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Looking for a change of scenery this year maybe, as opposed to our yearly week in Myrtle Beach.  We used to go to Daytona, Ormond, and Vero beach when I was a kid but I have no idea what those beaches are like these days.  Thoughts?

Destin for a regular vacation spot

Sanibel Island for something unique.

You want to stay on the gulf side.

Used to be Destin when we were stationed at Mother Rucker in AL, but haven't been there in years, so I don't know what it looks like now.

Went to Daytona the week before the UF game in 2011.  It's not what it used to be, but I'm not picky.  A beach is a beach, IYAM.

There's no real beach but I liked Islamorada and loved Key West. I could live in Key West. And I'm not even gay.

Drink enough wine and your happy tho!!!
 :naughty:

I prefer the Gulf side, but Panama City Beach is my absolute favorite because it's cheaper than Destin and some of the others without sacrificing much.

Panama City is a great experience as well and you can go east to appalachicola and get some great oysters as well.   All along the Florida Panhandle Gulf Coast is great area ot stay in.  I would also recommend trying Hilton Head area if you want a new SC experience rather than Myrtle Beach.  Hilton Head actually has better golf than Myrtle.

I like Miramar which is a little East of Destin but any beach from Panama City to Fort Walton is nice.  White sands and emerald green waters...  No shells though....  And seaweed/algea comes and goes....
  
Use VRBO.com to find a nice place....

Key West is awesome, but yes, even more awesome if one is gay

Guess I am one of those rare folks who like the East coast of Florida better than the Gulf side. 

We are particularly fond of the Space Coast area, Melbourne Beach to be exact.  It's still fairly quiet and not as commercially infested as a lot of the more "tourist" oriented beaches are. 

Thanks guys for the responses.  Having never been to the Gulf side, that intrigues me.

(http://pictures.mastermarf.com/blog/2009/090516-bincat-is-intrigued.jpg)

Gulf side has white sand, less crowds (other than Panama city), and calmer waters. I just like it more.

You've got some good choices on both coasts, but I recommend against Daytona. Ormond is much nicer but there's less to do without going to Daytona. After living in Ormond and working in Daytona I'd say neither is really a great beach destination.

My brother has a condo in Miramar -- really beautiful -- across the street from the beach and the balacony overlooks the ocean....it is not blocked by anything on the beach itself.  Love it down there!

Since we're just a few hours away, we go to the panhandle several times a year. White sand and beautiful green water. My favorites include Destin--probably the best water and Orange Beach, Al--big high rises, and great places to stay. Both have great beaches. One area that is my very favorite is Seaside (where the Jim Carrey film "The Truman Show" was filmed) and next to that beach is another great area in Sea Grove. These are much smaller communities than Orange Beach, but that's one of their best attributes in my opinion. You're located between Destin and Panama City and can easily drive to either for a visit or dinner. Have fun!

I went to Marco Island last year and loved it!  It is on the southwest side of FL, along the gulf, and is only about 30 minutes from Fort Meyers.

And to add - I like some areas of the Gulf, as well.  Panama City Beach at off season (September) is really quiet and you can get in to pretty much anywhere without a wait, and it is nice.  During the season, however, it's hard to get anywhere.   Destin has been mentioned  Hard to go wrong there.  The new Margaritaville Hotel ( http://www.margaritavillehotel.com/ ) in Pensacola is very nice.  My wife and I did a long weekend there and loved it. 

My favorite Gulf area is the Marco Island area, but it's a long way down there from East Tennessee if you are driving. 

My advice is to avoid the St. Pete/Clearwater area.  Very crowded, and an older area.  Hard go get around because of the volume of traffic year round. 

When I first started going to Destin it was a small fishing town....Boy has times changed. Our kids have been grown and married for several years now so me and the wife go to Destin in October. IMO that's the best time to go.

Another place that's nice and not nearly the crowds durning the tourist season is Mexico Beach which is East of Panama City...Very, very nice.

I have family that lives in Ft. Lauderdale FL and the beaches there are not nearly as good as the Gulf side. I lived in Jacksonville for several years and St. Augustine and I just never cared for the Atlantic side very much....If I had to pick one beach I cared for on the Atlantic side it would be New Smyrna beach.

If you are ever in the Keys go to Sombrero beach in Marathon Key....We've been there several times and IMO it's the best beach in the Keys.

Phil!  You finally passed the super secret security clearance to post at VTTW!  It's about time.

I can vouch for Tnphil.  He's a good guy. 

Of course, to some my endorsement may be the kiss of death.   :naughty:

Thanks Dad!!! Many moons ago I served many years in the U.S. Navy....I can tell you it was easier to hijack a nuclear aircraft carrier than to finally get registered on this VTTW site!! :naughty:

I'm truly honored

Welcome Phil. Are you another member of the Powell Mafia?

Thanks!!!

No....I hold down the West part of Tn. I'm a flatlander!! I know 101stDad from TOS...

1st rule of the Pal Mafia is don't talk about the Pal Mafia.

Watch it, buddy.  If you get out of line I will have to send The Big Pussy Paulie Walnuts Pirate after you.   :naughty:

Me too..................................My wife likes the gulf, while i love the Daytona area.  We always vacationed there when i was a kid, or Gasparilla Island just above Naples.

 :powert:

The beaches at the Plantation on Amelia Island, FL

with the tin roof cottages. And here's a tip............Don't come here from Memorial Day to Labor Day. I realize many people do because of the kids being out of school. Living here I prefer the climate of October and even November. The days are beautiful with highs of 65-75 degrees and the evenings are cool with lows in the 50's. The water is still warm enough for swimming and the crowds are gone. I have some contacts in the resort business. Send me a message and I may be able to get you a deal.   

Music to Vinnie's ears.

Lol, su.

Cape San Blas. Near Port St Joe & Panama City. It had a dog friendly beach. Quiet, "family" atmosphere. Beautiful, I thought. :thumbup:

Great spot, I agree; but if you're going there, come down another 40 miles to St. Augustine; we've got miles of really beautiful beach here, and lots of nice restaurants (not to mention history out the wazoo)

So, is that an invitation to stay at your house?   :naughty:

My brother lives on the plantation.  We usually make the trip to St Augustine when we visit. You are correct,  Beautiful area, great restaurants.

I lived 15 miles from St. Augustine in the 70's....My favorite beach and town on the Atlantic side.

The latch string is always out; however call ahead, so we can disarm the security system! :old:

Having lived in Miami and gone to Keys a bunch, wife's family had a place south of St. Augustine and gone to law school in St. Pete and knowing those beaches as well  >>>The best is around SR 30A in Walton County. Not really many condo's just rental houses.  Also check San Destin.  You can thank me later.  Destin is great, water is beautiful but a little more built up. 

Yep...Been going to Sand Destin for years....I had a time share for several years when it was just getting developed....Unreal how it has boomed over the last 25-30 years. Actually IMO its over-developed for the beach space they have ownership for.

Our hotels have been upgraded since the hurricanes, with two really good ones (Gloria Estefan's Costa d'Este and the nearby Vero Beach Hotel ), we also now have quite a few good restaurants. Our fishing is still as good as ever, as well as kayaking, golf or just hanging out on the beach. We occasionally have waves if you surf, though you may need to go to the inlets to find a reliable break.

Night life leaves a bit to be desired. We have nice bars to get a drink and listen to live music but no real night clubs to speak of.

I love living here.

So, what, if anything, is Dodgertown used for now that the Dodgers have moved their spring training to Arizona? 

Dodgertown is being used for travel team baseball tournaments, umpire school for MLB, a few colleges use it for "retreats" etc. It is also being used to film some sports related "reality" shows.

A month ago there was some sort of show about former NFL quarterbacks training to become baseball pitchers. Flutie, Booty and a few others were there. I do not know who won, but the winner gets to pitch an inning in a Spring Game for the Arizona cardinals.

It is a shame we no longer have Spring Training here. Dodgertown was a great venue from a fan's perspective. Small stadium, no dug outs..you could reach over the fence and pat your favorite player on the back.

One of the managers once told me they were worried about a madman coming in with a gun and killing people because the stadium is so open there is no way to have "proper security". I told him not to worry because this is Vero Beach. It is one of the most armed communities in the country; 2/3 of the people here are packing..any shooter would be brought down by the people in the stands before his third shot.

Josh Booty won it. Also competing was John David Booty, Doug Flutie, David Greene and Ryan Perrilloux. I watched one episode. I don't think any of them would last an inning in the majors. But David Greene still has a pretty good arm, just not a good knuckleball.

Yep.  By far it was my favorite spring training venue to visit, and I pretty much detest the Dodgers - always have and always will.  Dodgertown had character, unlike most of the newer spring training venues.  

David Green and David Pollack were childhood friends, team mates, and future roomies, you know.  I think Verne Lundquist might have mentioned that a time or two.   :naughty:

Didn't Booty play college baseball?

I never saw the show, was not even aware of when it was on. They were all pretty serious about not telling anyone who won though. The manager is one of my patients and I ran into her in a local restaurant eating lunch with Booty and D Flutie. That is how I found out about it.

Josh Booty was the 5th overall pick in the first round out of high school by the Marlins.  He spent 4-5 years in minor league baseball, had a so so minor league career.  If memory serves, he was a September call up in 97 (or whichever year it was the Marlins won the world series before selling off all of its decent players).   I don't think he was on the active roster during the series. 

After his baseball career fizzled, he went to LSU to play football.  I think he played there for Dinardo. 

Doug Flutie spent part of his youth in Melbourne Beach, by the way, but you probably knew that.  Melbourne Beach is where Mrs. 101st and I hang out a lot and plan to retire in.