Howdy folks..some help needed from my Lexus friends

Thinking of proposing to my gf in March.

Thinking of doing it in Florida. So looking for something romantic. Given I am from CA, I prefer the gulf side, because the Miami/daytona side is stuff I have seen.

Would you guys recommend the west side of Florida for a 3-4 day weekend getaway? So looking for a city idea so far. I have never been to the west side of FL.

I am looking for a pretty romantic place. Once I figure that out, then the proposing ideas will come.

Appreciate any help you can provide.

 

The gulf, eh? It really depends what you want to do. The snow birds are currently here with a vengeance since it's about that time.

You could check out Tampa Bay, Clearwater, St. Petersburg to get things started.

Someone proposed to his wife with a billboard here. It was updated saying "She said yes!" not too long after. I digress.

Keep in mind Spring Break occurs in the month of March.

What did you have in mind for a romantic getaway? Give me an idea and I'll do what I can to help.

 

Thanks...was looking for something low key. Beach, nice hotel, water fun, relaxing. Was looking for carmel/monterey type of place

 

I don't think anything will be low-key if you go during Spring Break to be honest haha. Anyway, here are the beaches off Pinellas County (that I've gone to):

Fort Desoto beach
St. Pete(rsburg) beach
Treasure Island beach
Madeira beach
Indian Rocks beach
Clearwater beach

Here's a link I just found for you:
http://images.milesmediagroup.net/We...AD_10_1212.pdf

Caldesi Island is ranked best beach in 2008.
http://www.ajc.com/travel/content/tr...each_0522.html

Clearwater beach was also ranked sometime in the 90s.

I went to Daytona once. The beaches here are so much better although you can't drive in the sand. An advantage of the West is that you can watch the sun set into the water while at Daytona/Miami it's rising from the water.

Here are a few flicks I took a couple years ago. I suck but what the heck:

Clearwater area:





These were taken at a random spot between Clearwater beach and Indian Rocks beach:





Keep in mind the sand differs from beach to beach at the locations I mentioned.

You can also check out Fort Myers, Naples, Sarasota/Bradenton as well.

 

Thanks. I think we will have to do the clearwater/st. pete/tampa area. My friends had recommend Naples, Sanibel, Captiva, but everything I find seems super super expensive.

We don't really have to have a hotel on the beach. We will have a rental car (as that would be the only way to really get around). We would like to stay somewhere at least 5-10 miles from the beach. Plan is hang out at the beach during the day, some nice food at night. Some shopping, low key.

We party hard all the time, so looking for a change of pace.

Appreciate the help. Every hotel I have looked that, that was reasonable, are all booked up. Damn snow birds.

 

Have you tried Tradewinds Resort? Haha 5-10 miles inward covers a lot of hotels. You can try www.slickdeals.net in hopes of finding deals on lodging, car rental, and flight. I'm renting a minivan in Las Vegas for $39 a day later this week!

I don't know if you caught this in my previous posts' edit:

Shopping:
Countryside mall (ehh)
Tyrone Square Mall (ehh)
International Plaza & West Shore Plaza are next to Tampa International Airport

The other malls around here are open malls so whatever.

Food:
www.fiveguys.com <--I would rank them above In-N-Out.
www.checkers.com <--Try their fries
www.thevenueclub.com <--Two (different) restaurants in one
Sushi Spot
Cheddar's
Leverocks
Crabby Bill's
Mimi's Cafe
Shells
Bonefish Grill
Outback Steakhouse
Restaurant BT
I can't think of any more restaurants at the moment

Tampa Bay is cool. Hard Rock Casino & Hyde Park is what's up.


The beach is always close if you take the right routes.

 

I am looking for pretty soft walkable sand....to hang out and relax in. Appreciate the help. Do you think we could get by with no car? Like a hotel 2 miles from the beach, and use cabs?

 

not too sure of the location your looking at... but i wish you the best of luck!!!

 

Soft sand? I suggest St. Pete beach, Clearwater beach, and (possibly) Treasure Island beach as the more active beaches (with sand that will sink your feet). Bring sunglasses because the sand is almost white so when the sun hits, you're going to squint like crazy.

You can get by with no car but you're going to limit yourself to the restaurants in your area. The downside to living here is that everything is spread apart. On average, it takes 15-30 minutes to get to point A to point B and that's midday but that's if you travel at least 10 miles.

If you're not too concerned with shopping malls and fine eateries, then go for it. A cab shouldn't be a problem if it's just 2 miles inland. You're in a totally different environment 2 miles off shore. Haha

Any particular area in mind? You're welcome, by the way.

 

I live on Treasure Island, and have lived around here my whole life. This place is ABSOLUTELY beautiful. I often take it for granted. Clearwater Beach is extremely touristy in my opinion. Watch the Spring Breaks too... For colleges it seems that Spring Break lasts all of March (all schools do NOT have the same spring break).

I would stick to Treasure Island as it's not ridiculously touristy and is somewhat of a secret as compared to down by the Don Cesar.

Let me know if I can help you with anything else! I'll be happy to give you a hand.

 

Incredible thanks no doubt. St Pete, Clearwater are what I keep hearing. Shopping isn't a big deal, as we are in NYC, LA, Dubai all the time.

No particular area, as I don't know anything there, thus your help. Where would you recommend reasonable staying prices for about 2-3 nights? With quick access to the beach?

Thanks

 

Sounds like a great place. Any reasonable hotel recommendations in the area? Just the two of us. Also I assume Tampa airport is the closest? How far of a distance/cab ride to the close to beach hotel area?

You recommend a car rental?

Appreciate the help.

 

Click here to see what 2 miles inland looks like from the beaches:

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Pinell...-8&sa=N&tab=il

 

hahahha

 

Trade winds is nice, there are two places called the Bilmar and the Thunderbird right on the beach. I hear the Bilmar is nice and I think it was recently remodeled. Just call and ask if it has been remodeled. Tampa airport is DEFINITELY the closest. It was funny for you to say 5-10 miles inland. Pinellas county is a peninsula, if you go 5-10 miles inland, the beach on the other side is closer. lol. Cab ride to Treasure Island is prob around 30 miles and about 45 minutes.

Shopping around Treasure Island is just beach shopping, nothing crazy fancy. If I were you, I wouldn't rent a car, just go to the beach and sit. Get a room on the water and watch the sunset every night. Driving all over the place just seems unnecessary for a 2-3 night stay. Sounds like you just want to relax.