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NFT: Driving from Orlando to Gainesville, FL (looking for a beach

tbonfig : 2/20/2017 7:46 pm
Anyone have any opinions on a great beach to make a detour to on my way from Orlando to Gainesville? Looking for a nice hotel also....
Clearwater beach is nice.  
BigBlue in Keys : 2/20/2017 8:14 pm : link
It is way out of the way though. Adds about 2 1/2 hours to a less than 2 hour trip.

Tarpon springs has a beach that is ok, and is a cool little town with some great Greek restaurants. Would save about an hour total.

From Gainesville,  
Diver_Down : 2/20/2017 8:29 pm : link
your closest beach community with accommodations will be Cedar Key. There is also Fort Island Gulf Beach in Crystal River, but I wouldn't recommend. To be honest, all the college kids come to St. Augustine Beach, but that will be too far out of the way.
Thanks guys  
tbonfig : 2/20/2017 8:34 pm : link
My buddy is saying Clearwater would be best, just that it is out of the way.

We land at 4:30. Seems about 2 hours away. Would try to get in the water by 7 for a nice dip before the sun.

And just realized the sun sets at 6:20. ugh
Have you thought about going the other direction?  
tony stg : 2/20/2017 8:44 pm : link
Head to Daytona Beach from Orlando, or one of the other beaches north of DB. I think DB is only an hour from Orlando. There are a couple of ways you could snake back to Gainesville from the east coast.
Daytona Beach  
GmeninPSL : 2/20/2017 9:57 pm : link
would be my choice as well! Nice boardwalk, all local shops are within walking distance and the pier overlooking the beach is out of sight! I Drive there twice a year from my Port Saint Lucie home.
If you want waves, go east.  
Giantgator : 2/20/2017 10:42 pm : link
Ormond Beach is a good low-key spot
To the East  
Nomad Crow on the Madison : 2/21/2017 5:52 am : link
New Smyrna Beach! Like Daytona but notes crowded. Lots of college kids on the weekends.
Yes, head East  
Ben in Tampa : 2/21/2017 8:16 am : link
Clearwater is probably the best beach in the state, but at that time of day the trip is closer to 3-1/2 hours than 2.
If you are looking for a quiet beach  
hocuspocus : 2/21/2017 8:52 am : link
head to New Smyrna Beach. If you want a busier beach with a boardwalk and more things to do (e.g., Daytona Speedway) go to Daytona.

They are both a little over an hour from Orlando Airport.
Thanks everyone  
tbonfig : 2/21/2017 9:43 am : link
Guiltily my wife and I were looking for a situation like we had in Miami last year. We stayed at the W (loved it) and it was right on the water. We literally unpacked, got our suits on and were in the water 45 minutes after landing.

I think spring break is next week so I'd imagine DB is crazy hectic with all the youngin's
RE: Yes, head East  
tony stg : 2/21/2017 11:04 am : link
In comment 13366213 Ben in Tampa said:
Quote:
Clearwater is probably the best beach in the state, but at that time of day the trip is closer to 3-1/2 hours than 2.

Yep... It would take me an hour and I live less than 20 miles away.

I'm trying to figure this  
section125 : 2/21/2017 12:39 pm : link
out. Neither Orlando or Gainesville is any where near a beach - both in the middle of the state. It is about 1 1/2 from Orlando the the East Coast and 2 to 2 1/2 hrs to the West Coast. At least the West Coast is closer to Gainesville when you leave the beach area.
How about Silver Springs? It is fresh water (always 72 deg winter or summer).
RE: I'm trying to figure this  
tony stg : 2/21/2017 12:52 pm : link
In comment 13366615 section125 said:
Quote:
out. Neither Orlando or Gainesville is any where near a beach - both in the middle of the state. It is about 1 1/2 from Orlando the the East Coast and 2 to 2 1/2 hrs to the West Coast. At least the West Coast is closer to Gainesville when you leave the beach area.
How about Silver Springs? It is fresh water (always 72 deg winter or summer).

1 hour-15 min from MCO to Daytona Beach.
2 hours from Daytona Beach to Gainesville

Going to Gainesville direct from MCO is 2 hours anyway, so going to DB first adds about 75 minutes.

And Silver Springs is not a beach (though it is very nice)...  
tony stg : 2/21/2017 12:58 pm : link
... I like the springs at Weekie Wachee as well.

tbonfig -- Any chance you can fly into Tampa instead of Orlando? That way you're a lot closer to the beaches at Clearwater, Dunedin, etc. and then a straight shot up I-75 to Gainesville.

Lastly, same theory, but fly into Jacksonville, hit a beach there and then drive to Gainseville from there.

Cocoa  
mrvax : 2/21/2017 3:47 pm : link
Beach is pretty nice also. Due East from Orlando.
Driving up  
ctc in ftmyers : 2/21/2017 7:17 pm : link
the middle of the state and looking for a beach?

Driving from Binghamton to Buffalo, (looking for NYC.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

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