Or, Tampa area? - The Hull Truth

Jamisjockey · 03-01-2010, 03:24 PM

Another option after talking to my dad we are thinking about the Tampa area so we can hit Bush Gardens. I'd rather go to the keys, but I'm putting it on the table, why not. Keeping the threads sepearte as they are two seperate areas we're considering for a vacation. This would be the last week of march/first week of april.
Looking at rentals at VRBO but have no idea on the areas, and the prices swing wildly it seems. What areas are close to the beaches in Tampa, and decent areas to rent a house? Ideally, something where there is canal access where we can fish from a dock or whatever, not too far from the beach, and not too far from Bush Gardens.
Thoughts?

I'd add that our budget for the rental will be about $1000-$1500 ideally. Not oppossed to a condo but would rather rent a house.

robalo2320 · 03-01-2010, 04:53 PM

Well, Busch Gardens is in central Tampa, but the beaches are around 35 miles west in Pinellas County. There are no beaches in Tampa worth visiting. I'd look around St Pete Beach, Treasure Island, Maderia Beach. You can find rentals on canals off the ICW.
Then make a day trip to Busch gardens and maybe the Florida Aquarium (downtown Tampa)

triumphrick · 03-01-2010, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robalo2320

Well, Busch Gardens is in central Tampa, but the beaches are around 35 miles west in Pinellas County. There are no beaches in Tampa worth visiting. I'd look around St Pete Beach, Treasure Island, Maderia Beach. You can find rentals on canals off the ICW.
Then make a day trip to Busch gardens and maybe the Florida Aquarium (downtown Tampa)

Ditto Robalo's post..the Aquarium is a good one, and the channelside area has a little nightlife, restaurants, etc. although I have read of some hard times as of late.

How many of you are coming? April 1st is the opening of grouper season, and I will certainly be out there digging some out. I had another trip with some of the guys and we had a good day of it....

Here's a link to a rental site..

http://www.clearwatervacationhomes.com/

Jamisjockey · 03-01-2010, 05:47 PM

Thanks for the input. Wife wants to invite another family, but honestly if its just us and the kids we could get away with a 2 bedroom for sure. Busch gardens would be a one day thing, possibly two, the rest of the time I'd rather be just lounging or fishing.
The last-minuteness is going to make this a pain in the ass, though.

787337 · 03-01-2010, 06:04 PM

Trust me there is no place that you want to stay near Busch Gardens. I am about 10 miles away in Carrollwood which is a nice area but not exactly a tourist destination. Your best bet is staying out by the beaches. Anywhere on the beach south of Clearwater is nice. Although Clearwater has been spruced up over the last couple of years it still gets the majority of our tourist traffic.

Busch Gardens is an easy day trip from the beaches. As mentioned, Channelside is nice & the aquarium is worth a visit. Downtown Saint Pete is also nice to walk around. Really good restaurants by the pier. Ceviche is my favorite down there.

Jamisjockey · 03-01-2010, 06:07 PM

St Pete beach was recommended from another site, as well as Clearwater Beach and a few others. Just gotta figure out if this other family is interested or not....maybe I'll get lucky and find a pet friendly place, too.

robalo2320 · 03-01-2010, 06:18 PM

I forgot to mention downtown St. Pete. Shoot, my wife and I drive down there about every other weekend to hang out. There's a lot to do there. Also visit Ft. Desoto park for a day. There's some old military bunkers there for touring and 2 piers you can fish from.

caltexflanc · 03-02-2010, 06:11 AM

When the kids were little we used to take them to Clearwater Beach and had a great time. You can find what you are looking for there. It's Spring Training time too, it's lots of fun to catch a game. How old are your kids? Regardless don't get hung up on Busch Gardens, there is plenty else to do for fun. Rent a boat like we did and just explore the Intracoastal.

Perchguy · 03-02-2010, 07:17 AM

I took the family to St. Petes Beach last year and had a fantastic time. We did more of a resort thing than fishing. Stayed at the Sandpiper Hotel on the beach. Had a great time. John's Pass about 20 minutes north is a fun place to go to. Nice restaurants and shops. Crabby Bill's in St. Petes Beach is a nice fairly inexpensive restaurant. Great seafood. Went out on a head boat from Hubbards at John's Pass and had a good time. We went out on the half day trip, caught mostly smaller snapper and grouper but the kids had fun. They have a 8 hour trip also, saw that boat come in and they had some decent size Amber Jacks and keeper groupers. Took the family on a trip to Shell Island. Boat went out of Hubbards but there are others also. Fantastic place to collect sea shells. Went to Sea World at Orlando also. A bit of a drive (about 2 hours if I remember right) but not too bad. Just don't get to close to the Killer Whales! Going to the keys this year. Staying in Marathon. Looking for more of a fishing trip this time. Either way beats the hell out of this Wisconsin cold.

Jamisjockey · 03-02-2010, 09:49 AM

Having a real hard time finding anything, but maybe found somethng in the keys.

CaptBryan · 03-12-2010, 08:53 PM

Drop me a line. BryanElkins@verizon.net I provide a guide service out of Boca Grande Fl. Also have a rental house 2/2 about 2 miles from the beach in Englewood Fl. About a 1-1 1/2hr drive from Bush Gardens, and The Florida Aquarium.

jmarlin · 03-12-2010, 10:31 PM

Try Siesta Key or Longboat Key near Sarasota. Both awesome beaches and good fishing.

billyboyo · 03-13-2010, 06:43 AM

Try Anna Maria Island.
Two fishing piers, great beaches, a marina with great bait/tackle shop and lots of fishing Captains for hire (inshore- offshore). Lots of homes to rent or small family run Motels it's Paradise

And it's only 1 hour to Busch Gardens

triumphrick · 03-13-2010, 07:05 AM

I'll chime in again..I don't know Capt.Bryan, but I did live in Englewood for about ten years. As far as fishing goes, that place is awesome. It would be interesting to see what kind of accommodations he has. Manasota Key is a great place to hide out..quiet and the kids will never get tired of finding sharks teeth. Fossilized, wash up on the shore regularly.
Good beach restaurants, and Tampa (Busch Gardens) is only an hour and a half north of there.

mahi231 · 03-13-2010, 08:16 AM

When considering from St.Pete Beach to Clearwater, keep in mind that all of the following are in that range:
Beach Communities:
St.Pete Beach
Treasure Island
Madeira Beach
Redington Beach
Redington Shores
N. Redington Beach
Indian Shores
Indian Rocks Beach
Belleaire Beach
Belleaire Shores
Sand Key
Clearwater Beach
Areas with waterfront homes:
Terra Verde
Gulfport
S. Pasadena
St.Petersburg
Bay Pines
Seminole
Belleaire
Clearwater
Dunedin
Tarpon Springs.

Lots to choose from!

Abib · 03-18-2010, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billyboyo

Try Anna Maria Island.
Two fishing piers, great beaches, a marina with great bait/tackle shop and lots of fishing Captains for hire (inshore- offshore). Lots of homes to rent or small family run Motels it's Paradise

And it's only 1 hour to Busch Gardens

You can't go wrong with Anna Maria Island, it has the Florida Keys appearance, but way better beaches and only an hour away to Bush Gardens. Also the world's largest fish pier ( http://skywaypiers.com/ ) is only 1/2 hour away.