bobc

I recently got a great deal on roundtrip tickets from Cincinnati to Jacksonville,Fla.($92.00 each-with tax!!!). Now I need to build a beach vacation around them. We will be traveling the first week of June with our 2 children a boy 5 and a girl 11. Would kind of like a condo/resort with a childrens program.Also,recommendations fla. vs Georgia? We will,of course have a rental car and would like between Jacksonville and Daytona Beach,if we stay in Florida.Thanks for your help! Bob

jabill

try st simons island,ga.

steve

Amelia Island Plantation near Jacksonville has the type of accomodations you're looking for. The grounds are beautiful and there should be enough to do there to amuse the kids.

J T Kirk

Amelia Island would be nice. Wide open beaches, and (relatively) uncrowded. From Amelia, drive a short distance to Fernandina. They have a couple of cute shops and some nice restauarnts there. Also, be sure to check out Fort Clinch. The kids will love it. Or, you could stay at St Augustine. there are tons of things to do there: the Oldest Jail, the Oldest School House, the Fountain of Youth, Gatorland. Admittedly, some (if not all) of these have a real tourist feel to them, but the kids will love them. Also, some nice restaurants and shopping in St Augustine. Check out the Conch House restaurant in St Augustine. Very nice, great setting. Have fun.

Cynthia Ries

I have been going to St. Simons Is for 20 years to visit a parent. Unless you can afford the Cloister on Sea Island, the beaches may disappoint. The other less exclusive but still really great oceanside full service resort is the King and Prince on St. Simons. The island has its charms--mainly it does still feel like a village beach town, and the biking is fantastic--great safe trails, and it is homey and peaceful--cottages (shabby offerings are common) are often the rented choice. You will relax on St. Simons, and the childrens programs at those resorts are tops($$$)
HOWEVER, if you are renting a condo, go just a little south of St. Augustine and north of Daytona to Crescent Beach and for the wide beach and to avoid the commercialism, St. Augustine is a beautiful sight to tour, even past the kitchy stuff, it is a lovely city. Daytona is Myrtle Beach, and OK for a couple of hours but not relxing. Warning:They DRIVE on those FLA beaches,so constant eyes on the kids are needed, and the tides are strong--my nephew was pulled out and rescued after drifting on a boogie board for 30 minutes, but they are wide lovely beaches and many choices for renting oceanside in Fla. (very little Oceanside on St. Simons)
let me know if I can aswer any questions
also the Golden Isles of Ga are terrific for golf and scenery, truly the marshes alone are the beauty of the place.