Driving to the beach for the day?

[LimeGreenCheri]

Has anyone driven to the beach from Disney for the day? I think that Daytona is only an hour away, and we may take one day, drive over, and come back. Is this feasible? Are there public beaches? We thought about staying at Vero, but the rate was $333 per night :shock: No can do on that one!

[BetsyAnn]

The first trip I made to Orlando, we did drive to the beach one afternoon, and evening. We went to Daytona Beach. Played in the water for a bit, then ate dinner and returned to Orlando.

It was not spring break time - so I am not sure what the crowds would look like then or if it would be "family" friendly -- where are the hot college spring break places?

[Moley]

We go to the Gulf Coast, prettier beaches. It only takes about 100 minutes to get to Clearwater Beach, so a day trip is quite feasible. I don't think this area is a hot one for spring break party people, either.

[Rosebud]

I also think the Gulf Coast is much nicer. However, I usually go further down south to visit parents and go to the beaches there. Sanibel/Captiva and Naples being my favorite places to go to the beach.

I've been to the beaches more north too and do remember them being better than the Atlantic beaches, but don't remember specific beaches. I do seem to recall a lot of talk about Clearwater though, so that is probably a good bet.

[Smiley]

This is a great thread!

We definately want to take at least one day to go to a beach on our next trip....

I wonder if AAA or anyone has a type of map that outlines the Florida beaches? Does anyone know?

[Moley]

Smiley, here are a couple of links to quick maps online. I've also found plenty of guidebooks on all of Florida which include good sections on the beaches and attractions surrounding them. Orlando is ideally situated to get to beautiful beaches on either coast in less than 2 hours time.

Maps to Florida Beaches (http://www.flausa.com/interests/beaches/index.php)

Another Florida Beach Map site (http://www.see-florida.com/)

[DrBabe]

There are quite a few public beaches along A1A between Cocoa Beach and Melbourne. Most are free or only a dollar or so for parking. If you try this, I'd make the circle by going to Melbourne and then driving north on the A1A. That way the beaches are on the right side of the road. These are the sort of beaches that the real people use, not the tourist group or the spring breakers. Good luck.

[Smiley]

Thank you both for the beach tips!

Joe was disapointed that we hadn't made a beach stop on our last trip, so it is a must do on the next one.... :)

[Snickerdoodlesmommy]

As a general rule, the beaches on the Gulf are much less crowded with the Spring Breakers, as they all head to the Atlantic side.
Siesta Key is gorgeous. The sand is pure white. Clearwater is nice too.
Sanibel is right near Ft. Myers and will take you about 3 hours to drive from Orlando. But, WELL worth the drive if you have the time. The shopping on Sanibel is very nice with lots of boutiques and specialty places.
I personally don't care for Cocoa nor Daytona Beach.

Just my 2 cents!

LindaC :sun:

[Smiley]

Thank you for adding your 2 cents LindaC.

I sent Joe the links that you posted, Moley, and he printed up maps for the both of us to look at... He is really excited about the beach trip(s)!

[Figgy]

Cheri, ------or you can head south two hours to Stuart and stay with Figgy and DH :D We're about eight miles from the great Beaches on Hutchinson Island. Lots and lots of beaches. Let me know if we can help!! 8) Figgy

[FLSharon]

Cheri, If you're allocating one beach day and during spring break, avoid the ft myers, sanibel area like the plague. While it's gorgeous there, the drive from MacGregor Ave out to the beach is bumper to bumper. The spring breakers have been there along with the general spring crowd. You'll spend your day in traffic. Anywhere you go, I'd stay as close to the beach as financially feasible and go to the beach very early in the morning. You wont be disappointed in either Clearwater Beach, St Pete Beach, and the sarasota beaches, like siesta and lido... the traffic is not picnic on the drive out to any of these, but it's not as congested as Sanibel. If you're going to spend a couple nites and can go against the traffic you'd be free to go anywhere here.

I live in the Englewood, Venice area. We have pretty beaches, not quite as good as those mentioned above, but we have shark teeth and the traffic isn't quite so congested.

I haven't been to any east coast beaches in years so I can't speak for them. I do remember driving on Daytona Beach years ago...wonder if that is still allowed. :mickeyWalk:

[FLSharon]

Cheri, ------or you can head south two hours to Stuart and stay with Figgy and DH :D We're about eight miles from the great Beaches on Hutchinson Island. Lots and lots of beaches. Let me know if we can help!! 8) Figgy

I've never been to hutchinson island. Do you drive there or have to take a ferry?

[Figgy]

Hi Sharon!! You drive there, by going over the causeway in Stuart (barrier island?) and it ends in Ft. Pierce about 30-40 miles north. Hutchinson is owned by both Martin and Indian River Counties. There are lots of public beaches up and down the island. It does have it's ocean facing Condo's, but still plenty of parks and beaches. Some you can barely see the condo's down the coast. There is a nuclear power plant, which restricts land use but not beach rights. It's really quite neat. Figgy

[FLSharon]

Thanks Figgy, there's so many places in Florida that we havent' seen yet. even tho we've been here 15 yr or so. We're going to have to check this out. Are there hotels there too?

[Figgy]

Sharon, Yes, as a matter of fact, they have a Holiday Inn over there that has a webcam on it. Hope it's still at www.martincounty.com before moving down I was on that site all the time. Check it out!!! 8) Figgy

[LimeGreenCheri]

Cheri, ------or you can head south two hours to Stuart and stay with Figgy and DH :D We're about eight miles from the great Beaches on Hutchinson Island. Lots and lots of beaches. Let me know if we can help!! 8) Figgy

How nice of you! I think my hubby has his heart set on New Smyrna beach though. We spent part of our honeymoon there. If things change, I'll give you a holler! :D