What's your favorite day trip to the beach?

[Dafoe]

For those of you who've been in TV for a bit, what is your favorite closest day trip beach?

[Mack184]

St. Pete Beach. Lunch at Sea Critters Cafe in Pass-A-Grille and if we're lucky enough for it to be more than 1 day a stay at the Don CeSar.

[Happinow]

Just looked Don Cesar hotel on Tripadvisor at St Pete's and it appears that the hotel is less than stellar. Must have gone down hill since you stayed. Will look for more hotels in the area.

[Deter1]

Daytona Beach with lunch at the NorthTurn is a great time. Or New Smyrna Beach with lunch at the Breakers on the Beach. Or Tarpon Springs at the Sponge docks, lunch at Dimitris and dessert at Hellas Bakery.
Too many day trips available!

[Mack184]

Just looked Don Cesar hotel on Tripadvisor at St Pete's and it appears that the hotel is less than stellar. Must have gone down hill since you stayed. Will look for more hotels in the area.
Odd..we have stayed there 3 times in the past year (a total of 18 days) and found everything to be more than stellar. They went out of their way to make things excellent for our anniversary in September. It is in fact our FAVORITE hotel anywhere. Must be we're just "down hill" people.

[Bonnevie]

I live near St. Pete and the Don as it's called is considered top notch. There's also a place called Tradewinds resort that's nice in the same area.

[Happinow]

Maybe there's more than one Don hotel?? I'll look again and see if I can find the right one. Wasn't implying you were down hill people. Just thought it may have been a while since you last visited. Don't take things so personal.

[John_W]

http://www.highwingimages.com/uploads/DonCesar.JPG

The Don Cesar is the big pink building that sits in the middle of St. Pete Beach. There use to be two big pink hotels in downtown St. Pete called the Vinoy and the Soreno. The Yankees stayed at Soreno until 1962, then they moved spring training to Ft. Lauderdale. I'm not a Yankee fan, but once rode my bike by the Soreno and Yogi Berra was sitting on the bench out front, I still have his autograph.

I've never stayed at the Don, but it's always been considered top notch.

[justjim]

We like to pack our own lunch and motor over to New Smyrna Beach and tailgate out of the back of our minivan right on the beach. We walk the beach and enjoy the sun and move to the chairs under the beach umbrella before returning to TV before dark. :thumbup:

[eweissenbach]

We like Fred Howard park beach in Tarpon Springs for a quick trip to the gulf. Nice beach, good parking, and not as crowded as some of the other beaches as it is cleverly hidden:-) New Smyrna is our fav on the Atlantic, and the Breakers is a fun place to have a cocktail and eat. A little farther on the gulf is Siesta Key beach, south of Sarasota, but parking is not always easy. Neat little Key West type downtown area.

[CFrance]

We like to pack our own lunch and motor over to New Smyrna Beach and tailgate out of the back of our minivan right on the beach. We walk the beach and enjoy the sun and move to the chairs under the beach umbrella before returning to TV before dark. :thumbup:

We're not hoity-toity people, ourselves. Your day trip sounds lovely.

[Mack184]

Maybe there's more than one Don hotel?? I'll look again and see if I can find the right one. Wasn't implying you were down hill people. Just thought it may have been a while since you last visited. Don't take things so personal.
There are actually TWO parts of "The Don". There is the main hotel, and then there is The Don CeSar Beach House. The Beach House is a couple blocks north of the main hotel. The Beach House offers what amounts to efficiency apartments with kitchens and is made for families.

There are many things that impress us about "The Don". The thing that I am most impressed about is that the staff actually remembers our names. When we have returned for a visit the valet & bellmen greet us by name saying "It's good to see you again" when we are getting out of our car.

When we came for our anniversary and opened the door to our room there was a huge vase of red roses there for my wife compliments of Nik Bhola the hotel manager.

We have never been disappointed at any time when we've stayed at "The Pink Palace".

[justjim]

There are actually TWO parts of "The Don". There is the main hotel, and then there is The Don CeSar Beach House. The Beach House is a couple blocks north of the main hotel. The Beach House offers what amounts to efficiency apartments with kitchens and is made for families.

There are many things that impress us about "The Don". The thing that I am most impressed about is that the staff actually remembers our names. When we have returned for a visit the valet & bellmen greet us by name saying "It's good to see you again" when we are getting out of our car.

When we came for our anniversary and opened the door to our room there was a huge vase of red roses there for my wife compliments of Nik Bhola the hotel manager.

We have never been disappointed at any time when we've stayed at "The Pink Palace".
Sounds like a friendly and great place to spend a couple of special nights.

[bkcunningham1]

Hands down Fort De Soto Park. Pinellas County, Florida, Park & Conservation Resources - Fort De Soto Park (http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/05_ft_desoto.htm)

Although not on the ocean or the bay, Carney Island Park is really a nice day out and it is right next door. https://plus.google.com/104125299256686624910/photos?hl=en

Carney Island offers three walking trails | Ocala.com (http://www.ocala.com/article/20050101/OCALACOMRECREATION/50328014)

[sjdjmd]

We enjoy Ormond Beach which is a small town just north of Daytona Beach. Great beach and good restaurants.

[Virtual Geezer]

New Smyrna Beach. Stop at Mon Delice a French bakery on the way in for a few treats. Day at the beach. On the way out a stop at Norwood's Seafood or the early bird prim rib special at Blackbirds Inn.

Spent the month of December at NSB for about 15 years in an oceanfront condo so I know the three places mentioned above very well. All are great.

Mon Delice and Norwood's Seafood are on the south causeway just on the east side of the intercostal waterway. Norwood's is on the left and Mon Delice is a very small building about a quarter mile up the road on the right. A few buildings past PJ's.

Blackbirds Inn is on US 1 on the right side of the street as you head north to Daytona Beach. Never had a bad meal there in the 40 or 50 times I have been there.

[villagerjack]

We like Fred Howard park beach in Tarpon Springs for a quick trip to the gulf. Nice beach, good parking, and not as crowded as some of the other beaches as it is cleverly hidden:-) New Smyrna is our fav on the Atlantic, and the Breakers is a fun place to have a cocktail and eat. A little farther on the gulf is Siesta Key beach, south of Sarasota, but parking is not always easy. Neat little Key West type downtown area.

Any concern about sharks at New Smyrna or is that a myth/rumor?

[Dreamer61]

They all sound lovely.

[Barefoot]

We enjoy Ormond Beach which is a small town just north of Daytona Beach. Great beach and good restaurants.

We like Ormond Beach because it is close to TV. We like Flagler Beach (just north of Ormond), because it has a dog friendly beach!

[BarryRX]

Any concern about sharks at New Smyrna or is that a myth/rumor?

Shark bite capital of the country! But I believe the annual migration is about over.

[graciegirl]

Any concern about sharks at New Smyrna or is that a myth/rumor?

It has been given the name of the shark capital of the world.

I don't go in anymore. I think I might be delicious. I like New Smyrna beach for walking and hearing and seeing the ocean. And it isn't far.

We took grandson Colin last year to New Smyrna Beach and watched him in the water for hours and then came home to have several posters tell us that it is the Shark oasis.

I was weak in the knees over that, but his mother is still speaking to me, Thank heavens.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Any concern about sharks at New Smyrna or is that a myth/rumor?

Here's a recent article. It's not a rumor......... :D

Shark bite Florida capital: Brevard County ties Volusia with eight bites each in 2012 - Orlando Sentinel (http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2013-02-14/news/os-shark-bite-florida-capital-20130214_1_shark-bites-small-shark-shark-attacks)

Bill :)

[tucson]

For those of you who've been in TV for a bit, what is your favorite closest day trip beach?

Any beach EXCEPT for the one in Crystal River near the Power Plant.

[Sable99]

Our condo on St. Augustine Beach!

[LndLocked]

Here's a recent article. It's not a rumor......... :D

Shark bite Florida capital: Brevard County ties Volusia with eight bites each in 2012 - Orlando Sentinel (http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2013-02-14/news/os-shark-bite-florida-capital-20130214_1_shark-bites-small-shark-shark-attacks)

Bill :)

I have surfed NSB for 40+ years and yep, it is the shark bite capital of the known and charted world ..... BUT, 97.675% of them are within 200 yards of the inlet (on the extreme northern end of the beach) and are just lil nips from Sand or Spinner Sharks. As for the remainder of the beach, you have no greater chance of an encounter than any other beach in Florida.

If you are reallllllly worried about near shore aquatic life ..... never, ever, never fly low enough to get a good look over any beach anywhere in the world.

[The Gray Hog]

The Colonades on Tampa Bay for lunch, then the Lowery park zoo. A tall iced tea and
Snack at the Pavillion n. Clearwater Bch. St Pete pier and trolley ride or shops at Tarpon and Greek food at Mr. Souvlaki. So many choices for sunny days.

[AriaGrandparents2013]

We like Ormond Beach because it is close to TV. We like Flagler Beach (just north of Ormond), because it has a dog friendly beach!

New to TV and wondering when you say close........how long of a trip to Ormond Beach...time?.....miles?

[bkcunningham1]

About 1 hour 50 minutes. MapQuest Maps - Driving Directions - Map (http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Ormond%20Beach&state=FL#afcd9b04635b70381095c5f8)

[CFrance]

We like Ormond Beach because it is close to TV. We like Flagler Beach (just north of Ormond), because it has a dog friendly beach!

Bare, how dog-frienly is Flagler? Can they be off-leash? If not, can they go in the water on a leash?

[springfield]

Manasota Key is a barrier island in Englewood. It is like old Florida, friendly, no high rises, shark's teeth, fossils, and no traffic! We have a condo there which is our home away from TV. You can go to Sunburst Condos.com to get a feel for the area. There are great public beaches and a state park on the island.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Bare, how dog-frienly is Flagler? Can they be off-leash? If not, can they go in the water on a leash?

Looks like you've gotta have your pooch on a leash:

http://www.cityofflaglerbeach.com/images/Brochure_for_dogs.pdf

Looks like the dog in the pic is in the water a bit. Nothing specifically mentioned about allowing dogs in the water on a leash.

Bill :)

[Barefoot]

Bare, how dog-frienly is Flagler? Can they be off-leash? If not, can they go in the water on a leash?

There is a portion of the lovely beach at Flagler that is designated as "pet friendly". Pets are supposed to be on a leash at all times whether on the beach or in the water. Everyone who uses the pet friendly beach seems to have a dog, and it usually isn't very busy (but I've only been there between October and April). I have often seen dogs on the beach and in the water that are unleashed, and no-one seems to mind. But the rule is to use leashes.

[LndLocked]

There is a portion of the lovely beach at Flagler that is designated as "pet friendly". Pets are supposed to be on a leash at all times whether on the beach or in the water. Everyone who uses the pet friendly beach seems to have a dog, and it usually isn't very busy (but I've only been there between October and April). I have often seen dogs on the beach and in the water that are unleashed, and no-one seems to mind. But the rule is to use leashes.

The "official" rule in Jax Bch is dogs on beach before 9am and after 5pm and on a leash at all times ..... the "locals" rule on the south end of the beach is; if your dog is well behaved it is ok to let them off the leash, however, if someone walking a lil antisocial yappy dog on a leash is coming, put yours back on until lil antisocial yappy dog is gone by.
:D

[CFrance]

The "official" rule in Jax Bch is dogs on beach before 9am and after 5pm and on a leash at all times ..... the "locals" rule on the south end of the beach is; if your dog is well behaved it is ok to let them off the leash, however, if someone walking a lil antisocial yappy dog on a leash is coming, put yours back on until lil antisocial yappy dog is gone by.
:D

:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[Dafoe]

Thank you all for sharing!

[Dafoe]

These are great ideas! Thank you all for sharing!