Planning a family get-away for FL for March '09 and would love some input distinguishing pros and cons of few areas we're considering. Our criteria are: direct flight from Boston + 1hr max drive; Good chance for warm temps (75+); Detached single family house rental on the beach (budget is flexible); Casual, low-rise atmopshere -- we don't need a party atmosphere (with a baby and a 3 year-old!) and would hope to not end up with noisy neighbors (though of course you can't control that).

I'm considering St. Augustine / South Ponte Vedre, but is it too risky for cool temps in March?

Siesta Key, but is it crowded/high-risey?

Fort Myers Beach (mid-beach) but is traffic insane getting there?

Any input will be most welcome!

Search for Direct Airlines. They are offering direct flights from Worcester to Punta Gorda (Small airport near Port Charlotte). ITs about a 40 minute drive to Fort Myers there or a hour drive to Siesta Key.

http://www.visitdirectair.com/

I got my flight for X-Mas for $180. I would look on vbro.com for a house. That is high season so you may need to book asap. Look at Naples as well. The further south you go, the warmer it is going to be. March may still be cool in Florida but will be much better than New England.

I think you will want to be south of Orlando.

Even though the air temps will be above 75 during your time period, if the ocean water is below that it will feel colder than 75 especially if you are on the beach.

I'd look at Naples and Fort Lauderdale on www.VRBO.com

Sorry about the typo in my post, been a long couple of days with layoffs at work.

I agree you want to be as far south as possible. And I think Ft Myers Beach may be what you're looking for. But that time of year, I think you're going to deal with some amount of Spring Break atmosphere.

I agree that you need to be pretty far south to get those temperatures for sure.

While there are some good suggestions of where, the "single family detached house on the beach" is REALLY difficult in most of south Florida. There are only a couple of those left on Ft. Myers Beach -- although there are a couple small complexes of individual cottages on the beach or beach side. Single family home on the beach in Naples? You're kidding me!

But look at Bonita Beach -- one of the few really SW areas where you can get such a thing. I've seen a number of VRBO.com.

Last think I knew there were a number of those on Anna Marie Island too, but you're risking a few degrees colder.

Avg temps in March in east central Florida coast are in the upper 70s - not to say that it couldn't be colder, but that's the avg. If Orlando Vic sees this, he can give you specific info on St. Augustine.

I think 321 go and the others are right about the temperatures being better in South Florida than in St. Augustine & Ponte Vedra in March. You could still have some days hitting 75 degrees, but it is not a sure thing. Ocean water temperatures? All I can say is that it would be too cold for Floridians. If you are coming from the NE or Canada, it might be O.K.

Having said all this, I think St. Augustine has a lot to offer - nice beaches (My favorite is Crescent Beach), art galleries, good and reasonable restaurants, shopping (2 outlet malls) and, of course, all that history from being America's oldest city.

St. Augustine/Ponte Vedra would be well within a 1-hour drive from Jacksonville (JAX) airport.

Another place to consider is Anna Maria Island - it's on the west coast about 45 minutes from the Tampa airport. It's low-rise and very low key. There are real estate agents on the island who handle house rentals - I'll call friends who rent theirs and see who they use. Do remember that March is high season for us, so you will need to get going as soon as possible.

I'd agree with NeoPatrick and Bellhouse as to Anna Maria Island. It's a delightful island and in March the weather is usually wonderful. It's very casual and quite family-oriented.

You can also find some homes on Longboat Key and Siesta Key that are on the gulf - prices would probably be skyrocketing!

Another vote for Anna Maria Island.

Mike Norman is one real estate/rental agent, Island REalty is another. There are lots more - but the first is the one my friends use to list and the other I used once when friends were visiting.