Florida Native Question?

[NCIS]

Whats better the Atlantic side or the Gulf Side?
The wife and I want to pack up the Van and head out to relax a little and get
our minds off our Biz (or lack of it these days) for a week and Fish and relax some in the sun.
She has only been to Orlando once about 10 years ago and I have not been in maybe 5 years? to Tampa and many many years since I was in West Palm Beach.
I would like to hear from the natives what side is nicer?
We would like to go in the first week of April (which is her B-day)

[ippon20]

are you a beach freak? If so...do you want a nice relaxing beach or one with waves and watersports? If relaxing...might I suggest neither side but head to the panhandle for some of the best beach sand you could possibly imagine. Small town feel right around Port St.Joe, Mexico Beach, but stay away from Destin unless you want the vacation to be more of a shopping destination. I was born and raised in Tampa and got married on Anna Maria Island that's near Sarasota and would highly recommend that as well. I prefer the East coast as I surf so for there I would recommend New Smyrna, Indiatlantic, and Melbourne. Hit me up if you do the Orlando thing as the wife and I could help you out with that. Good luck and let us know if you need any other help.

[NCIS]

Originally Posted by ippon20

are you a beach freak? If so...do you want a nice relaxing beach or one with waves and watersports? If relaxing...might I suggest neither side but head to the panhandle for some of the best beach sand you could possibly imagine. Small town feel right around Port St.Joe, Mexico Beach, but stay away from Destin unless you want the vacation to be more of a shopping destination. I was born and raised in Tampa and got married on Anna Maria Island that's near Sarasota and would highly recommend that as well. I prefer the East coast as I surf so for there I would recommend New Smyrna, Indiatlantic, and Melbourne. Hit me up if you do the Orlando thing as the wife and I could help you out with that. Good luck and let us know if you need any other help.

I was in Pensacola wayway back in late 70's while in the Navy
but im sure allot has changed since then.
WE ARE BEACH FREAKS!
Thanks for the advise.

[chriseskew24]

Well if you want the best of both worlds hit the Florida Keys.. You wount regret it. To the East Atlantic. To the West Gulf all within a few minutes of each other. As far as which side in the rest of the state. If you want to relax and not do much i suggest Marco Island/Napels GULF.. But if you want alot to do shoping,drinking,water sports,among other things then you come to my neck of the woods Fort lauderdale/Atlantic Or you could always hit Daytona,St,Augestine Both Atlantic side.
Please remember we are comeing up on spring break so here in Fort Lauderdale & Daytona will probably get a little crazy soon.
But if you can swing it hit the Florida Keys you cant regret that trip. I love it down there great fishing, snorkeling, island liveing, cool bars you realy cant beat it. IMHO

[ippon20]

yeah, west of Destin is WAY different from the 70s. North Florida is more about the curve nowadays. There was an old paper mill in that area that closed years ago so many of the residents there started small businesses since losing their jobs at the mill. It's still very much untouched with great driving all along the coast. I'm talking thick Pine trees on one side of the street with dunes, powder white sand, and emerald green water on the other side. It's really pretty crazy. St Augustine is a good run as well as Amelia Island Plantation up near Jacksonville (I just stayed there about 1 month ago). In my short time on this planet, I can honestly say I've probably traveled every square mile of Florida Coastline looking for unknown surf spots (with exception of NASA's beachline that hasn't allowed anyone other than commanding officers on premises EVER). I could go on and on about water qualities, sand types, reef and rock bottoms, etc.. I enjoy it almost as much as I do my watches! I would closely consider the panhandle, it's true FL and not the island style mumbo jumbo many people think of (heck, even Jimmy Buffet lives up there on his own island if that tells you anything)

[baldyspoon]

Not a native but me and the missus done clearwater and st pete's last October and loved every minute of it, not sure if this helps but beach was fantastic and people really nice.

[Art 1]

My wife and I often to to Longboat Key and St. Armands Circle very near Sarasota. The Longboat Key Club is a nice place to stay. Also, Captiva Island is very nice and is in the Ft. Myers area.

[figbo]

If it's fishing what you want,try the west coast,east coast bites!
New Smyrna Beach is very nice and less crowded than Daytona Beach just a few miles to the north.

[ippon20]

Originally Posted by figbo

If it's fishing what you want,try the west coast,east coast bites!
New Smyrna Beach is very nice and less crowded than Daytona Beach just a few miles to the north.

I agree with the fishing...can't beat those flats in the bay! Just don't get caught after dark @ Ben T. Davis