a little research on what people suggest here so you can make an informed decision about where you go. No matter what, I hope you have a GREAT trip! Have fun!

 

[MickeyMouse'sBFF]

St. pete's beach is very touristy. Dh and I spent part of our honeymoon there and we stayed at tradewinds. I hope it changed since we were there, we were very disappointed. The elevator was busted the whole time we were there and we were told that was always the case! IMHO it isn't worth the money to stay there and there weren't many shells unless you managed to beat everyone else to the beach. I suggest you do a little research on what people suggest here so you can make an informed decision about where you go. No matter what, I hope you have a GREAT trip! Have fun!

I suppose everyone has their own opinion.
I think the best thing for you to do is give each place a try for yourself and see what you think. Everyone has their own taste in everything, from resorts to food and beaches. Its all what you appreciate yourself that matters. Only YOU can make that choice. Good luck with that!

 

[bookworm]

Thanks everyone for all the ideas. I'm not sure what we'll do. I may give the girls their options and let them choose.....They may decide to stay at the resort and swim...14 years old, who knows?

 

[TallDaddy]

daytona is even closer. Fairly slow and quiet at this time of year too, so great deals along the seaside hotels. Lots of fun stuff to do with the kids too, without the crowds

 

[saratogadreamin09]

I would not recommand Cocoa beach. The area isnt so nice and there was a lot of garbage on the beach when we were there in February.


Daytonya is about the same distance as Cocoa and is much nicer

 

[DISNEY4TROY]

Hmm, Cocoa beach is where we have taken a few days to do the beach between disney stays, I try to stay where its cleaner and nicer(lol in the RonJon parking lot). I will say that we stayed in the RV overnight there a time or 2 and shopped at like 3am (fun times).. but if you're in a car I'd without a doubt reccomend going back to disney there are some random drunkin' sailors at that hour

 

[Canyon girl]

I haven't been in years, but I always like New Smyrna beach better than Daytona. It was less congested, and I liked going to the shell mounds. It was also less touristy. Just my opinion, but it has been quite a while.