Where to go in FLA?

[David B]

First time, summer, like beaches and forests, history. 

Thanks 

[Magicman]

I haven't been to Florida since yesterday and I am certainly no Florida expert.  My favorite expression is that I have never left Florida nor California with the intention of ever going back even though I have returned to both many times. 

To me the most beautiful beaches are West in the Destin area but very commercialized.  We really enjoyed the Swanee River/Okefenokee area in the NE.  Key West is an adventure and so is Alligator Alley along the Everglades and traveling up the West Coast.  The West Coast also has some beautiful (seashell) beaches.  I suppose that the largest trees are in the Northern quarter.

I omitted the East Coast because I blistered the tops of my feet in Daytona which was a seriously unpleasant experience.

[Raider Bill]

I've been all over the state.
I'm partial to the Clearwater, Indian Rocks area.
Great beaches, laid back, fantastic food and no hood rats.
That's my been here 40 years opinion.
No timber though, just beaches, sun, fun and food.

[Magicman]

The West Coast also has some beautiful (seashell) beaches.

I'm partial to the Clearwater, Indian Rocks area.

Yes, that is the West Coast area that I was referring to. 

[Raider Bill]

West coast sand is white and fine. Perfect for shell and shark tooth hunting.
East coast is more coarse and dark.
Our water temps are also warmer due to the shallow depth of the Gulf of America.

Just north of us is the natural fresh water springs that bubble up and feed rivers.
They maintain a constant
Temp.

[Mooseherder]

Just know that the further south you go the more north you get into.
Depends what a person likes to do.  There's definitely people here.
For History, St. Augustine. For Me. Maine.

[Raider Bill]

St Augustine is the oldest city in the U.S. Cool architecture.

North  Central Florida has forests.

South central of Orlando is agriculture and ranches.
Far south is swamps, big sugar and bigger snakes.
When you read about 20ft snakes, that's where they come from.

Not to too far south from micky mouse don't be surprised if you see cowboys on horseback pushing cattle.

[Ljohnsaw]

We went to Sanibel Island 3 times and Manasota 2 times. Have enough shells for two lifetimes! Did them in July and August. On the coast it was pleasant. In Fort Myers visited the Ford/Edison museum. Did hit the Keys but not too impressed. Was way too hot and humid.

[Magicman]

The Keys was a "one time visit" for us too. 

[aigheadish]

We just got back from the keys and it's pretty but they don't tell you there are almost zero beaches to hang out on. Key west is neat for a day. I like the gulf of America side as well, the water is much clearer and beaches are nicer but I think less history. I went to st. Augustine when I was a wee tyke and it was cool and close to cape Canaveral, which is also cool. 

[Mooseherder]

The Keys have changed quite a bit from it's Heydays.
It used to be great people living off the sea and people came from everywhere to experience it.  The Hurricanes changed all that along with time.  It still great for fishing and lobsters during seasons.  You can free dive in 15 foot of water to pickup a lobster.  That's still booming.  Then you can find some scalawag places if that's what you like. The Mel Fisher exhibition is pretty awesome.
It's a day ride there and a day ride back from pirate land.

[aigheadish]

I saw a neighbor bringing home some real nice fish from his trip when we were there. Going and catching lobster by hand would be fun. 

[Mooseherder]

We would get towed slowly behind the boat and dive down when you see rocks or structures.  The driver stops as the divers check it out. People put down pallets with wrapped chicken wire except for 1 entry.  The Lobsters congregate in them. They are not commercial traps.
They're weighted down with cinder blocks.  You can usually catch your limit like that.  I've come across that a couple of times.
We usually had 3-4 boats with 4-5 people and it's great fun getting trolled around like bait.

[Raider Bill]

Boy done gone bugging before.
It's a good time.
Have the pot boiling and ready.
Another thing we used to do is net shrimp at night. Throw alittle cat food on the surface and shine a light at it. They'll come up to be netted.

We scallop just 50 miles north of here.

[Mooseherder]

Here's a recent Key West documentary by Peter Santenello.

https://youtu.be/3YyWGQ2dFVA?si=gRBR9WgGXTHVKqFP