I am looking for a beach vacation on the east coast. I was thinking maybe Florida? Not really sure where to begin looking.

I would like to stay in a relatively small, not too pricey hotel, where I could walk to various bars and restaurants. Don't want anything very touristy. Just good places to watch the sunset and maybe fish a little. Don't care about clubs or big flashy places. Thanks!

I live in Fort Lauderdale...don't come here but consider somewhere like Sanibel or Captiva over on the Gulf Coast. The only problem is the walking to various bars and restuarants and if you won't have transportation then skip the idea. However, it is beautiful and the sunsets are absolute breathtaking. It is quiet, too.

Litchfield Beach and Golf Resort. Maybe Wild Dunes outside of Charleston.

It would help if you could define what "not too pricey" means to you in terms of an actual dollar range.

Places on the Gulf Coast of Florida will give you great sunset views so I second Dukey's suggestions of Captiva and Sanibel.

Anywhere on the Atlantic Coast sunset views will be over bays or marsh land not over the Atlantic beaches so factor that into your planning.

Wild Dunes is a great resort but may not meet your definition of "not too pricey". Instead look at places on Isle of Palms or Sullivan's Island - they are in the same general area as Wild Dunes but a bit lower priced. Also check out places on Pawley's Island, SC.

It would help to know when you will be traveling and your specific $ budget per night.

"Not too pricey" can mean almost anything! (On the europe board someone was just asking for a room in Amsterdam for $35 per night about 1/3 of what even a basic room will cost unless they want to couchsurf.)

And are you going to have a car to get there and to get around, or you want to plant yourself at the hotel and walk everywhere?

I guess I was thinking around $150/night. And I'd like most things within walking distance, since we will more than likely fly in.
Traveling mid July. Kind of a last minute thing.
Thanks a ton for the responses so far.

I can't think of a place on the Carolina coast that you wouldn't want a car for one reason or another.

Look at the Oceanfront Inn or the Lotus, both in Ormond Beach Fl. Or South Beach Place in Vero Beach which is quite a bargain with bbq grills, bikes etc and just a short walk to the beach. There are a couple of good Italian restaurants, a French restaurant, a pizzeria and a piano bar within a few blocks. Also the units have a kitchen. Rates are under $100 per night so you could also afford a rental car.

When I read your title, I had several "low-key" suggestions in mind. But then you wrote that you want to be able to walk to various bars and restaurants. If you want bars and restaurants in walking distance, you're going to have to be in a busy beach location.

The Vero Beach and Melbourne Beach areas would probably fit your bill. Prices will be low in the summer, and the crowds will be down. Great fishing at the Sebastian Inlet, between the two areas.