Florida Coasting
It’s a perfect time of year
to visit Florida’s West Coast
beaches! With spring break
winding down and snowbirds heading north,
the vacation hot spots are breathing a sigh of relief. If you've never considered Florida in May, think again.
With the cold fronts now passed and super hot summer days still months away, the weather and warming water temperatures are optimal for every outdoor activity imaginable. What’s more, you can enjoy off-season rates for hotels, vacation rentals, greens fees and other travel and leisure considerations.
There is an abundance of great beaches stretching from Naples to Clearwater – each with its own unique character. You’re bound to find one to suit your style.
Voted in 2005 by The Travel Channel as “America’s Top Beach”, the upscale beach community of Naples is home to 10 miles of beautiful soft sand.
Take a stroll along its shores to
find an impressive array of
mansions. Experience the
lifestyles of the rich and famous
by treating yourself to high tea
at Brambles Tea
Room. From the beach, take a
short walk to the upscale
5th Avenue restaurants, shops
and spas. This is a great place to people watch - a definate to see and be seen.
A bit off the beaten path, try Venice Beach and its many hidden treasures. We're not talking pieces of eight, but rather, fossilized shark teeth. In fact, this area is known as the shark tooth capital of the world.
These fossils, measuring an
eighth of an inch to three inches
or longer, are millions of years
old. Since these are constantly
pushed up onto the beach by
wind and waves, it's easy for
kids and adults of any age to
discover amazing specimens.
Sharkey’s Restaurant is located
in the heart of this treasure-filled
territory, directly on a wide stretch of sugar white sand overlooking emerald clear waters. Cozy up to their tiki bar or cast a line into the Gulf from the pier, just steps from the restaurant.
Up and down the West Coast, fishing is great by boat, from a pier, or even the beach - and is fun for the whole family. Types of you can
expect to see (varies by time of year) include: grouper, snapper, flounder, pompano, redfish and snook.
As you wade in the crystal clear waters just off the beach, be sure to also look down, where you'll find loads of starfish, sand dollars and shells of every shape, color and size. Visibility is usually fantastic, so don't forget your snorkel gear.
For a quaint beach experience, travel north to discover the Sanibel - Captiva area. These laid back barrier islands are famous for plentiful seashells found along the gentle
Gulf of Mexico surf. Both islands
display an artsy flair and the
homes and businesses there seem
to blend right into the surrounding
environment. One third of Sanibel
is actually protected by the
J. N. “Ding” Darling National
Wildlife Refuge.
You can also explore the famous lighthouse on the southern tip of Sanibel Island. Captiva’s ‘Tween Waters Inn, built in 1931, boasts the distinction of being nestled between the Gulf beaches and the Intercoastal Waterway. The resort also includes a full-service marina.
No visit to Captiva is complete
without dining at The Bubble Room.
Here you'll find a zany atmosphere,
featuring memorabilia from the 30’s,
40’s and 50’s. Try their bubble
bread, tarzan and jane steaks, duck
ellington, and sinful deserts. Expect
extra large portions and come
hungry!
Looking for easy and uncluttered public beach access? Bradenton Beach is where you want to be. This mile-long stretch of public beach includes an area lined with tall pines providing plenty of shade for parking, picnic tables and charcoal grills. Bring the burgers and dogs and plan to spend the day on this clean, family friendly beach.
Don't want to cook? You'll love the casual atmosphere, great food and ice cold drinks at
You'll find them by the clock tower
on the Historic Bridge Street Pier,
just off of Gulf Boulevard.
St. Petersburg and Clearwater offer
a wide choice of vacation rentals,
hotels, cafes, shops, bars, loads of
beach amenities - well, let's just
say, they have it ALL!
Be adventurous and try parasailing, windsurfing, boating or wave running. For a truly unique family outing, hop aboard the "Pirate's Ransom" that sails daily from Clearwater Beach. Captain Memo’s sets
the stage for a fun-filled adventure. Water gun duels,
painted faces and pirate costumes are all part of the experience.
They also feature a sunset sail
complete with champagne and soft drinks. Whatever your cruising style, this nautical charter service is sure to please.
Wrap up your West Coast tour with a trip to Fort Desoto Park situated directly on the beach at the south end of St. Petersburg. Fort Desoto, continuously ranks among the top five best beaches in the nation. There are miles of soft white sand, two fishing piers, picnic pavilions and plenty of parking – all surrounded by calm clear Gulf waters. With more than 1,000 acres of park to explore, don’t miss the historic fort, with its earliest history dating back to 16th century’s Spanish conquistadors. After a fun-filled day, Billy’s Stonecrab Restaurant, located just north of the park entrance, is great for a real Florida seafood experience.
This is just a small sampling of the beaches that the West Coast of Florida has to offer. Come explore for yourself, then visit the online travel community at Vacation Savvy.org and share vacation secrets you uncover!
Just Peachy
Named after England’s King George II, Georgia offers a wide variety of travel options. Visit Metro Atlanta’s cultural hub or kick back and enjoy their famous beaches that stretch 100 miles along the coast. Hiking or nature enthusiast? Head north to the gateway of the Appalachian Mountains and the birth of the Chattahoochee River. Savannah is a must see for old fashioned southern charm. Oh, and don’t miss their famous
peaches – a fruit that actually originated in China!
Check out Georgia.gov.
A Toast to California
A visit to any of the wine regions of California
could be just what the doctor ordered to help
shake off the winter blues and swing into
spring. From the Sacramento Valley to
San Diego, California is famous for its fine
wines and great food. Coupled with its
inviting weather, there’s no better place to
travel this month. For more information, visit
Land of Wine and Food's site.
Sleepless in Vegas
If catching shut eye isn’t on your vacation itinerary, then Las Vegas is a safe bet. The city is so mesmerizing you won’t want to sleep! There’s always something to do virtually 24x7. Marvel at their signature neons and amazing architecture of their seemingly endless array of hotels and casinos.
But, that’s not all this incredible town has to offer. Don’t gamble? There are literally tons of options – signature spas, five-star dining, concerts, shows, golf, theme parks and roller coasters. Contained within many of the hotels are virtually full-scale shopping malls! You want it, Vegas has it. Check out Visit Las Vegas for more.
Passports - What's The Latest?
If you’re a U.S. citizen and are planning to travel
outside of our borders, you'll need to arrange for the
proper travel documents in advace of your trip. For
air travel outside of the U.S., you are required to
present a valid passport in order to re-enter the U.S. Currently, if you’re traveling by land or sea, you will need to present either a passport, passport card, WHITI-compliant document or government-issued photo ID – such as a driver’s license, plus proof of citizenship (e.g., birth certificate). As of June 1, 2009, you will be required to present a passport, passport card or WHTI-compliant document. To learn more, visit the website for the U.S. State Department.
A Grand Restoration
The Glen Canyon Dam high flow experiment conducted March 8 is already showing positive ecosystem results. According to the USGS, during a 60-hour period, nearly 41,500 cubic feet per
second of the Colorado River was released into the canyon.
This created new sandbars that are providing new habitat
for wildlife and camping beaches for recreationists. See for yourself. Contact the Grand Canyon National Park's River Permits Office (800.959.9164) for more.
Star Spangled Getaway
Did you know there are 17 different Smithsonian museums, or that the home of Robert E. Lee was once located where the Arlington National Cemetery now stands? Ther are thousands of additional interesting facts about our nation’s capital that most people don’t know. Most of the museums, monuments and historic places are yours to tour for free. Learn what you’ve been missing. Come to Washington, DC, where history comes alive. Find some truly great insider tips at www.washington.org.
Celebrating Cabo Style
Once a quaint fishing village, Baja’s Cabo San Lucas is now a world class destination packed with resorts, restaurants and shops. Places like Cabo Wabo Cantina, owned by Van Halen’s Sammy Hagar, sets the tone for this area’s fun party atmosphere. Festivities will soon kick into high gear for Cinco de Mayo – the Mexican holiday celebrating the 1862 French defeat. Boasting excellent weather, Cabo averages 300 sun-filled days annually – perfect for parasailing, deep sea fishing, snorkeling, golf or soaking up the rays. Visit Cabo soon and see the inspirations reflected in John Steinbeck's novel, The Pearl.
Travel Ideas & News
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