Anna Maria Island or other Florida beaches

[NewGirlNic]

My darling mother received an unexpected inheritance from her Aunt. She wants to take us on a family vacation next year. Renting a vacation house on a beach somewhere. 

My mom sent us a couple places on Anna Maria Island (someone she works with recommended it). I know nothing about it, or anywhere in Florida really. We are open to other areas. Links to rentals would be great. There will be 6 adults, 3 kids. We'd like a place on the beach and also a pool, in an area that has some other things to do (kids will be age 9-13). Walkable would be great, but we'll rent a couple cars or a van so we can drive too.

We are thinking Feb/March/April (probably late March or April, because she wants warmer weather)

[litskispeciality]

DH and I hope to go to Clearwater FL this Oct. We've never been. Recommendations from the board, and general Google search show me it appears walkable, with plenty to do. We're hoping to fly in, Uber to and from the hotel, but not rent a car.

I haven't done AM Island, but heard wonderful things. We've stayed on Sanibel ($$$) Island and in Ft. Lauderdale, but always rented hotels. Would recommend either, although I'm not sure how renting a house would go, at least on the island.

[Pom]

My parents have a home on the coast between Sanibel/Captiva and Anna Maria Island so we have spent a ton of time in those areas. Any of those three would be my top picks.  ETA: our last trip included a birthday celebration on Islamorada (we stayed at Cheeca Lodge) and I agree, it is also lovely.

[treschic]

Love love love AMI. Perfect for a family trip. My mom took us last October and we had gone in May with friends who go quite often. Let me know if you want to know anything specific.

[treschic]

Jun 23, 2022 15:19:00 GMT -5 treschic said:

Love love love AMI. Perfect for a family trip. My mom took us last October and we had gone in May with friends who go quite often. Let me know if you want to know anything specific.

We stayed here with 5 adults and 2 kids. It was absolutely perfect. It is on the bay side but it was actually more ideal for the kids to swim in. It’s a narrow island so gulf side isn’t far at all.

www.satorealestate.com/property/sea-la-vie-am/

[maudefindlay]

We have a vacation home on Longboat Key with DH's brother and sister which is just down the road. Anna Maria is nice, we always eat at the oyster bar there. Drive into Sarasota and eat at Fish Camp.

[DarcyLongfellow]

I don't know anything about Anna Maria Island, but if I were looking for a similar vacation I'd look at Islamorada. It's in the Keys, but not as far south as Key West. There are some gorgeous rental houses there.

[sju]

March and sometimes even April can be hit or miss weather wise. If you definitely want warm weather, I recommend heading further south. The keys are a great option. 

[preppy]

I love AMI and we have gone with our kids a few times. I would stay close to Pine Street if you can, a house on Bean Point beach would be amazing. There are really cute shops on Pine St, great restaurants, great beaches. We go in April and weather is always perfect. I think Feb/March would be a weather risk. If you go there happy to give restaurant recommendations!

[mildop]

We visited AMI and thought it was super charming. The beaches were great. The place we stayed at had an amazing pool. We tend to stay at houses over hotels if we can, so we had groceries instacarted, and then we would pack a cooler and walk to the beach.

This is the place we stayed:
www.onceuponabeachami.com/rentals/coconut-lagoon

[cheeseplease]

I live in the area and you can't go wrong with Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key, Lido, Siesta or even further south to Sanibel to Naples. I never view anything in Florida as walkable but if you are in a house with a pool and the main goal is to relax you should be good.
A woman I follow on Instagram moved in from California during Covid and took over a four plex called Joie Inn. She had mentioned they are booked almost through the year so I would be planning now. March and April are spring break months as well, so you have to take that into consideration.

[cheeseplease]

Also, a lot of the beach communities are 7 day rental minimums.

[NewGirlNic]

Jun 24, 2022 8:41:29 GMT -5 cheeseplease said:

Also, a lot of the beach communities are 7 day rental minimums.

We plan on doing a week. And booking soon, because I agree... good places might already be booked. 

[Poeticxpassion]

I love Sand Key Beach, which is near Clearwater beach. I grew up going all the time. It is very walkable and has tons to do.

[pugz]

We went the last week of May last year and it was great. Technically our rental was in Bradenton Beach. Loved the area.

[Tacocat]

We stayed on AMI this year for spring break and loved it. Beaches are beautiful and all public, lots of good restaurants and everything is family friendly. We also drove down to Sarasota one day and there’s a really cool aquarium that my DD loved. We all agreed we’d go back there again if we wanted another beach vacation.

We flew in and out of Tampa but Sarasota airport is a bit closer.

[lessel]

Seaside would be an area that’s walkable. We like more low key areas like Cape San Blas and Indian Pass. Port St. Joe has a little strip of shops and restaurants.

[pugz]

definitely go to the aquarium down in Sarasota, it is so good. MANATEES!

[spindle92]

My bestie lives in Siesta Key and that place is AMAZING.

Before she bought her house, she rented a house for 2 seasons in Venice. (they have lots of week rentals too.)
While it wasn't on the beach, it was 1 block away. The pool at the house was perfect for us and we just strolled down to the beach when we wanted to.
Venice is a small but super cute little beach town but Sarasota is only about 20 minutes away for fun things to do.