We have been all over Florida and much prefer the east coast. Would you consider Miami?

https://www.walkscore.com/cities-and-neighborhoods/

raee - you might have more luck in conversations side.

That said - I vote Sarasota. You get art, architecture, white sand beaches, birdwatching, quiet safe city, and the Legacy trail.

Here is a link that might be useful: Legacy Trail

Sarasota is lovely.
My favorite spot...Naples. We spend 2 weeks in Naples every Christmas...about 2 hrs south of Sarasota and a few degrees warmer. Love It... Beautiful beach, great little restaurants and shops. Much more quiet than Miami. Safe for solo travel. Its @ 1 1/2 hr across to Miami if you want to do day trip or overnight.

I'm rather partial to my hometown of Saint Petersburg!

Thanks, robo, I do forget about this side...

Sarasota looks good....cheap flights into Tampa!

Junglegal, I will look at St. Petersburg too!

Ditto to robo on Sarasota. It's not touristy either.

Lisa_mocha, checking out Naple, too

If you end up around Sarasota, you might want to check out Anna Maria Island. Miles of beach to walk there. In St. Petersburg, they have the Salvador Dali museum and the Dale Chihuly museum. In Sarasota, there is the Ringling museum and the winter home of John and Mabel Ringling you can tour, as well as a nice botanical garden - Selby Botanical Gardens.

we love the west coast as well. closer to the tampa airport, the tarpon springs area (just north of clearwater) has a state park called caladessi island. lots of kayaking, walking opportunities and driving distance to my second fave, anna maria island. that whole area is beautiful and chock full of state parks, most on the beach.

Only place in Fla. I'd want to go to would be the Keys.

Thanks all, I am seriously looking around the Tampa area.

Tibbrix, don't you live in Florida?

raee, nope. I live in Mass.

Our winter home is Fort Myers, but for your criteria I think Anna Marie Island is perfect! We have spent many long weekends there in the past before we became snowbirds with our own permanent nest further south.

Dali museum has a Picasso exhibit right now! It's a bit pricey but I was really impressed with the Dali side...am guessing they'll have a gem of a Picasso exhibit as well. We got a pretty blah Andy Warhol exhibit when we went.

Ringling Museum in Sarasota is amazing and there are really nice grounds right on Sarasota bay as well.

We have our winter home outside Tampa now (Lutz) and used to be in Clearwater.

The Tampa/St. Pete/Clearwater area is great!
Clearwater Beach is beautiful. Fort De Soto is nice kayaking and hiking. I love Honeymoon Island State Park, there are beaches and hiking trails there (we take the dogs all the time).

There are multiple nature preserves nearby (we just did a long walk in Starkey Wilderness Preserve).

Dunedin is a really adorable area with great restaurants.

So much to do within this area....

Clairebuoyant, I live in Ft Myers! What area are you in? Raee, St Pete is a lovely little town and the beaches are gorgeous! Just depends if you want the big city of Tampa, or choose a smaller town by the beach. We live near Sanibel/Captiva, that is an area that you need to check into. You would fly into Ft Myers, two hours S of Tampa. Lots of bike riding and beautiful beaches, too. Florida is a perfect choice in the winter, you will love it.

First choice here would also be the Clearwater-St Pete or Sanibel Island area. My in-laws and a BIL lived in Tampa (now deceased) so we used to make a lot of trips there. Not so much anymore but we always enjoyed those areas except in the hot summertime.

Second would be to the Keys.

Sevond all suggestions for the west coast. We lived in Palm Harbor for about ten years and i loved the entire area. All the choices----sarasota, Naples, Clearwater, anna Maria---- are different but all have something special to recommend them. Florida in winter is heavenly.

Thought I'd post some of my Sarasota and area photos just to sweeten the pot ;)

Lettuce Lake park just outside of Tampa, swamp ecosystem.
{{gwi:2134420}}

Dolphins in Sarasota Bay
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View of the bay from the top of the Ringling mansion

Epiphytes at Myakka River state park, about 30 mins from Sarasota.
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Longboat Key beach
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Siesta Key beach

Birds at Siesta Key can be a bit...insistent.

Orchid, philodendron and Spanish moss at Marie Selby gardens (they focus on air plants)
{{gwi:2134427}}

Mangroves off Chokoloskee Island (closer to Naples)

Why do I live in Canada?

This post was edited by robotropolis on Thu, Jan 29, 15 at 10:20

Either the Keys or Sanibel/Naples/Marco Island.

Wow. How beautiful, Robo!

Well, it turns out that I am going to San Diego after all. Pricelined a good airfare, hotel and car. Will meet friends (I used to live there). Still, it will be a bit more than I would have spent to go to the Tampa Bay area.

But for sure I will keep all of these suggestions in mind in case I need another weekend this (or next) winter. I am so interested, I was almost disappointed when my priceline bid was accepted!

Well you certainly can't go wrong with San Diego! What a great city and surrounds. Have a great time! My SIL and BIL live in San Diego--ahhhh, the life!

Ginakay, we're in the Macgregor/Gladiolus area. How about you?

NO WAY, we live off McGregor and PineRidge.... Gulf Harbour CC!!

Too funny.... we are across the road in Lucaya!

Clairebuoyant, send me an email sometime and tell me where you guys are from and what all you enjoy doing in Ft Myers! frankginakay@gmail.com I pass your neighborhood every day~~

Beautiful robo! Except you forgot all the gators everywhere in Myakka!
The prettiest beaches there.