If you want undeveloped natural beach you can't beat CNS as there is nothing but miles of natural beach (Just don't go to the northernmost area unless you want to be surrounded by naked people.) I happen to prefer the west coast beaches but there are no waves. Treasure Island (Near ?St. Pete beach) is our favorite place on the west coast but there are many others including Fort Desoto state park.

An excellent question!
My recommend driving north via I-4 & I-95 about two hours. There you will find Crescent Beach, just between Palm Coast and St. Augustine. Here is a map: http://www.beacherslodge.com/images/content/mapofstaugustine.pdf
It features clean, soft, white sand, available parking and none of the crowds & parked cars you will find at Volusia County beaches such as Daytona & New Smyrna. If you do go, you could stay overnight 1-2 days and visit St. Augustine - America's oldest city.

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Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie

Opps: I should have said "I recommend driving north via I-4 & I-95...

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Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie

Canaveral National Seashore is beautiful, unspoiled and undeveloped. http://www.nps.gov/cana/index.htm Bring whatever you need in the way of drinks, food, sunscreen, etc. with you. The sheriff's office arrests nude sunbathers who, as gmoney says, used to be waaaaay at the north end of the beach - for what it's worth, in all the years I've lived here, I've never come across any naked people at Playalinda Beach.

Otherwise, if you go north, I'd go with Orlando_Vic's suggestion of Crescent Beach. If you go south, I'd try Melbourne Beach, which is a quiet, small town with a very nice beach.

Thanks very much. I thought Canaveral National Seashore sounded nice. I will also investigate Crescent Beach (I remember a beach just a little north of St.Augustin years ago when we stayed at Sawgrass that was very nice, but I think that's probably a little far for a daytrip).

Now - I have a feeling my daughter - who unlike the rest of us may prefer a little more in the way of civilization - is going to want to do at least one day at one of the Gulf Shore beaches within day-trip distance. I visited St. Pete's and Clearwater many many years ago, barely remember them and suspect things have changed anyway. Is there parking, are they super crowded, and are there Gulf Shore alternatives within about an hour or 2 drive of Orlando? (actually we'll be a little south of Orlando).

Cocoa Beach .... Out the 528 or Bee Line and a little bit south. Would be a reasonable day trip I think

I have heard that the north end of Canaveral National Seashore (Playalinda Beach) is a good place to celebrate your birthday!

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Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie

321go, I can assure you that if you go to the northern most parking area at CNS and take the path to the beach you will be surrounded by people who are as Vic says "celebrating their birhday" and even though it is not actually legal they will not be arrested. It is a state/county thing. According to state law it is not illegal to be nude in the national park, but according to county law it is. It is just tolerated, and has been going on for decades.

gmoney, yes Florida Today loves to do stories about nude sunbathers at CNS (and our previous sheriff loved Florida Today stories about his deputies arresting them) so I know they're there. I've just never personally encountered one. Perhaps I need to expand my horizons.

321go, I have been there (curiosity got the better of me) and I can assure you that they are there in numbers. Nothing obscene about it though just a bunch of people enjoying the beach dressed the same way they came into this world. Yes you should check it out sometime.

Cocoa Beach is close to CNS and might offer the activities your daughter wants, too.

Thanks again and will check out CNS and Cocoa Beach. I would still love to hear opinions/advice about St. Pete's and Clearwater area beaches - haven't been to these in 20+ years.

St Pete and Clearwater are beautiful but a long drive, especially after a day of sand, sun, etc. I4 through Orlando is a nightmare. Daytona is a good alternative on that side of the state.