My family and I are are planning to visit the Gulf Coast of Florida next year, travelling from North Wales UK.
I have been trawling trough the internet looking for tips on where to go.
The beaches look absolutely fabulous but so big.
We are used to going to Greece each year where the beaches are lovely but on a smaller scale.

Are there any on the Florida Gulf Coast that are not huge but a bit more managable with plenty of facilities.
We don't mind where we go but I like it to be a happening place (not nightlife, as we're not bothered about that) but shops, attractions for my daughter and a nice beach.

Florida is just so big - we usually go to a Greek island where you can get around the whole island in a few days but I really do not know where to start in Florida.

Hope one of you Florida experts out there can help !

Hi Annaellieb: We're planning a trip to Florida next year also. We're considering the Destin area, located on the northern tip of the gulf coast area. We haven't been there before so I can't give you a first hand "review" but from everything I have seen and read, the beaches are wonderful. I've read that Destin apparently has been going through a growth spurt and has transformed itself from a lovely "quiet" area to a lovely, more happening, family oriented place with lots of condos available and fewer hotel rooms. There is shopping, good dining and I think some sort of water park / amusement area. I've been waiting to get more information on the different areas of Destin, as we were looking at a house to rent in the Dunes of Destin area, and are looking at condos at Silver Shells. You can also get information at tripadvisor.com. Good luck with your planning.

We take our extended family to Destin every year and have for the past 7 years. It has the most beautiful beaches and has gone through a TREMENDOUS growth spurt. We like the slice of redneck heaven you can get also-water park, go carts-taken VERY seriously in our family, bunjee jumping-you get the idea. They also have a huge outlet mall if you like shopping.

We always rent houses in Emerald Shores. It is across the street from the beach and has a pool and tennis courts.

It is a great week for us!

annaellieb, what time of year will you be visiting?

Hi AustinTraveler - we are planning on last week of May, 1st week of June.
Is this what you call 'Spring Break' and if so would this mean some places would be over run with beer swilling college kids?
If so, it would not suit with an 8 yr old although not bad for a girls 'night out'!
Since posting my message I have got some brochures from the Travel Agent - does anyone know that the Sand Key or Siesta Key areas are like?
Thanks for the advice on Destin - sounds like a great place.
We also looked at Naple, but it appears (I may be wrong) full of pensioners and golfers?
We really want some family fun - pls help !!

Where are you planning on flying to? I would assume Miami, so the closest places would be Sanibel/Fort Myers, or Naples. If you decide on Destin, you can fly from Miami to Fort Walton Beach (near Destin).

I am partial to the Destin area, but Sanibel is nice too. Destin has plenty of shopping and beautiful beaches. Also, there are lots of activities for kids.
Last week of May is not spring break. However, anywhere you go that time of year will be fairly crowded.
Don't stress the decision too much, you will be getting pretty much the same thing wherever you go on the Gulf Coast - very pretty beaches and a relaxing trip.

Perdido Key, FL is by far the best beach on the Gulf coast. Unfortunately, it has still not recovered from the damaged reeked upon it by Hurricane Ivan.

With regards to Destin, if you don't mind crowds and waiting in line (traffic and restaurant wise), that's what you will find. East of Destin are some lovely, not so crowded places along Highway 30A, such as Seaside, Seagrove, Seacrest, and lovely Rosemary Beach. You might want to check those places out.

Hi annaellieb
I am not an expert on Florida but have been many times.

We have stayed in the Forida Panhandle all the way from Pensacola to Panama City. The beaches are all white sand and clear water. Pensacola was hit by hurricanes and don't know where their recovery is at. Panama City has a red-neck reputation. The many beaches in-between, Fort Walton, Navarre, Destin are also lovely with Destin probably having the most to do for families in off beach activities. However, going futher down the coast, we love St Pete Beach. See: http://www.loewshotels.com/hotels/st...source=adwords It is pretty expensive but there are more cost consious hotels, condo's available. We stayed in a condo right up from there in Treasure Island called the Island Inn that was very reasonable. 1-800-241-9980 except there was not alot for an 8yr old to do.

(PS.Sand Key has very wide beaches. I think a long way to walk to the water's edge, but then I'm old)

We have not stayed in Siesta Key but have driven there and visited the beach. Again, white sand and clear water. Sarasota has much to offer anyone of any age. For rental, I would just recommend a place on the beach.

Anywhere you choose along the coast you can drive to Disney World in Orlando if interested and have the time. From Siesta Key it is about 130 miles.

As you can tell, we love the ocean. This December we will be in Indian Rocks which is between Clearwater (Sand Key) and Sarasota.

Let's orient you a bit

Miami is a fairly good location to land but it's on the Atlantic coast and you drive across the state to the Gulf coast but lots of things to see on the way --ie airboat rides, alligators.
Tampa is a great place to land for Siesta Key/Sarasota area and St pete Beach ,Treasure Island
Destin is a fabulous Beach but no good international airports

Type in the search box for Siesta Key and St Pete Beach and you will get some excellent info.
The Keys and Key West from Miami are also managable but KW has no real beaches although Bahia Hondo is reportedly a great beach
If you don't care about the airport situation then Grayton Bch near Seaside and rent a house would be my choice.
Last week of May would be a good time throughout FL

The last week of May is when we usually go to Destin and we love it. It is before the huge crowds-still busy but tolerable-and before the unbelievable heat. Still hot but not as unbearable as late June or July. We have kids from babies to 13 with us and there is something for everyone.

Sanibel/Captiva. Prettiest beaches in FL (in my opinon, and I live here). lots of really good restaurants, art galleries, boutiques, and unique gift shops, and the wildlife is protected and abundant. It's a very low-key area with plenty of building and signage restrictions to keep it from looking like the main drag on Daytona Beach (NOT lined with T-shirt shops, ice cream parlors, and tacky souvenir stores...and no fast-food or chain restaurants allowed). The islands also boast some of the best shelling beaches in the world.

Could someone please explain what you mean by Redneck reputation - in relation to Destin?

How long would it take us to drive to Destin area from Orlando?
Could we do it as part of a fly drive?

I understand it would be busy but we quite like 'busy'.
As much as we love the beach we really need other things to do so Destin area looks good as does Clearwater/St.Petes. We live by the beach in Wales (don't have the weather though) so we want other things out of our holiday.
Done Disney, so not all that interested in doing it again.
What about Fort Myers - anything to do here?

Thanx for all your help

Anna

I'm partial to the Destin area myslef. Try this link...I found some info. (especially the driving distance page) about different areas. If you go down to the Tampa/S. Pete area you can hit Busch Gardens Tampa Bay for a day.

Orlando is about a 7 hour drive.

VPS (Ft Walton Beach) is the nearest airport. You actually land at Eglin Base.

We love Destin and the surroudning area. Have been going for over 20 years and plan on moving to the area someday.

I'm taking a guess on the "redneck" reference. It typically means lower class, i.e., not country club types, just regular folks looking to have a nice vacation. That would be my guess. Those of us who like to have dinner at a few national chains, like to go to amusement parks, etc, you get the picture.

We've stayed at the Sea Spray Condos in Ft. Walton Beach for many years. The price is right, the beach is on the propery, they have a large pool and everything east of them is government so you can walk for miles, climb dunes and almost be alone. Destin is only about 7 miles east and Ft Walton a mile to the west.

http://www.seaspraycondos.com/

You don't give the ages in the family but if there are young kids, the bay is right across the highway and it's still, knee deep shallow and our kids loved looking for hermit crabs.

www.sandestin.com

www.seasidefl.com

Been there,
I hope you didn't mean you actually climb ON the sand dunes. That is a major "no no." The dunes are strictly protected and climbing on them is absolutely forbidden. They are protected for their beauty but more importantly for the provide protection against flooding and erosion. Any time someone climbs on them, they are reduced and the vegetation is disturbed. Eventually, they are completely flatten leaving the coast more vulnerable to flooding and erosion.

Please, if anyone is tempted to climb on sand dunes, refrain! It also carries a fine in many places.

Well Sherrie, it looks like my family may become'honorary rednecks' because you summed up our holiday.
NO dressing for dinner, NO pretentious people, NO one-upmanship, just plain good fun.
In fact I wear a suit all day for work and want to kick back and unwind with my husband and 8 yr old daughter.
If being a redneck means going to amusement parks and eating the occasional Maccie D's (our name for McDonalds) then the Destin area looks like my kind of place.
There are so many beaches along the coast - where is the best place to stay bearing mind I do not want solitude but a bit of life for my daughter.
Now I just have to work out how we get there from North Wales (oh, and persuade my husband as he wants to go to Mexico)
Thanx once again !!

I have lived all over Florida for most of my life. I'd choose the following, in this order, based on beauty and things to do. However, as someone else pointed out, you may want to choose based on airport.

1. Seaside / Seagrove / Grayton Beach (try www.oneseagroveplace.com for reasonable accomodations, or rent a house in Grayton for charm.) -- laid back and casual but plenty to do and lots of charm all around

2. Destin -- most beautiful beaches by far and plenty to do, but be prepared for VERY busy (think traffic)

3. Captiva Island -- can be a little boring if you are not "nature" people. (No amusement parks here, but plenty to do in terms of renting a bike or canoe, etc.)

Have fun!