[JohnM]

We have friends coming in late December and they want to "see the Gulf" ... as it will probably not be "beach weather" we are just looking for the closest Gulf beach to TV for a short day trip ... ideas appreciated ...

[The Great Fumar]

Originally Posted by JohnM

We have friends coming in late December and they want to "see the Gulf" ... as it will probably not be "beach weather" we are just looking for the closest Gulf beach to TV for a short day trip ... ideas appreciated ...

We go the Clearwater Beach ......its very nice and close also you might get lucky and have great weather.....it happens often in December.........

beachboy fumar

[buggyone]

Clearwater Beach is probably the closest and nicest to The Villages. However, in December, take your friends to Homasassa State Park to see all the manatees that have come in to the warm water from the Gulf. Out of state people really get a thrill out of that.

On the way back from Clearwater Beach, I would recommend stopping on the Causeway at Bahama Breeze restaurant for lunch or dinner. Great views and good food, too.

[Schaumburger]

Originally Posted by buggyone

Clearwater Beach is probably the closest and nicest to The Villages. However, in December, take your friends to Homasassa State Park to see all the manatees that have come in to the warm water from the Gulf. Out of state people really get a thrill out of that.

On the way back from Clearwater Beach, I would recommend stopping on the Causeway at Bahama Breeze restaurant for lunch or dinner. Great views and good food, too.

I will be back in TV from Oct. 7 to 15. Will the manatees be at Homasassa State Park then, or is that too early for them to be there?

[Posh 08]

If your friends have never been to Tarpon Springs it's a great stop for lunch after a morning at the beach. Greek food, wonderful.

[Schaumburger]

Originally Posted by Posh 08

If your friends have never been to Tarpon Springs it's a great stop for lunch after a morning at the beach. Greek food, wonderful.

Tarpon Springs is great...excellent Greek food.

[Barefoot]

I find Cedar Key very appealing and a nice spot for lunch on the water. I've seen dolphins playing there, close in, which is always fun. No sandy beach though.

[Posh 08]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

I find Cedar Key very appealing and a nice spot for lunch on the water. I've seen dolphins playing there, close in, which is always fun. No sandy beach though.

second that, went there first week of April, great weather and did a seafood crawl. Lots of restaurants and watering holes. Parked and walked. The best grouper sandwich from KW to Gulf Shores IMHO..

[NANCY58]

We go to honeymoon island state park. You can also take the ferry from there to caladesi,,it's an island that is only accessible by boat..really nice! They have a snack bar and restrooms, and lots of shells on the beach. It's almost 2 hours, but well worth it.

[buggyone]

October is kind of early for the manatees to be the park in big numbers. There are several that are permanent park residents, though. Nice place to visit for the day.

Honeymoon Island State Park is also great.

Both are State Parks so there is an entrance fee. Homasassa Springs is $13 per person, I believe, and Honeymoon Island is $8 per car (6 people in the car, I think, for a max). Disabled veterans (with your letter from the VA showing a disability) are free entrance family passes for life.

[villagegolfer]

Originally Posted by buggyone

October is kind of early for the manatees to be the park in big numbers. There are several that are permanent park residents, though. Nice place to visit for the day.

Honeymoon Island State Park is also great.

Both are State Parks so there is an entrance fee. Homasassa Springs is $13 per person, I believe, and Honeymoon Island is $8 per car (6 people in the car, I think, for a max). Disabled veterans (with your letter from the VA showing a disability) are free entrance family passes for life.

Wow, you sure know alot for a new poster.

[buggyone]

I have lived in The Villages about 2 years but only recently joined Talk of the Villages.

Great place to live and easy to get to the different parts of Florida. I would also recommend a longer trip (about a week) and drive to Sanibel Island by Fort Myers. Some great shelling beaches, lots of pelicans, lots of dolphins that come in close to the beach - while people are swimming in the area, and the occasional manatee, too.

[DonH57]

We have been to Cedar Key as well. Nice places to eat and shop and enjoy the sites. Beautiful area.