I've only been to a few day trips that far north on the Atlantic side - I remember the sand being a lot rockier/coarser compared to the Gulf side or south FL.
I'd probably look for a house where I really liked the pool if that's the route you want to go, LOL.
Post by DarcyLongfellow on Mar 10, 2015 19:45:14 GMT -5
I live there (well, north of where you're looking), and I love it :-) The beaches are less picturesque than gulf beaches, but they're definitely swimmable. They have much better waves, not that you'll care about that with a 2 year old. And St. Augustine is an awesome place to visit -- very different from the rest of Florida.
I've never been to Palm Coast, but I know my moms group at church does retreats at Hammock Beach which is there, and it's supposed to be absolutely amazing. I think there are a few restaurants, but there won't be amazing shopping or restaurants.
If you're still looking around Amelia Island is also awesome. I got married there, and it's just beautiful. Lots of condos to rent and a couple big resort-y hotels (the Ritz and Amelia Island Plantation). It's also very close to JAX.
ETA: Or do as @this suggested and do St. Augustine or Ponte Vedra because then you'd be practically in my back yard and we could do a GTG and convince this to join in too :-)
I actually was in St Augustine Beach for an evening about 4 years ago after work (in Jacksonville). It was quite nice but I think I was a bit drunk so I can't remember. Did not get to see the city.
They are right that it's a kid friendly destination. Too bad the beaches aren't that pretty. There are a lot of olds in the area so you'd have your pick of restaurants after 6 pm.
They are right that it's a kid friendly destination. Too bad the beaches aren't that pretty. There are a lot of olds in the area so you'd have your pick of restaurants after 6 pm.
I'm not trying pick a FL war, but you're going to bring up St. Augustine olds (which is legit) but then recommend VERO BEACH?
Hey I'm a committed Panhandler here. If you MUST go to the East side, at least go with a pretty beach. Plus it's 90 minutes from Disney.
Post by spankswife on Mar 10, 2015 20:13:10 GMT -5
I live on the (south) east coast of FL. Our beaches are great. I highly recommend Delray Beach (beach/dowbtiwn area). Great beaches, shops, restaurants. Love it!
I live on the (south) east coast of FL. Our beaches are great. I highly recommend Delray Beach (beach/dowbtiwn area). Great beaches, shops, restaurants. Love it!
I live on the (south) east coast of FL. Our beaches are great. I highly recommend Delray Beach (beach/dowbtiwn area). Great beaches, shops, restaurants. Love it!
that would be about as far as I am willing to drive (since we are flying into / out of MCO). I set a 3 hour limit which eliminated Sanibel, Naples, and some of the other West Coast destinations I would consider.
Do you have to fly there? Where are you flying from?
I actually was in St Augustine Beach for an evening about 4 years ago after work (in Jacksonville). It was quite nice but I think I was a bit drunk so I can't remember. Did not get to see the city.
This is exactly why I didn't really elaborate about Amelia Island. I was either drunk/hung over or at the spa.
Post by rupertpenny on Mar 10, 2015 20:51:44 GMT -5
East coast vs west coast FL is also a fight in my house. I'm an East Coast person. The west coast beach towns just don't have quite the same tacky, semi-sketchy charm of the east coast.
East coast vs west coast FL is also a fight in my house. I'm an East Coast person. The west coast beach towns just don't have quite the same tacky, semi-sketchy charm of the east coast.
East coast vs west coast FL is also a fight in my house. I'm an East Coast person. The west coast beach towns just don't have quite the same tacky, semi-sketchy charm of the east coast.
PCB begs to differ.
I have actually never been to PCB, so this could be true. Is it as bad as Daytona?
Post by carolinagirl831 on Mar 10, 2015 21:11:53 GMT -5
We go to vero beach every year and love it. It is very low key, has a great ocean front drive with local shops and restaurants. No high rise hotels, but some fun botique ones. Downside is water in Atlantic side is no where near the nice clear water of the gulf
We have friends in Fernandina Beach, so we've visited there several times and really loved it! We went over to the Amelia Island side and liked it there, too.
Post by ginkgoleaf on Mar 10, 2015 21:21:48 GMT -5
Almost all my extended family lives in the Daytona/Ormond/Port Orange area. This thread is making me lol. But yeah, there's not much to do there unless you're into cheap motels and Nascar.
You all are making me feel nostalgic for St. Augustine. That's where I'd go. The first rental posted looks close enough to it and is right on the beach. Sold!
Another vote for St.Augustine. I really like vilano beach. We rented a beach house there for DDs baptism and it was a blast. They are really starting to bring in shops and restaurants and downtown St Aug is really close. Its also a pretty drive to ponte Vedra/jax beach. I also really like Neptune Beach but its not super close to downtown st Aug.
I had a work trip to a resort on Amelia Island and it was pretty nice.
DD and I tagged along on DH's work conference to Amelia Island (Ritz Carlton resort) last Fall and it was really nice. Pool was great, the beach was nice and the resort was fairly kid friendly. We went into town for dinner a few times and had planned on going to Fernandina Beach and other nearby areas but ran out of time. I'd definitely go again!