I have stayed at a condo on Siesta Key for 9 or 10 days. It is "Our House at the Beach" located right across the street from the Siesta Key public beach. They are two bedroom townhouses with garages and price is reasonable after May 1. You can rent from condo association or check out VRBO.com.

As a native, I prefer the gulf side. Like another poster mentioned, July will be quite hot and humid...no way would I do the hiking. Fort Walton/Destin is also very crowded during that time. Perdido is also in the panhandle and is just as nice and much calmer. Plenty of entertainment also.

If you want the Bay area, I would also suggest the beaches from Bradenton down to Casey Key. They are beautiful!

Hi....I am from NY and we love going to the ocean side....the Keys are beautiful....you might want to fly in to Miami....spend a few night....your kids will love you for it....and rent a car and drive down to the Keys.....it is cooler there.....and there is lots to do....good luck!

One good thing about Siesta Key/Venice area - if you'll have a car, it is very easy to drive all along any of those areas for a day trip. I have been staying on Siesta Key for the past 3 years in early August and not only is the temp very hot, the ocean is very very warm - to the point of NOT being refreshing. I still loved every minute of my beach vacation, but I was disappointed with the water temp. Beaches there are some of the best in FL, with soft white sand that does not get hot.

I grew up on the Gulf Side of Florida, and I much prefer the Atlantic beaches. During the summer months the Gulf waters get way too warm so they aren't as refreshing to cool off. There is sometimes the threat of red tide too. But I agree, the powdery white sand is much nicer. If you want to snorkel, there isn't much too see underwater in the Gulf. All the reefs and sea life are in the Southeastern tip of Florida and the Keys. I'd head south to South Beach or Fort Lauderdale for a day or so then head down to the Keys to snorkel, for 20 year old guys it would be a much hipper trip.

I prefer the Atlantic side. If you like wave, you'll find bigger ones around the Daytona area than you will in South Florida, such as Miami. The Bahamas, the closest of which (Bimini) is just 42 miles from Miami, tends to somewhat flatten out the waves coming across, depending on the weather in the area. If you like waves, they are more consistent and reliable further north of South Florida.

Snorkeling...definitely the keys. Key Largo is fairly close to Miami and in the heart of the national (underwater) park there. Excellent scuba diving there, as well, and it's shallow - between 20 and 30 feet in the deep spots.

For a real Florida feel, Vero Beach on the Atlantic side is wonderful. It's absolutely beautiful with quiet beaches. Sebastian Inlet which is just to the north is the most popular surfing location in Florida. There are many gated communities that rent out their units in off-season. You can get some beautiful areas, particularly tennis or golf communities. You can check out www.seaoaks803.blogspot.com for one I know is a good one.

Sorry, missed 2 letters in the email address from the last post. It is www.seaoakstv803.blogspot.com

ttt

Hello! I am around the same age as your sons and I always love to go to Destin in the gulf of florida. Nice waves, not huge, but there are always a few surfers and a lot of skim boarders. There are a lot of people but its never over crowded, its a great place to relax. Sand is white as snow. It is right near Seaside beach, where the movie "The Truman Show" with Jim Carry was filmed. Destin is a great place for a family trip, not near Orlando though, its farther north. definitely look into it! Good luck!

Try Seaside, not nearly as crowded as Destin. Very quaint little village setting. Not far from Destin. Beautiful beaches!!

Went to Pensacola Beach in Oct and it was fabulous!! the beaches along the gulf or so much nicer then the coast, have been to both several times and choose the gulf over the other. Have fun!!