Florida beach vacation
 

Hi all.

My husband and I are looking to go to Florida on a 5 night vacation to the beach in mid April. We will be taking our one year old daughter! So we are looking for a family friendly, low key, fun beach town. Hoping for the weather to be in the low 80s. We want to stay directly on the beach but don't want to break the bank doing so. (Max $225/night) Wherever we stay we would like there to be a pool. We won't be renting a car so dining within walking distance would be ideal. I'd like to be on the gulf side but my husband is impartial. Any suggestions would be helpful!

Thanks!

And you prefer the Gulf side why?

As a follow-on: not saying you shouldn't but rather wondering why you do and as a result of the aspects you like it could be easier to recommend specific places.

The average April temperature in April from Sarasota all the way down to Sanibel is in the low 80's. Over here where I live in South Florida it is the same. There were people in the ocean in front of my house here in Fort Lauderdale yesterday and the high temp was only 79.

What do you consider to be "family friendly?"

I've heard the Gulf side has warmer, clearer waters with whiter, softer beaches. Thought it would be nicer for my daughter.

Family friendly meaning more families rather than college kids on spring break.

Unless you go to a resort and don't plan to leave the property, I think being without a car in Florida with a baby is going to be [very] difficult.

Maybe St Armand's Circle off Sarasota or Miami Beach or some other urban area on the East Coast would be within walking distance of both the water and a CVS or Eckerds

Thank you, Boursare for that clarification and I hope it all works out for you.

I was trying to think of a place that meets all your criteria and doesn't require a car. I'm coming up empty.

What you say about the west coast beaches is essentially true, but the surf on the east coast is fairly calm most days, and, considering the mobility of a 1-year-old, I think you'd be OK there. But I'm not trying to talk you into anything.

One place that comes to mind on the east coast is Vero Beach. Has some ocean-front resorts, walk-able shopping, not a student destination. Still, I think I'd want a car

Again, how are you going to get to that beach without a car??????????????

You need a car, no matter which coast you choose. The Ritz in Sarasota will shuttle you to and from the beach and St. Armand's Circle, but depending on that with a one year old in tow would not be my choice.

There's nothing wrong with the east coast for little kids, but I agree that the gulf side is better.

Check out the Alden Beach Resort--though I'm not sure it has a pool. It probably does. It's right on the beach, and you can walk to dining--along a pretty busy road, and you'll find just a few options within reasonable walking distance, but you could Uber if it came to that.

Sanibel Island could be a nice destination. One year old may be a bit young to pick up shells, but there will be plenty there and you may enjoy it. On average, the gulf side has calmer water and gets deeper gradually.

In agree with the Sanibel choice but I don't think a one-year-old should be in ANY water unsupervised regardless of how shallow it might be.

Be aware that the beaches on Sanibel and Captiva are really quite nice and despite the many shells there are plenty of areas with sand.

St. Pete Beach would be ideal for you. With a 1 year old you definitely want the gulf coast as your child can play in the water without being battered by waves. There are many hotels in SPB that meet your criterion. We like the Sirata Beach resort and should be in your price range. It has 3 pools, 2 beach bars/grills, and a restaurant. There are many restaurants within walking distance including one of our favorites, Crabby Bills. Right next door is the Grand Plaza resort which is smaller, quieter, and a little more upscale. On the roof of the Grand Plaza is a true hidden gem called the Level 11 rooftop lounge.

Not on the Gulf side, but you could easily stay in Sunny Isles without a car. The walking isn't very pleasant as the main boulevard is huge but there are so many restaurants and grocery stores within walking distance (3-15 min). There were also a few great public playgrounds (with canopies for shade) if your daughter is mobile. We stayed at a condo with a decent oceanview and across the street from the beach. My 3 yo and 1 yo spent time at both the condo pool and we also walked across the boulevard where they played on a nice, sandy beach and also in the surf. (maybe we got lucky but it wasn't rough at all)

Here's the unit I stayed at although I'm sure there are many others in the area. It's usually less than $200/night and there's a Walgreens right on the corner and an organic restaurant just minutes away from the condo.

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/4828619

We also had a great time at this Miami Beach condo because the pool was perfect for our (then) 1.5 yo. There's no view from the unit (except of the street and stores) but the pool is just wonderful for little kids, steps to the beach, nice coastal walking trails (where you can push a stroller) and the boulevard isn't wide along this stretch so it's not unpleasant to walk to the many restaurants and near by grocery store. We brought a newborn and toddler here and it was so easy to navigate the stroller everywhere. We walked to an area in the evening with great food trucks and live music. This might be over your budget although some dates are under $200. (also, my toddler was playing in the surf here but again, perhaps we were lucky)

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/4615992

gmoney, Grabyer Pills, really?? They're kinda famous for not-fresh seafood...

No Newbie that's not been my experience at all. It is what most visitors to Florida are looking for. Decent, casual, no frills seafood at a reasonable price located right on the beach with amazing views. Fine dining it is not.

Fine dining's not the issue at all. Maybe the locations differ. The one nearest me is sort of infamously bad.

Lauderdale By The Sea. Not on the gulf side, but you won't need a car. You can walk to everything - grocery store, drug store, liquor store, restaurants, and some shops. We go once or twice a year for short getaways and never get a car. Step off the plane and into a taxi. Ask the taxi driver to take A1A route.

http://www.lbts.com/

We stay at the High Noon. Ridiculously clean and well manicured with a lot of outside space with shade.

http://www.highnoonresort.com/

They have another property called "Sea Foam" - same website as above with a pool. You can use both pools.