[4lakes]

We go all the time but don't know anyone else that does. We live in S. Fl. and go over to Hollywood Beach. Never crowded, lots of families, and easy parking. It's my therapy honestly. Now that we're considering moving to NC, it's one of the things we don't know if we can live without. Our summer vacation is always one week in a Florida beach. By the way, the West Coast has amazing beaches...Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Clearwater...You have to check them out some time.

[pianogal]

Siesta Key off Sarasota is a gorgeous beach. The sand is like 98% quartz and soft as silk. It's prettier than most caribbean beaches I've been on. Can't wait to go back! We live in Orlando and try to spend a week at least once a year at the beach. I'm not a fan of going to the beach for the day - it's beautiful, but I have to have a place to shower.

Last year we went to Myrtle Beach in SC. The waves were fun, but the beach could in no way compare to most Florida beaches. The last several years we've visited the Bahamas, Florida Keys, Siesta Key outside Sarasota, Anastasia Island State Park Beach, New Symrna Beach (we take weekends here and stay at The Riverview, and Sanibel. When our son was young we went to Ormond and Daytona every year. We haven't been to Daytona in ages - I understand it has changed alot. There are so many great beaches here in Florida - it's hard to get around to all of them.

[Floridabound09]

If I lived near Siesta, Ana Maria, Clearwater, Destin/FWB I would be in and around the beach every single day. heck, any beach in Florida other then some east coast beaches, I am there daily.

You have to leave the US to beat some of the beaches in Florida. I have been on many beaches, from Carribean, Bahamas, Hawaii and every good beach on the east coast, for us, if we lived near one of those at the top, it would be heaven.

Others above you can surely enjoy but wouldnt be a place to live other then maybe Maui, but I stil pick my group at the top.

Even my 9 year old told us that a small little island out from Tarpon Springs named Sunset Beach was like being in a dream world.

We have a sand/shells collection from every beach we have even laid feet on, one day we will live on one of those beaches, its just a matter of time.

[Floridabound09]

Forgot to mention, who was it? I think Mr. Beach ( the guy who picks the worlds best beaches) said

"If you do not like a good beach then you need to open your eyes"

[RedWingsFan]

I live in Port Orange just south of Daytona Beach. I'm live 10-15 minutes from fabulous ocean beaches. Yes, we go regularly. Even if it's only for an hour. We take a drive down it, park and watch the water, take the kids for a walk on a weekend morning, always take visitors that come to see us, etc. We go regularly and love the beach. I am not the type of person to sit down there all day though, I get bored of that. But we go frequently for an hour or so at a time. Every weekend we are down there. But for me it's super close. If I didn't live this close I'd probably still go once a month or so.

And I have to agree with you. I lived in the west prior to moving here and the beaches in Florida are SO much nicer than the west coast beaches. WAY nicer!!

[BlueWillowPlate]

I just got back from the beach.
I was there for about an hour, walking the dog, watching the sun rise.
When I was younger, making a day of it at the beach was ideal.
Now I do most of my swimming at the pool, and save the beach for morning/evening walks. It is a nice time for both exercise as well as reflection.
I understand how some could get disenchanted--that's what happened with the mountains for me in Colorado: traffic was awful, I no longer enjoyed myself up there. I love the beach.

[hiknapster]

Another great picture by cil!

Was that this morning's sunrise?

[Dee2e]

I absolutely love the beach! The power of the ocean is very relaxing and peaceful. My favorites: Canaveral National Seashore, Sanibel Island, Cape San Blas, St Augustine, Hollywood, and the Florida Keys.

[Edvard]

I have lived in Fl since birth, with the exception of Military service and two job related assignments. I've been to the beach about a dozen times in my life, including childhood. Most of those times are when we get company and the have to see the beach. It's personal preference, nothing wrong with the beach I just find so many other things to do I never get around to it. I do a lot of other things outdoors and just get around to them first. I have a pool too, less sand.

[tao]

My husband and I go to the beach two or three times a month, mainly to take pictures but also to relax and sometimes have a picnic. I posted some of my Treasure Coast (Ft. Pierce, Port St. Lucie, and Jensen Beach) beach pics on a different thread but thought I'd share them in this thread for those who haven't seen them: