Help us find a crowded beach anywhere in Florida in Mid-September
 

Sorry - moving to Florida page.
DH and I would like to spend a week in Florida in mid-September. We'd like to stay in a condo or a hotel, but would like to be oceanfront. We'll have a car but would like to walk to restaurants, attractions, etc. if possible. We don't mind driving a distance from the airport (will be flying from Cleveland) but our main preference is a crowded beach. We are not stylish/trendy enough for South Beach, and are leaning towards beaches further north. Siesta Key seems to be a preference here. Budget = 1200 for accomodations. We are willing to go later in the year - before Decemember if the beaches will be more crowded. Please suggest possible locations. Thanks for your time.

Crowded beach? Funny, most people are looking to avoid the crowds. The best place to go for crowds is South Beach. I think you're overly concerned about being stylish and trendy. Believe me, not everyone there is chic and trendy. $1200 for how long? How old are you?

Fyi, Sept. is still hurricane season and kids go back to school, so you won't find crowds except in South Beach which now attracts a lot of foreigners.

As to Siesta Key, I've never been but have noted that area has had problems with red tide on and off.

Mclaurie, would we be better off waiting later in the year - perhaps November?
We are 28 and 35 - 1200 for the week, possibly 6 or 7 nights. I assume it would have to be more for South Beach?

Well you have a trade off. Prices will be much cheaper in Sept. than in Nov. since Sept. is still considered out of season. You can find either apts. or hotels for $1200 for a week at that time. When you say oceanfront, some of the smaller hotels in South Beach are across from the beach. Is that ok or do you want a big resort ON the ocean? Do you have a preference for an apt. vs a hotel?

One hotel that would fit your budget that's across from the beach in a very central spot is the Park Central.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...h_Florida.html

You don't need to by stylish or trendy to enjoy South Beach. Their only requirement is cash.