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-   -   Orlando plus beach? (https://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/orlando-plus-beach-1663785/)

ckopd Feb 16th, 2019 06:59 PM
Orlando plus beach?
 
We’re looking to do a split vacation where we spend some time near parks such as bush gardens or Disney but then drive to a west coast beach. Any suggestions on which west coast beach is close and how long of a drive? Thanks in advance! Also, any worries about red tide in May??

schmerl Feb 17th, 2019 04:02 AM
If you are at Busch Gardens you will be on the west coast of Florida. Clearwater Beach would probably be the closest beach to Busch Gardens.
I don't know if anyone can predict the red tide. Right now it's pretty clear.

schmerl Feb 17th, 2019 04:03 AM
You can check for Red Tide here: https://myfwc.com/research/redtide/statewide/

ckopd Feb 17th, 2019 04:42 AM
Seems like I can get to sanibel in 2.5 hours from ramps based on a website I used. We’ve been there before and know we loved it....is it worth it to drove that far? Is the Clearwater area similar or are there any other suggestions you have for a great beach resort?

whitehall Feb 17th, 2019 05:39 AM
Clearwater Beach is crowded and over-developed and full of traffic in a relatively small area. Nothing like Sanibel.

ckopd Feb 18th, 2019 04:48 AM
Thanks, that's what I was wondering. Same for St. Pete Beach?

whitehall Feb 18th, 2019 09:39 AM
Originally Posted by ckopd (Post 16875298)
Thanks, that's what I was wondering. Same for St. Pete Beach?
We love St. Pete, the city, but St. Pete Beach is also not like Sanibel. A little like Clearwater Beach without as much traffic. A lot of concrete.

Gretchen Feb 19th, 2019 02:47 AM
Our kids just went to Orlando for a meeting and then went to Melbourne for the beach.

gmoney Feb 20th, 2019 06:50 AM
If you are at Orlando parks then west coast beaches are about and hour and a half away. My favorites are St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island, and Anna Maria island. Never had traffic issues at any of them. SPB and TI have lots of restaurants/bars/music that you can walk to. AMI is a little less busy and spread out so you need to take the free shuttle bus to most places.


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