Okay! Another Beach Holiday Post. US Best Beaches/Families?

[KoKo]

I had to include both...just so some people might give me links or whatever.

But BEACH HOLIDAYS.....Give me BEST PLACES IN US.....not outside Borders!

For those who need to be close and maybe a short distance. Best Family Places for T/G and XMAS....and probably for those who have Teens/College, because below that most of us stay at home for when they are very little.

It's when the kiddies get feisty, and the relatives are "passing along" that we want to know where to go...to keep it all fresh as a family time and unwind but still give our teens/college age a really nice time.

BEER BUST IN CANCUN? I don't think so....want serious posts from Serious DU'ers who have a Big Problem.....with late pre-teen, teen and College age kids.

[caledesi]

1. I live in Tampa and I can tell you that these 2 beaches are voted

in the top five every year for the past 5+ years.

Caladesi Island: http://www.floridastateparks.org/caladesiisland/default.asp

Gotta take a ferry to get there, but if you love white, clean sand and aqua WARM water, this is for you.

Fort DeSoto: http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/05_Ft_DeSoto.htm

OMG! What a fantastic beach. White sand, FREE parking, good fishing (they have a bridge for fishing) and nice, warm water. Oh, and did I tell you about the sand dollar shells?

I LOVE THE BEACH, hence the DU name caledesi (I know, it is misspelled, but that goes back to my old AOL days, where the name Caladesi was taken). BTW, I eventually met the person using the correct spelling - he works for Caladesi State Park.

[KoKo]

3. That's a great tip...hadn't heard of either of those....Thanks!

Defintely will bookmark. Did East Coast of FLA last Spring and was disappointed...but these look interesting.

[alcuno]

2. I stayed at the Colony Resort on Long Boat Key (off of Tampa)

Loved the beach and the resort. In the winter, it could be cold so you probably need to go further south. I have friends who are nuts about Sanibel but I've never been there.

[caledesi]

5. Love Long Boat Key.....but expensive! nt

[KoKo]

4. I've heard some good things about Amelia Island, Fla...but not in awhile..

Has anyone been there....things for teens? Adults?

[caledesi]

6. I LOVE Amelia Island. Totally beautiful.

Palm trees in the sand....the whole bit. Not inexpensive though.

http://www.aipfl.com/

[KoKo]

7. Trying to look for stuff for Teens/College/Parents/pre-teens..stuff to do?

Stuff that "restores your soul?" Now Teens are not so much interested in that, but they will still go along. For College age...need many activities....would Amelia work for that...or all the other places like Caldesi, DeSoto?