As a Villager, what’s your “go to” beach?
 

Just wondering, where is your favorite beach closest to The Villages, in any direction? I’ve enjoyed many beaches in Fla., but don’t have much experience with beaches two hours or less from TV. Looking for a long weekend visit, as far as duration is concerned.

Thanks for your input! 😎

Treasure Island area and Pass-a-Grille. Gulf beaches are superior to Atlantic beaches IMO.

Madeira beach or Johns Pass state park.

Siesta Key is one of the best beaches in the country. It’s more like 3 hours. The closest beaches would be east coast, Cocoa Beach or Daytona area beaches ( ormond, new smyrna) or Clearwater and Ft Desoto on the west coast and all are about a 2 hour drive give or take. I also love Anna Maria Island in the Sarasota/Bradenton area.

When my wife and I stayed at TV. St. Pete was our go-to beach.

Adding Indian Rocks near St. Pete

Beaches
 

New Smyrna

I find Eaton's Beach good enough for me now. 20 minutes away from me, a very good size lake, restaurant/bar with water view, kids and adults enjoying beach volleyball or various rental water toys.

We like Clearwater Beach and Siesta Key.

Andy Romano park in Ormond Beach. Free parking and bathrooms and showers. It is a relatively new park. But you have to download the Volusia County Beach app to see the live flag conditions. If you don't mind calmer water go to Clearwater Beach on the gulf side. No need to check flag conditions.

Not only is New Smyrna Beach the shark bite capital, it is also very pebbly.

After my wife and I moved here we went to Clearwater Beach the first time.
Stayed at Palm Pavillion; small, but right on the beach, parking included.

Ormond on Atlantic and Honeymoon on the Gulf

I am guessing there might be a bias towards East Coast if you grew up there (and vice versa).

How about wind? I perceive sustained 10+ mph winds are more prevalent along the East Coast. I experienced this a few times.

I have always preferred the gulf to the Atlantic, just because better sand and warmer water. However, once I bought a jeep and figured out how much easier the whole process is when you can drive on the beach and not have to schlep everything from the parking lot, I decided I could deal with the ugly sand and colder water.