Going to Orlando mid April with husband and daughter. We would love to get to a beach for a day while there. Thinking east coast as it seems it would be a shorter drive from Orlando than going to the west coast. Can anyone recommend a good beach...Cocoa Beach, Playalinda???...any suggestions. How's the parking, etc.

Thanks!!

Gulf and East coast beaches are very different. Sand is whiter and finer on the gulf, a bit grittier and greyer on the east coast. Personally, I like the water ont he gulf better too. But be aware that whereever you go, believe it or not April can be tricky on the coasts. We have gone to beaches south of Clearwater (Sand key area and a bit south) 4 times after Orlando in April. Twice it was great, sunny warm. But two times it was windy, cold sand blowing and feeling like nails on your skin, and not good beach weather. We haven't gone back to the beach in April since the last time it was like that. If you hit it at a good weather period, it can be very nice.

I forgot to add- I like Smyrna beach on the east coast. Less crowded than some others, more homey.

I recommend going to the Clearwater/St. Pete area which is West (Gulf)Coast. You can be there from Orlando in 60-90 minutes. Sand is nicer, surf is friendlier, water and air temp. is warmer. May be more crowded.

The reason to go to the East Coast is to tour the Space Center which is cool in it's own right.

Thanks for your input. Still undecided about which coast; I think travel time is what concerns me especially where we just want to do a day trip. We have gone to the Space Center in the past; loved it, but looking for a beach day. Is the drive time say from Orlando to St. Pete area just the same to Cocoa Beach??
Again, thanks for your help!!

Orlando to Clearwater or St. Pete beach is a good two hour drive.I prefer the beaches on the west coast. But , it would take half the time to get to the east coast beaches.

BTW- April can be iffy re weather on the gulf coast beaches. I like Sand Key (below Clearwater), there is a sheraton resort there on the beach that is reasonable and nice; also a Raddison but it has a walkway over the road to the beach and is not right on the beach. I like it better than clearwater as Clearwater is congested. I've been there 4 times after Orlando in April but twice it was cold, windy on the beach in mid-April, sand stinging when it hit our legs, etc. But when it is nice it is very nice.

If it's a day trip then weather reports should alert you if it's windy or cold. Pick a good day. I-4 from Orlando to Tampa is a bear, just awful. I don't think it's worth the extra time to drive to the Gulf coast -- the beaches are beautiful on both coasts. I'd head to Cocoa Beach or Melbourne.