Help me Please! I haven't been to Florida in 20 years and I am getting so many different options as to where we should go. We were told to go to Destin, Sanibel Island, Naples, Marco Island, Siesta keys, Sarasota & Venice. We like to walk on the beach and visit quaint shops. I am leaning towards Siesta Keys but we do not like crowds. I don't care if it is cooler since we are from the midwest. We will be going the first or second week of December and would like to stay on the water. I have heard the J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island is great. Anyone know anything about this. We love to hike and canoe also but we want a place where there are many restaurants. We don't want to be too stranded. Any help would be appreciated!

Only one Siesta Key.

You won't get HUGE crowds because December's just not all that warm and beachy - it's a bit early in the season. Good for walking unless you get a cold rain, though. The advantage to Siesta is that you have access to three beaches (Turtle, Crescent, and the public beach) AND the resources of the commercial area - restaurants, shops, etc., plus you can drive around to Lido (and my favorite walking place, South Lido http://www.beachhunter.net/lido.htm ) Beach via St. Armands, which is Sarasota's Rodeo Drive but with some affordable cafes. However, although I haven't been to Sanibel, I really have the sense it's more pure-beach friendly, but perhaps with less to do otherwise.

If you want to stay on the water, you might look into the condos/hotels out Ben Franklin Drive on South Lido.

We did Marco in December and thought it was lovely. Naples was nearby and we did visit and eat there a couple of times. There was plenty to do on Marco and shopping was nearby and nice. We stayed at the Marco Island Beach resort. (nice room and view) Sanibel is great for the outdoors - I think it might be a good choice for you. I think it is a great time to go and being from a cooler climate you will think the weather is wonderful. We have done the Keys this time of year (Key West and Marathon) and thought both were great - we did lots of fishing out of Marathon and had a blast. Have a great time!

Thank you everyone! I think we will go to Siesta Keys and check out South Lido. Maybe if we have time we will go to Sanibel for a few days.

patti, we were at Siesta Keys at peak season and it was very crowded but I think the above poster is right on that when you plan on visiting it will not be. Also, if I remember correctly, Sanibel beaches are not as nice. The sand is not as white and soft.

It is Siesta Key, not Siesta Keys. It will not be crowded the first week in December. Our house is in Bradenton Beach (Anna Maria Island) which is more laid back than any of the above. You can walk the beach or ride a bike along the beach. Bradenton Beach also has a relatively new path that goes from 4th street south to the Longboat Key Bridge. We have quiant shops on Bridge street or you can go to the end of Anna Maria. There is a free trolley. Also Anna Maria does not permit high rises. The maximum height is three stories.

Sannibel is much too pristine for my tastes as well as Destin.

Thanks everyone! I have heard wonderful things about Anna Maria Island also. Siesta Key sounds lovely, maybe we will go there.