[elisa19]

Hello,

I'm trying to plan a beach vacation in Florida, but I keep running around in circles as of which beach to choose! So many!

I have only been to Miami Beach in the past, but this time around I need to be closer to Orlando.

I have been looking at Daytona Beach (it seems a bit run down?)

Clearwater (the beach is not sandy white but rough?)

Palm Beach

Siesta Key (hotel I like is crazy expensive: Hyatt)

It almost feel like for prices and places Ft. Lauderdale has more to offer, but it's too far from Orlando. And I'm not even sure if it's a nice beach place.

I have a 3 year old. We are looking for a beautiful beach. A safe area with things to do. And an oceanfront hotel. Where Oh Where do I focus?

Thanks for your help.

[jambo101]

Cocoa Beach perhaps?

cocoa beach florida - Google Search

[Rabflmom]

Originally Posted by elisa19

Hello,

I'm trying to plan a beach vacation in Florida, but I keep running around in circles as of which beach to choose! So many!

I have only been to Miami Beach in the past, but this time around I need to be closer to Orlando.

I have been looking at Daytona Beach (it seems a bit run down?)

Clearwater (the beach is not sandy white but rough?)

Palm Beach

Siesta Key (hotel I like is crazy expensive: Hyatt)

It almost feel like for prices and places Ft. Lauderdale has more to offer, but it's too far from Orlando. And I'm not even sure if it's a nice beach place.

I have a 3 year old. We are looking for a beautiful beach. A safe area with things to do. And an oceanfront hotel. Where Oh Where do I focus?

Thanks for your help.

On the East coast beaches you won't find the white sand. It is a darker color and often has sort of grated shells mixed in it. Cocoa Beach has hard pack sand where cars used to be able to drive on like Daytona Beach but are no longer allowed. But it is still beautiful and fun to build sand castles etc. in. I have some pics of the Melbourne area beaches on my profile here. Space Coast beaches are about an hour to hour and half from Theme Parks. Beaches around Melbourne seem to have more shells than that little ones like to pick up and play with. My nieces and nephews love the beaches here more than going to the parks in Orlando. They usually bid for their rooms and get The Hilton or Crown Plaza for less than $75 a night( in June any way) The kids go from the pool to the beach all day. We have the Space Center and Melbourne Zoo which are fun for kids and adults, too.

Also close to Vero Beach there is the Disney Resort which has activities for the kids and the Disney breakfasts etc, with the Disney Characters on site.

[elisa19]

Originally Posted by jambo101

Cocoa Beach perhaps?

cocoa beach florida - Google Search

Hi Jambo,

yes, I looked at Cocoa Beach, too. But now it looks like I might focus on the Gulf coast.

Thanks.

[elisa19]

Originally Posted by Rabflmom

On the East coast beaches you won't find the white sand. It is a darker color and often has sort of grated shells mixed in it. Cocoa Beach has hard pack sand where cars used to be able to drive on like Daytona Beach but are no longer allowed. But it is still beautiful and fun to build sand castles etc. in. I have some pics of the Melbourne area beaches on my profile here. Space Coast beaches are about an hour to hour and half from Theme Parks. Beaches around Melbourne seem to have more shells than that little ones like to pick up and play with. My nieces and nephews love the beaches here more than going to the parks in Orlando. They usually bid for their rooms and get The Hilton or Crown Plaza for less than $75 a night( in June any way) The kids go from the pool to the beach all day. We have the Space Center and Melbourne Zoo which are fun for kids and adults, too.

Also close to Vero Beach there is the Disney Resort which has activities for the kids and the Disney breakfasts etc, with the Disney Characters on site.

Thank you! This helps a lot. I'll look at Melbourne.

[elisa19]

Also, if I look at the Gulf coast, from Clearwater down to Naples, can I find a nice "big" hotel with ocean front views that won't cost more than $250 a night?

[kyle19125]

The Loews Don Cesar Hotel on St Pete Beach is quoting $269 per night right now which is considered "higher rate season". If you go after Easter the prices drop considerably, especially after Memorial Day.
The Don Cesar is a beautiful historic hotel and has it's own private beach plus a very nice pool area. I highly recommend it.

Don CeSar Beach Hotel | St Pete Beach Hotel | Loews Hotels - Loews

[TD*]

WRONG. you want to go to Destin, Fort Walton beach, or Pensacola.. Much nicer beaches and water...