Florida Guide > Places to Visit
West Coast Beaches
While all the fun of the theme parks is what most of you go to Orlando for, do remember to take breaks in between the days or you will be exhausted. At the height of the season you could arrive at a park when it opens at 7am and not leave until it closes at midnight, I do not think you could do that for two days on the trot, let alone fourteen.
So what to do on your “rest” days? Well a very good idea is to spend a day at the beach on either the East or the West coast of Florida. Orlando is smack dab in the middle of the two but marginally closer to the East Coast. However, for this article I shall tell you about the West coast as in most peoples’ opinion the beaches are much better. White soft sandy beaches with crystal clear blue water.
It will probably take you about an hour and a half to travel from your resort in Orlando to the nearest ones which are Clearwater, St Pete’s, Sarasota and Tampa. These beaches have miles of soft white rolling sands and of those the best is probably Siesta Key in Sarasota or Clearwater with sands as far as the eye can see. These two beaches come out in the top ten almost every year. To walk along the sea in the shallow waters for as far as you like or on the white soft sand is my idea of heaven. However, why not take a picnic and spend the whole day lazing in the sun or swimming in the clear blue waters.
Siesta Key in Sarasota advertises itself as having the finest, whitest sand in the World – probably very true, it certainly feels like it when you are there. There are many restaurants on the beach where you can go with just a top over your swim wear and enjoy freshly caught fish. They also have some of the chicest boutiques in Florida in which to browse or shop.
Clearwater beach is a narrow island separating Clearwater Harbour from the Gulf of Mexico and is reached via a long inter coastal highway bridge. Serious sunbathing and water sports are the order of the day here as are dolphins which can often be seen playing in the sea. The landmark Pier 60 is the centre point of beach activities and is great for sunsets. There are also plenty of seafront restaurants. It is also a favourite of the yachting community cruising along the coast.
So take a break and visit some of the best beaches in the world.
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