[janeg]

We will be looking for a beach that has some facilities like rest rooms, lifeguards, some places to eat or have a drink. Any suggestions are appreciated. We will finally be spending 3 months in our little home in Fernandina and are sooooooooooooo happy!

[buggyone]

I like the Clearwater Beach area on the Gulf side. Wide beaches and gradual sloping of the shore into the water. The water is usually calmer than on the Atlantic side.

However, on the Atlantic side, Cocoa Beach is extremely nice.

Both are just about 2 hours from The Villages.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Daytona and New Smyrna beach are a bit closer. That's where we usually go.

[Bill32]

We like New Smyrna best. Nice honky tonk on the beach, park on beach, showers etc. and good for shark watching.. saw a nice 8 footer in the swell of the wave behind the one I was getting ready to ride....

[Happinow]

We usually go to Daytona or New Smyrna because they are closest and you can get to them via the "back roads". We really want to get to the golf side and explore. We hear the beaches are beautiful there.

[DougB]

East, west? You really can't go wrong. Both coasts have beautiful beaches.

[PammyJ]

Just spent some time on the west coast, beautiful!!! But one really important aspect of going to the beach is the therapeutic sound of the surf...not there on the gulf. East coast produces the most beautiful sounds. Take in a huge breath, of salt air and exhale listening to the waves, nothing like it!

[LatDoc]

One big difference.....the Gulf is 90 degrees in the summer at times....the Atlantic about 72 at best...if you have never been to the Gulf side, try it.
Clearwater is two hours away and is very nice...many others to choose from but try both sides over time.....both have things to like.

[kittygilchrist]

Originally Posted by DougB

East, west? You really can't go wrong. Both coasts have beautiful beaches.

agree with that Pammy. considerations about swimming: it can be rough on the atlantic. vs you can't boogie board in the gulf.
heck, I meant to quote Pammy about the benefits of the atlantic. not to get all scientific, but crashing water makes negative ions and they make
people feel good.

[janeg]

I'm a fan of crashing waves!

[LvmyPug2]

We love the St. Pete's Beach area on the gulf side. More of an "old Florida" feel. Wonderful sandy beaches and warm waters.

[Bill32]

On the Gulf Honeymoon Island, Calidesie Island

[gocubsgo]

We take our dog to Flagler Beach not far from Daytona. Quiet, secluded and there's even a bar/restaurant not 50 yards from the water!

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by gocubsgo

We take our dog to Flagler Beach not far from Daytona. Quiet, secluded and there's even a bar/restaurant not 50 yards from the water!

How much can you "get away with" with your dog at Flagler? If they have to be on a leash, can it be a line long enough to allow them to go swimming?

Our golden retriever has put in a request that we find him a beach for swimming since we dragged him kicking and screaming away from Lake Michigan.

DougB (I think it was he) recommended Cocoa Beach to us; more specifically, the Best Western right next to the pier. We're going there over Christmas with our son and d-i-l. I'm an Atlantic-side fan. I prefer the wave action and the noise. We spent three months on Anna Maria Island one year and were disappointed in the Gulf. Beautiful, but too calm and quiet for my taste.

[Bogie Shooter]

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gulfcoast beaches