What not to miss on the Gulf Coast

[MarieH]

Hi all

Wonder if any experts could give me some advice on places to go on the Gulf Coast. We are flying out on 12th May and plan on spending a couple of days in our villa in Orlando then we want to travel down the Gulf coast. We are hoping to move to Florida in the next year or so and would like to look at potential areas to live.

We are a young(ish!) couple (29 and 31) and want somewhere with a bit of nightlife, plenty of shopping, good beaches etc. Have been to Naples before and loved it but not sure we could afford to live there so we want to concentrate on areas that would be suitable.

Sarasota has been recommended to us by various people so suggestions on things to see there would be great and also any other areas that you think are worth a visit.

Also would love to do some wild dolphin/manatee spotting while we are there so suggestions welcome.

Many thanks

Marie

[Lynnes]

Clearwater probably has everything you will want.

[andrewmckay5]

Marie,
"the Sarasota, Sanibel Island and Naples book" by Chelle Koster Walton is very good. Its has loads of recommendations for each area of the Gulf. I got my copy from Amazon.
I do have the Charlotte Harbour Coast section as a word document if you want me to email it to you so you get an idea of the layout and flavour of the book. DM me your email address.
I know Sarasota is now getting very expensive and people are commuting from our area in Rotonda/Englewood about 50 minutes away.

Port Charlotte is great for wild dolphins. This link will give you some help with manatees
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/topic_16375.asp

andrew

[bellaepovera]

Do not forget to rent the jetskis if you go to Clearwater or any other beach as I had a blast last summer on one..but oh my aching bones afterwards!

[becbecs]

I can recommend Longboat Key Sarasota, fantastic place restaurants excellent. As for living there thats up to you.

[MarieH]

Thanks for all the tips. Does anyone also have some tips on beautiful quiet beaches to visit, I know many of them are really busy now but would like to find a really nice quiet one somewhere one day.

Does Longboat key have plenty of hotels so that we can stay there and walk to restaurants in the evening instead of driving everywhere?

[becbecs]

Hi Marie

Hotels go all along the coast line at Longboat Key, most over look the beaches to. We stayed at the Longboat Key Hilton but there are many more.
Unfortunatley the Restaurants are spread out so transport will be needed unless you are eating in the Hotel.

There is a shuttle bus which goes up and down the Key, the Hotel would provide you with the time schdule. Other than that you could get a taxi yep they have them here too.

As for beaches at Longboat Key they are just fab and stretch for miles. But for a beaches experience you need to go to Siesta Key which is on the Key below to yes Siesta Beach. I have never seen Sand so White & Fine its like flour in texture and gets everywhere. Good Reason to go back into the water.
If your looky you may see Jon Bon Jovi. His Villa looks out over the Beach.

I beleive Manetee & Dolphin spotting is a common occurence here also.

Hope all this helps. Need any more info just post here and we will be happy to help.

[beer]

[Ruth]

I went to Siesta Key on my birthday last July. The sand was fantastic but apart from the lifeguards the beach was not as good as I hoped. It was really busy and I had to watch where the children were the whole time. We prefer the beaches of Cape Haze, particularly those of Boca Grande and Englewood where they are much quieter and you can see lots of wildlife. Here are a couple of the photos I took there last summer:

[becbecs]

Very nice brings back some lovely memories, we must have picked Siesta Beach on quiet day we were over in out of season in Late May.

Still Idon't think you can go wrong down any part of the Gulf Coast.

Cheers

[beer]

[julieanne]

We usually go to Siesta Key either late May or late Sept/early October and it is usually lovely and peaceful on Siesta Beach then.

I agree with Fraser tho - you can't go wrong anyhwere along the Gulf Coast [8D]