Planning to take a March break trip to the gulf coast with my family and the St Petes area has been recommended to us...we've been to Disney before and are not planning to go this time...looking to rent a condo...what would be the best beach area to go to?? I was browsing a a map and there are so many beaches...Indian Shores has been recommended...are there any others(that you would recommend)...its like looking for a needle in a haystack....would like to be able to go for a walk on the beach....we might do some day trips as well as some shopping too...thanks!!

Indian Rocks is nice and low key. Nothing wrong with St Pete Beach, though I haven't been there in a good while.

You can pretty much walk on the beach anywhere in Florida, even in districts full of mansions. They are not private as they are in some other states.

Why are you staying so far north? It may not be warm enough to go in the water.

Look at flying into Ft Myers and going to the SW Florida beaches, or, for your interests, St Armand's Key off Sarasota might very well be perfectL beautiful beaches, good food, shopping and culture on the mainland in Sarasota.

Wonderful little area just South of St Pete Beach is Pass-A-Grille. My daughter was married on the beach there a few years ago. She rented a charming two bedroom house about a block from the beach. Nice beach, lots and lots of little restaurants, seafood places, candy stores, etc. Perfect for a relaxing family week.

The Artsy little town of Gulfport is an easy drive - little art shops and restaurants. On the first Friday and Third Saturday of every month they have an evening art walk with galleries being open, live music, and nice restaurants.

You could also charter a boat and go deep sea fishing, then cook your own catch later. DD and her new husband did that with friends while they were there.

Siesta Key, Sarasota. Picked as #1 beach in the country. Many condos to pick from. Many restaurants, fun nightclubs, great museums, art galleries and great shopping to chose from.

Longboat Key my fav.

Don Cesar nicest at St Pete

www.loewshotels.com/Don-CeSar-Hotel

I agree with Sassafrass check out Pass-a-Grille all the way (visitpassagrille.com) You can walk to all the restaurants, shops etc a small inn there is Coconut Inn they offer bikes to guests for free. Art vendors on the beach all weekend. Search them on tripadvisor to read reviews.

Another vote for Siesta Key, near Sarasota. Beautiful beach, many condos right on the beach, with a nice selection of restaurants and shopping. March is high season, you should book soon!