closest beach
 

Hello! Have friends here who would like to get to a beach. Anyone know the closest one? I'm thinking Daytona Beach?? Help??

I Believe you are correct about Daytona Beach being closest. I do not care much for that beach however because it is too packed down. I believe that St Pete and Clearwater are only 15-20 mins farther away but have far prettier beaches. JMO> Sally

Depends on what you are looking for. I love South Daytona Beach if I am in the mood for being around crowds. St Pete and Clearwater for total relaxation. Daytona is closer, St Pete/Clearwater (if you miss traffic) 30 minutes longer

No comparison between the two. Clearwater Beach is the best. Head to Tampa and then due West to Clearwater from near the airport on hwy 60.

http://www.google.com/images?hl=&q=c...w=1280&bih=795

New Smyrna is probably closer than Daytona - we happen to like the towns better too (New Smyrna Beach and New Smyrna). Hard flat beach, but we think nicer than Daytona. 4 or 5 really nice, friendly restaurants also. Have stayed there about 3 times. We might be in the minority, but just don't like the high rises and the tourist traps at Daytona (or Clearwater).

Our favorite West Coast beaches are Anna Maria island (not sure I wanted to let everyone know about that one) and Siesta Key. A little further, but worth it. We also like Venice Beach a lot.

Daytona Beach is the closest, about 90 minutes from TV. All of the beaches on both sides are great, and we love Daytona. If you are wanting to drive to a beach, just for the day, and not spend the night, I think that Daytona is the best choice; and there is more interesting scenery along the way going to Daytona, since going to the Gulf side beaches it is mostly interstate to get there. Daytona is flat and level at the water edge, so it is great if you want to go for a long walk on the beach. There is a great casual oceanside restaurant, Ocean Deck, just south of the pier, perfect for lunch, snacks, and drinks. When we go to Daytona we usually park in the parking lot there, for easy access to the beach and the Ocean Deck.

If going to the Beach for a day I prefer Fred Howard Park in Tarpon Springs on the Gulf. It is easy to get to without hitting alot of large city traffic. It is not easy to find so you will need good directions using a google map or GPS. Where it is located you go through some neighborhoods in Tarpon Springs.

There are no hotels and usually not crowded. The beach is located out in the Gulf about a mile on an island and you drive there via a causway. The beach is very nice. This is a hidden gem in my opiniion. If you go there you will go back. Fred Howard Beach is 90 miles from Wildwood of which 53 miles is on I-75.

Link below.

http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/06_Howard.htm

Link to beach view below.

http://www.pinellascounty.org/virtua...ward_beach.htm

Photo of Island see link below.

http://pinellaspeach.com/files/2009/...h-resized1.jpg

Alexander Springs - about a 45 minute drive from TV.

http://www.forestcamping.com/dow/sou...nder%20springs


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There's a great Gulf beach only 1 hour from TV, near Crystal River. Take 44 west to 19/98, so south, connect back up with 44 W and it dead ends at the Gulf. There is a pier there. About 1/2 mile before the end of 44 there is a nice little beach/picnic area with a safe inlet for swimming.

Another vote for New Smyrna Beach but then again I am partial. Spent many a month of December in NSB over the past 20 years. That was until I found TV.

New Smyrna beach is number one in the USA for shark bites . . . last year it had more shark bites than in the whole country of Australian . . . sure smaller and less deadly sharks but who needs 10 or more stiches just for a beach visit?

Believe this is Fort Island Gulf Beach

http://www.citruscountyfl.org/commse....jsp?PARKID=18

very nice and maybe the closest gulf beach to TV.

.

Siesta Key, Crescent Beach
 

Siesta Key Crescent Beach is breath-taking--snow white, powder-soft sand . . there's NO other place like this. The 2.5 hour drive to Sarasota is well worth it if you have time to spend a day or two, at least.

You probably have a better chance of getting struck by lightening than getting bitten by a shark. Plus most of the bites happen near the Inlet so there are miles of beach to chose from. There were only 8 in 2009 according to Capt. Scott Petersohn with the Volusia County Beach Patrol. The state of Florida had 32 attacks in 2007 and 2008 and 19 in 2009.

Who says you have to swim in the water? I just like to walk the beach! One time after a storm saw lots and lots of starfish and sand dollars.

However, after checking out all the links, I gotta vote for Fred Howard Park in Tarpon Springs - looks lovely, and I'm one who likes trees near the beach. We'll be trying that one. We've been to the town - Tarpon Springs, which is fun too. Some great Greek restaurants and cute shops, didn't realize there was a beach, although I think it was a chilly day when we were there so might not have looked too hard.

Closest beach
 

Ponce Inlet -- if you are going to the Daytona Beach area.

Ponce Inlet is a little south of Daytona Beach. There is a nice beach area, a lighthouse, a park and a stone jetty. It is across the inlet from New Symrna Beach and you can drive to New Symrna Beach after spending time at Ponce Inlet. Walking the jetty is fun.

If you go to New Symrna Beach, there is an area where there are little shops, restaurants and like Daytona Beach, you can drive on the beach.

(Ponce deLeon Lighthouse and Lighthouse Point County Park)It is a very pleasant day trip.

Have a fun day at the beach, whichever one you choose!

Thanks!!
 

Wow! Great suggestions everyone. Thank you all so much. We've been to Daytona Beach often and Clearwater/St. Pete some, but I'm excited to try the ones we haven't been to yet!! Woo Hoo!!

beach
 

The beach in Tarpon Springs is wonderful. There are areas for dogs, areas for windsurfers, shady areas and sunny areas. Lots of parking, picnic tables scattered throughout the park too. Almost always a nice breeze too. Great for biking in that area too. The Pinellas bike trail goes through the town of Tarpon Springs, you can go all the way to clearwater on the trail. Great greek food, shops and even have a boat that takes you out a little where they stop and you get to see a real old fashion diver go down to get sponges. it's a very fun day . Enjoy!

Fort Desoto Park gorgeous beach....2 hours 20min away.

walking
 

Out of all the beaches listed above, tell me the ones where you can/cannot take a long walk. Thanks.

St. Augustine Beach. Drive on it if you want. Nice pier with entertainment. Restaurants. Ampitheater for occasional shows. 7 miles to Old Town St. Aug. New tourist attractions.

New Smyrna is the closes...1 hr and 20 min.....get there about 10...free parking right near the beach, a little shopping area and restaurant Boston Fish House is not far...5 min ...great fried clams! Take 42 to 44 e all the way.

Anyone know of a quaint little beach town between Daytona and Ormond Beach? Heard it was a well kept secret.

The only town I know of that's between Daytona and Ormond is Holly Hill.

Bill :)

Beach
 

Ormond beach is very nice, and it's closer than the other atlantic beaches. Just go over sr 40. Also, honeymoon island state park (north of tampa), near palm harbor is great and you can take the ferry over to caladesi island.

Closest Beach
 

California Girl is talking about the Citrus County Park, it's sits on the south side of the Crystal River, you can see the power plant on the other side. The public beach has modern bathrooms and changing facilities. Driving to this beach is thru a area that will give you an idea what the wetlands looked like before any development. The closest Atlantic Beach is New Smyrna. Try Chase's on the beach. You can google either one.
Jeff

:024:

Agree with you, New Smyrna is better, but hard sand.
 

Agree with New Smyrna. Hard sand, but small town atmosphere.