Hi,
We are looking for a locatiton to stay for 2 weeks to a month on Florida's West Coast that is not overly built up and has nice beaches and natural areas to explore. We love Sanibel but it is pretty costly. Also, have enjoyed the Keys but are looking for something different. Any recommendations? We have not been to the Venice or Tampa areas or north of Tampa...would consider the Panhandle...but like to go in Feb. and really like to use the pool as much as possilbe. My husband enjoys fishing and hiking and is easily bored by crowded beaches and areas that are too built up. Do you know that special place where we can get away from it all?
Thanks for any advice you can offer.

You could check out Cedar Key. Or Little Gasparilla Island.

You might also want to check out Captiva.

If your husband loves fishing, he will like Cedar Key.

You could go south to Everglades City. It's not built up at all, fishing galore, some good hiking, and it's very quiet. We almost stayed at Glades Haven, their website is http://www.gladeshaven.com/ They are little cottages with boat dockage if you need it. February would be a beautiful time of year there.

Check out Cape San Blas near Port St. Joe, FL. It is on a bayside peninsula that is uncrowded with little development. A couple there owns a property called Old Salt Works on the bay with rustic cabins. Its got beaches, kayaks, fishing, hiking and lots of natural beauty.

Sssshhhhh!!!!! Don't tell everybody!!!

Just got back this week. My favorite part of Florida. It's a taste of the "old Florida". And, the Indian Pass Raw Bar offers the best seafood anywhere. Dr. Beach listed the SP beach the #1 beach in the country a few years ago. Look at vrbo.com for rental options.

Cape San Blas is perfect for everything you want EXCEPT one. You will not swim in February - pool or gulf. Unless, of course, you are Canadian. A few of those hardy souls manage to swim year round but how they do it is beyond me!!!

On the plus side, you can rent a fabulous place for next to nothing during the winter months. For example:

http://tinyurl.com/ywlnu7

You can stay here for a month for what a week costs in the summer.

There are plenty of bargins to be found on the Cape in winter.

http://www.pristinepropertiesllc.com/

The average temp in Feb is 54 and the average high in Feb. is 64.

You are also fairly close to St Marks Wildlife Preserve. Would make a great day trip.
http://www.fws.gov/saintmarks/

http://www.wakullacounty.org/wakulla-9.htm

Another possibility would be St George Island. Here is a link to the State Park:
http://www.floridastateparks.org/stgeorgeisland/

It is quite possible - likely, in fact, that there will be days when you are the only people on the beach. The trade off is colder weather than you will have in south FL.

starrsville, I may be missing something, but what area are you referring to?

The poster above me.

I'm referring to LauraATL's post.
The Cape San Blas/ Indian Pass area.
Missed you SSS. Good food at the Raw Bar but went on Saturday and the live music was waaayyy to loud for that little place!

Boca Grande. Still beautiful and natural.

Starrsville, OK, I wondered if that's what you meant, but you said something about the "SP beach" and I couldn't figure out how that was related to Cape San Blas or Port St. Joe.

Sorry. SP = State Park
http://www.floridastateparks.org/stjoseph/