The best beaches to take a road trip to this summer
Spring break starts tomorrow, and at Toyota of Clermont, we’re ready to jump feet-first into the season. Spring in Florida means beach days, and it also means that summer isn’t far off. If you’re looking to get out of town and get your fix of vitamin sea this summer, check out this list of some of the best beaches to take a spring or summer road trip to. Happy travels!
Some of the best beaches in the US that we’d take a road trip to
We tried to make it reasonable for you – a road trip to California or Oregon, both of which boast excellent beaches, isn’t quite feasible for most people driving from Clermont. That’s why we stuck with east coast beaches. Here are some of our favorites for you to explore in the upcoming seasons:
#1: Destin: Destin – if you haven’t heard of it – is located in the panhandle of Florida. It’s famed for its white sand beaches and turquoise waters that make you feel like you’re somewhere in the Caribbean. It’s also an incredible place to fish as it has huge populations of Red Snapper and Grouper fish offshore. You’ll have tons of beaches to choose from and the Gulf of Mexico makes for warm, calm waters to swim in. Destin is about a six-hour road trip from Clermont.
#2: Outer Banks: If you’re trying to get out of state for a fresh take on beaches, head to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. There are 200+ miles of beach to check out and tons of opportunities for fishing, boating, swimming, surfing, and skimboarding. There’s also a great pier at Nag’s Head for watching the skies and fishing. The Outer Banks – the start of them, at least – are about 12 hours from Clermont, so consider making a pit stop in Georgia or South Carolina.
#3: Sanibel Island: Another Florida beach to explore is Sanibel Island. It just reopened after withstanding Hurricane Ian; it’s known for its idyllic beaches and shell-filled beaches (people actually go “shelling” there to collect unique ones). Plus, there are nature trails to hike and bike as well as picnic areas to set up shop. Don’t miss Lighthouse Beach! Sanibel Island is about four hours from Clermont.
#4: Amelia Island: Amelia Island is another Florida beach (are you seeing a pattern here?) located about 30 miles northeast of Jacksonville. It’s a quiet area with a small-town vibe, so it’s perfect for families and beachgoers who want to relax. There are 13 miles of beaches to wander, as well as horseback riding on the beach, playgrounds, volleyball courts, kayaking, and nature trails. Amelia Island is about three hours from Clermont.
#5: Cape May: If you want a big change of pace from Florida, head further north to Cape May, New Jersey. It’s extremely family-friendly and chock full of restaurants, shops, and wide beaches perfect for swimming and sunning. Cape May Point offers a quiet town full of antique shops while Cape May offers a promenade that you can walk to watch the sun rise or set. Cape May is about 16 hours from Clermont, so you’ll definitely want to make a pitstop on the way up – North Carolina is a solid place to spend the night.
#6: Golden Isles: The Golden Isles are in Georgia, believe it or not. The Golden Isles are composed of four different barrier islands including St. Simon’s Island, Sea Island, Jekyll Island, and Little St. Simon’s Island. You can’t miss Driftwood Beach, which is famed for its huge driftwood trees left stranded on the beach, and there are tons of shops to explore restaurants. The beaches here are also perfect for long, uninterrupted walks on the sand. The Golden Isles are about four hours from Clermont.
Get your car ready for a road trip at our Toyota service center
Ready for your road trip? Toyota of Clermont can help you get your car prepped – just call us today. We’re at (352) 404-7001 and we’re conveniently located just off the Florida Turnpike at 16851 State Road 50.