Wednesday or Thursday the new cases in Florida for the day was 9000[B]!

Agree! Being on a beach is probably one of the safest places to be - plenty of fresh air and typically a nice breeze. The media has used scenes of crowded beaches as a metaphor for a hazardous Covid lifestyle. Nothing could be farther from the truth. It is just lazy, unscientific journalism. The hazard comes into play when you go off the beach and into an indoor crowded bar.

Smyrna Beach
 

Lively and you get to pet the sharks swimming with you.

My neighbor has taken up fishing in a big way the past year. Every week he tells me of where he fished that week, it's usually Venice, St. Pete Beach or Pine Island off Spring Hill (that's a county park). For Pine Island just take Hwy 50 all the way to the end. You'll pass Weeki Wachie Springs at Hwy 19 intersection. He either surf fishes or off a pier. He's leaving tomorrow for Destin and coming back Thursday night. He's very cautious, he even wears a mask when at the golf course around the club house and putting greens. He just got back last weekend from a week at Marathon, it's an island in the keys about 50 miles before Key West. They rented a condo and he said it was great.

I grew up in St. Petersburg, my parents moved there in '59 and I graduated St. Pete High in '68. I can remember when Treasure Island and St. Pete Beach were nothing a but a couple of motels. You could drive from St. Pete to Clearwater north on Hwy 19 and not see a building in the early 60's. There was a sign pointing west on Hwy 60 that said, "Clearwater Beach" and a gas station on the corner.

Something I found amazing was the Kapok Tree Restaurant in Safety Harbor went out of business. It was a huge restaurant that served 4,000 people a day at it's peak in the 70's during high season. I guess owners died, poor management, whatever. It's still there, but it's a Sam Ash Music Store and a hall that can rented for banquets and weddings, etc. It had beautiful gardens and was a sight to see. I only made it once in 1975.

To get there, instead of taking I-275 (Howard Franklin Bridge), take Hwy 60 Courtney Campbell Causey across Tampa Bay, you get on at the west side of Tampa Airport. After the causeway ends, look for the first overpass (McMullen Booth Rd) take that to the right (north) and it will be a 1/2 mile on the right.

https://static.flickr.com/58/198535066_3219152a92_o.jpg

Back in the restaurant days

https://www.floridamemory.com/fpc/commerce/c684928.jpg

Now if you want to buy a guitar, go to the Kapok Tree, it's Sam Ash.

https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/me...usic-store.jpg

If you want to see if Clearwater Beach is busy, here's a webcam. Turn off your ad-blocker after you get on the site, and click in the lower right and make it full screen. You might have to click on the image to get it go live. I can remember going there in the 70's and seeing buoys out by the end of the pier, and it was a shark net. I don't know why they removed it, maybe too much trouble.

Clearwater Beach Live Webcam

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Haha as long as you don’t mind swimming with sharks !

I visited Kapok Tree on my first visit to Florida right after college. It was a really nice place. Couldn't locate it 15 years later on my second visit. Sorry to learn of it's demise. It was a place I thought I'd like to revisit.

Look at Lido beach on Lido Key. St. Armand's Circle is within walking distance.
A bit longer ride than what you planned on?? Try Coquina beach....
Honeymoon Island is close to Dunedin and shopping.

Siesta Key Beach, voted best beach in America (Sarasota)

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

In light of the COVID uptick, I doubt we'll end up doing this, after all. But, I really appreciate all of these replies. It gives me something to go on for the future. My cousin comes from a very small, rural town in Nebraska. Going to the beach would be a real treat for her. Thank you!!!

Thank you! This is particularly helpful.

With the virus running rampant, you'd be better off at a quiet beach with less people.

Definitely agree, hard to beat, & easy to get to 441 - 42 - 44.

Four winners, by distance:
1. Clearwater Beach Pier 60
2. Sunset Beach @ Treasure Island
3. Pass-A-Grille @ St. Pete Beach
4. Bradenton Beach

Siesta Key Sarasota.
 

was there a few weeks ago people were distancing free parking great place

IN THESE TIMES I WOULDN'T BE LOOKING FOR 'LIVELY.' Daytona effective sunday requires a mask in public if you aren't 6 feet apart if that offers you comfort. When I'm not in TVS I'm in New Smyrna Beach. Much more upscale than Daytona, which in my opinion is sleazy. NSB is clean, upscale and has great restaurants and eclectic shops and isn exactly 2 hrs away.

Beach
 

Daytona or New Symrna

Honeymoon Beach on golf side

Not worth the risk.

I agree. Maderia Beach between Clearwater and John’s Pass. And look for 18 On The Rocks! Best peal and eat shrimp I’ve ever had.

St Augustine!!

I vote for Tarpon Springs and Sunset Beach. You can browse the shops in Tarpon Springs, enjoy fabulous Greek restaurants and bakeries, then swim and by all means, watch the sun set from Sunset Beach.

St. Armands Circle and Lido Key.
The circle is similar to a town square in The Villages, but with the Columbia restaurant for Cuban cuisine and several other really good places. It’s a little more family oriented than the spring break hot spots like Daytona or Clearwater, but those can be really fun!

St Augustine if you have a 4 wheel drive. Drive on to the beach and just stay in the car if you're concerned.

ANY beach is a must for someone from Nebraska.

go to a nude beach. should be lively

Lido beach / St. Armand’s Circle

St. Armands Circle and Lido Beach in Sarasota. A little over 2 hours away. You can enjoy long beaches, fun shopping on the Circle (the only time a mask is advised) and lots of choices for great places to dine outside.

How about Madeira Beach. Beautiful beach close to John's pass which is a great shopping area and restaurants.

Madiera Beach with St John's Pass for restaurants and shops and a fun atmosphere. At least more so that other beaches I think. You can walk right over to St John's Pass from the beach. As far as music I'm not sure - maybe in the evenings.

Honey moon island state park. Go during the week not as crowded! Our favorite is Venice beach and look for sharks teeth

You're right, that's a great little place to eat and shop. Between Madeira Beach and Treasure Island, off St. Petersburg.

Google Maps

https://www.visitflorida.com/bin/vf/...500.imagecache

https://4feo872yrq891mrmgs21v589-wpe...NA-768x576.jpg

Kids would love a ride on the pirate ship. This time of year, motels are cheap along that area, especially since most are older and have to compete with the newer highrises.

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Dqg-m4M1o...pirateShip.jpg

St. Pete beach or Clearwater beach. St Pete has music on the beach in various hotel bars.

Only if they only allow people under 30. Who wants to looks at us old fogies.

Caliente Resort is “lively” around the pools.

Hmm how lively is lively?

Clearwater or Anna Maria or St Pete. West Cost is best

Dunedin. Destin is in the panhandle.

Daytona Beach fits your criteria
 

I suggest Daytona Beach. It's beautiful with plenty of shops & restaurants around.

Daytona amusement park
 

Daytona pier and boardwalk has a ferris wheel and small roller coaster, arcade and shops, though how operating in Covid closures needs checking.

Beach and visitors now ... HELLO PANDEMIC in full swing getting worse.. and you want to bring it to the Villages where our positives are low.... PLEASE..................

I visited Clearwater Beach this past February before the pandemic - lots of nice restaurants, very walkable, great beach. Would I go there now...probably not as this area can be very crowded, but that's me.

A plug for Clearwater Marine Aquarium...which rescues, rehabilitates and aims to return injured marine life back to the ocean. Well worth a visit if you are going to Clearwater or Clearwater Beach.