A day at the beach?

[RogueHabit]

We're going next week for 2 weeks and would like some advise on the best place to go for a day at the beach.

We're staying on I Drive, though we're not too fassed about driving a little bit further is the west side of FL is better than the east side.

So, can anyone recommend a good place to drive out to for a day at the beach? Looking for someplace where the kids can play in the sand, swim in the sea and where a family can get a reasonably priced meal.

Family friendly is definitely high on our priorities.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

Drive times vary significantly - East coast is 1 hour minimum drive and west coast probably 90 minutes minimum - then you have to get to the resort.
St Petes area on the west is very nice with good sandy beaches, Cocoa Beach on the east sounds nice (never been to CB)

 

[fillerup]

IMO - The Gulf beaches are the vastly superior Fla beaches, starting in Pensacola and stretching all the way to Naples.

But of course the Atlantic beaches are an easier drive than the Gulf.

If you choose the east side, avoid Daytona or New Smyrna like the plague, and any other beach on which cars are allowed. (Sorry to offend anyone who feels otherwise.)

My recommendation for Atlantic beaches would be the Canaveral National Seashore or Cocoa Beach. Be forewarned - part of Canaveral to the north is Playalinda Beach, which is unofficially nudist.

On the Gulf side, as mentioned, St Pete Beach is very nice, and of course Clearwater Beach is a classic sugar white sand beach and azure waters.

And remember gallons of sun screen - you'll all be completely crispy in 20 minutes or less this time of year.

 

[Firewolfe51]

Cocoa Beach is nice. 45 min. to 1 hour away. Not a bad drive at all. You can visit Ron Jon Surf Shop while you are there. The kids and you will love it.

 

[lamarvenoy]

If you don't mind a 2 hour drive Siesta Beach in Sarasota is always rated one of the top 10 in the country. The beach is powder white sugar sand with almost no impurities and the water is shallow and aqua blue like in the movies. Take I-4W to I-75 and head South get off on Clark road exit(maybe exit 212?) you will go straight until you dead end then turn right and its maybe 2 miles down.