What "Lively" Beach Would You Go To For a Day Trip?
 

If you could go to a "fun" beach that is within a two-hour drive of The Villages, where would you go?
My cousin will be visiting in a few weeks and I'd like to take her to a beach for the day. I'm not familiar with any of the beaches in Florida -- I don't want a rural/quiet beach -- am looking for a beach that has a lot of fun options such as tourist shopping, music and restaurants. I searched the forums, but didn't find exactly what I'm looking for. I'd really appreciate suggestions. Thanks in advance!

Maybe check out Daytona Beach?

Clearwater!

Yeah, we went there once and it was very nice. If you look on Google maps, you will see a lot of places to eat.

Frenchy’s right in the beach. Grouper sandwich.

Siesta Key Sarasota.

In these trying times, the more "lively" a beach is, the more "deadly" it is also. I would try to find an isolated beach, or non at all. But maybe that's just me?

Recently spent two days at Clearwater Beach...before the recent virus upsurge...after working across the bridge from Clearwater Beach for most of my career. :) Can’t beat it imo for a “fun” beach.

But as others have said...enjoy with caution.

New Smyrna Beach.

Clearwater or anywhere on the Gulf. The ocean is aqua blue, you see through it as you drive your car up from the road. The sand is like sugar. The Atlantic is a poor imitation of a beach. Dark water, colder, and the sand is mostly broken shells crushed together, that's why you can drive your car on it. Anyone that has been to both coasts will say the Gulf Coast. Clearwater, Siesta Keys, Destin, these places have all been picked as the best in the USA.

Treasure Island is fun and funky.

Venice

No judgment, but do you really want to the beach right now?

Clearwater

Clearwater would be my suggestion. If you go, I also recommend you eat at Frenchy's Rockaway Grill Seafood restaurant at 7 Rockaway St. It's right on the beach. Get a patio/lanai table and you get a great view of the Gulf and people playing beach volleyball.

Johns pass

We've been to both New Smyrna Beach on the east coast and Clearwater on the west coast
New Smyrna Beach historically has a very high number of shark attacks...so if you go there be careful in the water
Clearwater was nice and seemed to have far more restaurants and shopping options...there is a boat cruise in Clearwater where they serve drinks and lunch that you might be interested in (you should be able to google that) we've been on it

Someone else mentioned Treasure Island....my aunt and uncle wintered there for years....nice beach, nice walkway along the beach too

Beach day
 

Definitely Clearwater and lunch at Frenchys. If you have time, drive a little further south and stop at St. John’s Pass
for shopping...lots of funky shops along with some nicer shops for beachwear and clothing.

Beach
 

Clearwater for the beach and a short drive to Destin for shopping and restaurants

Fenney pool.

Go to Clearwater beach. Very fun lots to do. St Pete beach has a lot going on too. These are West Coast beaches. Lived in Florida for 20 years

Anna Maria Island is also nice. It is on the Gulf and has little shops and restaurants.

New Smryna, Daytona, Clearwater are all fun. But, please be careful.

Flagler beach is not huge but has easy access from road. Great waves and there’s still some shopping.

North Clearwater Beach just a couple blocks north of the pier at 60, but not usually as crowded. Two good restaurants right there, Frnnchy's and Palm Pavilion. Shopping down by 60. It’s a deep beach, and the water of the gulf is warmer than the ocean. John's Pass, further south in St Petersburg also has a lot of shopping and restaurants. Lot of touristy shops.

I would go to Clearwater too. Soft, fine sand. Lots of bars/restaurants. Ample parking. And beautiful water. Can’t beat it.

the beach and visitors.. NO WAY !!! Florida positives for Covid now are 5000+ a day..thanks to beach visitors. Please DO NOT bring it back to the Villages. We have the LOWEST POSITIVES on record.

Clearwater beach Tampa is 2 hours away ..go early because of traffic & parking..voted # 1 beach in the US..

Clearwater.

Clearwater and you can eat at Frenchy’s on the beach. The beach is beautiful and there are a lot of shopping in the area. Google Clearwater beach for more info.

Clearwater Beach was named the number one beach in Florida for several consecutive years. Then a few years ago it was named the #1 beach in the United States.
Park in the big hotel and take the elevator down and walk across the street.

Great sand, and water. Easy access to facilities while on the beach. Outdoor showers when leaving the beach Plenty to do and great food everywhere.

Cocoa Beach, just 2 hrs and has Shops and restaurants. Easy parking at Shepard Park $2.50 an hr or $15 a day.

Destin is in the panhandle on the Far west side Of Florida & about a 5-1/2hr Drive.

Johns pass

A lot of beaches have now been closed. Unless your cousin has been tested please tell her to stay home. We are spiking and I don't want to get COVID because outsiders have decided to visit. This is how it will spread quickly throughout The Villages.

Having spent years on a boat on both sides, it depends what you are looking for. The ocean is cooler than the gulf and the waves are bigger. Daytona is a great beach with lots to do but is also an epicenter. If you want sand beaches and baby waves go west to Clearwater or St. Pete, that whole peninsula has beaches and restaurants and shops but also has Covid.

Clearwater or St. Pete beach. Both have lots of shops and things to do.

Maderia Beach is close to St Johns Pass for shopping and esting. Lots of restaurants. You should spend the night! Just google all the different places!

Please. Going to the beach is much less dangerous than going to the supermarket or a crowded bar. As long as you social distance it's not a problem.

Join the sharks!