Sarasota Vacation
- Thread starter true55
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We have a place at Longboat Key. Longboat, Lido Key,and Siesta Key are all very nice. Siesta has the best beach. Sugary sand. The others are a little more rocky. St. Armand's is a nice area for shops and restaurants. Columbia's is our favorite - pompano cooked in a paper bag with shrimp and cream is great. The Ringling art museum is spectacular. His house and the circus museum are on the same property. Normal beach concessions - jet skis and parasailing.
I stayed with family just down the road in Port Charlotte and we went to a few of the beaches in the area. Siesta Key Beach is awesome. Feels like about 3 football fields distance of beach to cross to get to the water.
It is very clean and probably the best beach I have ever went to. The waves are very calm and the water is crystal clear.
Down the road is another pretty nice beach for shelling and that is Englewood Beach. It was better this year then last year when I went.
I love the Gulf side and probably won't go to the Atlantic side much anymore. I went to Fort Walton Beach last year and it was also nice. It is a little down the road going toward Miami. I can't really say much about the hotels or food since I stayed in Port Charlotte, but the beaches are great. Plenty of stuff to do within about an hour or two of there. If you are lucky you might see some interesting wildlife. Actually saw this critter out by the side of the road.
I got about 20' from it and it looked to be about an 8' gator. I was going to get a little closer for a better picture but it decided to go into the water. I probably will keep going back as long as I have relatives to invite me down. The drive was a little rough being about 15-16 hours due to multiple traffic issues along the way and that was about the only negative from our trip.
Fun fact
If you watch the show Cougartown, it seems to be located somewhere in that area. I did see a lot of middle aged women down there.
It is very clean and probably the best beach I have ever went to. The waves are very calm and the water is crystal clear.
Down the road is another pretty nice beach for shelling and that is Englewood Beach. It was better this year then last year when I went.
I love the Gulf side and probably won't go to the Atlantic side much anymore. I went to Fort Walton Beach last year and it was also nice. It is a little down the road going toward Miami. I can't really say much about the hotels or food since I stayed in Port Charlotte, but the beaches are great. Plenty of stuff to do within about an hour or two of there. If you are lucky you might see some interesting wildlife. Actually saw this critter out by the side of the road.
I got about 20' from it and it looked to be about an 8' gator. I was going to get a little closer for a better picture but it decided to go into the water. I probably will keep going back as long as I have relatives to invite me down. The drive was a little rough being about 15-16 hours due to multiple traffic issues along the way and that was about the only negative from our trip.
Fun fact
If you watch the show Cougartown, it seems to be located somewhere in that area. I did see a lot of middle aged women down there.
Siesta Key has won a lot of awards for top ranked Florida beach.
If you want a really nice beach that has a lot of "action" shops, fishing charters, tiki bars, Hobi rentals etc. you can't beat St. Pete Beach IMO.
OTOH if you prefer a more quiet out of the way beach but close by to a town, Lovers Key in Bonita Springs is cool (just south of Ft. Myers Beach).
If you want a really nice beach that has a lot of "action" shops, fishing charters, tiki bars, Hobi rentals etc. you can't beat St. Pete Beach IMO.
OTOH if you prefer a more quiet out of the way beach but close by to a town, Lovers Key in Bonita Springs is cool (just south of Ft. Myers Beach).
This is a positive for you?
I always feel cheated when I go to the beach and there is little or no surf. If I want calm water, I can go to the pool.
Congrats. Those are the worst beach pics ever posted in the Paddock.I stayed with family just down the road in Port Charlotte and we went to a few of the beaches in the area. Siesta Key Beach is awesome. Feels like about 3 football fields distance of beach to cross to get to the water.
It is very clean and probably the best beach I have ever went to. The waves are very calm and the water is crystal clear.
Down the road is another pretty nice beach for shelling and that is Englewood Beach. It was better this year then last year when I went.
I love the Gulf side and probably won't go to the Atlantic side much anymore. I went to Fort Walton Beach last year and it was also nice. It is a little down the road going toward Miami. I can't really say much about the hotels or food since I stayed in Port Charlotte, but the beaches are great. Plenty of stuff to do within about an hour or two of there. If you are lucky you might see some interesting wildlife. Actually saw this critter out by the side of the road.
I got about 20' from it and it looked to be about an 8' gator. I was going to get a little closer for a better picture but it decided to go into the water. I probably will keep going back as long as I have relatives to invite me down. The drive was a little rough being about 15-16 hours due to multiple traffic issues along the way and that was about the only negative from our trip.
Fun fact
If you watch the show Cougartown, it seems to be located somewhere in that area. I did see a lot of middle aged women down there.
OP- Sarasota huh? Hope you like 80 yr old *****.
Remember what I told you.
Remember what I told you.
Nope, just going from memory and misspoke. I meant Fort Myers.
Yes especially for smaller kids. If I want bigger waves I will go to the crappy Atlantic side.
Don't listen to these other posters. It is a great area to take your family. If you want to go to check out chicks or dudes (if your into that) then go to Panama City Beach or Daytona.
Mmm who doesn't like a nice dry aged *****. Pair with a strawberry boones farm. Mmm that's the beach life every man deserves.
$35/lb Whole Foods
Just went down during Christmas vacation, loved it!! I went with my wife and our four teenagers. We loved the beach. Checked out the Mote Marine Laboratory/Aquarium. We all enjoyed it. Ask the locals for the good seafood places. Ate at Walt's Fish Market/Restaurant. It was pretty good. Wished we had more time. So much more I would have taken in. We had to leave early to see my wife's aunt and uncle who has a place in Palm Beach Gardens on the PGA Golf Course. I got to take in a round there. Nice place!!