[JohnDeere]

We are staying between the two, which is a better beach for a few hours visit? TIA

[shiningwizard255]

I LOVE Cocoa Beach!!! So that's my vote. If you go make sure you check out the Ron Jon Surf Shop.

[JohnDeere]

Parking a problem? Or easy to find?

[MunchingonHay]

Clearwater has blue water. I prefer Siesta Key to either of them.

[anna's girl]

One is on the Altantic Ocean side ( Cocoa Beach) so waves and not clear water. The other is on the Gulf Of Mexico so calm and glasslike water, clearer. Both are nice beaches, just depends on what you are looking for. Beautiful sunsets on the Gulf side beautiful sunrises on the Atlantic.

[Irishrose261]

Gulf Coast = superior coast. I grew up in Sarasota (Siesta Key!) and it's SO MUCH nicer than the Atlantic beaches.

[tpup]

We have tried both and if you want waves, Cocoa Beach is the one! We took the kids to the West Coast of FL beaches once when we were staying in Orlando and they were disappointed with no waves. If my kids were 4 and under, the Gulf beaches would have been great, but they wanted to boogie board and play in the waves. Cocoa Beach has great shops, restaurants, easy parking. (we always park near the Ron Jon Surf Shop).

[Donkerbruin]

I haven't been to Cocoa, but did Clearwater this past summer. Had a great time. The beach itself is pretty commercialized, but the water was beautiful. If you want to get away from all the people and shops, take a short drive to Honeymoon Island. Really liked that place.
Clearwater is also a short drive to Tampa. Lots of fun things to do there.

[Curb Appeal]

I live 1/2 mile from the beach, 15 miles south of Cocoa Beach. It's a nice little town, with great surf and it's easy to get to, but the water isn't nearly as pretty as on the Gulf coast.

You can park for free at Ron Jon.

[FLeventer]

I lived in cocoa beach and I prefer clearwater as a beach. The atmosphere and parking not so muchh. I love thhe white sand, clear water, and just easy to roam beaches. I like cocoa beach due o easy parking, pretty good food/shops/lresturants and the fact that I surf. The pier is cool, ron jons and cocoa beach surf company and cape surf are cool shops.

Both are nice just depends.

[oldpony66]

I haven't been to Cocoa, but did Clearwater this past summer. Had a great time. The beach itself is pretty commercialized, but the water was beautiful. If you want to get away from all the people and shops, take a short drive to Honeymoon Island. Really liked that place.
Clearwater is also a short drive to Tampa. Lots of fun things to do there.

Ditto on Honeymoon Island, but bring flip flops because the shells will rip your feet apart. My inlaws live near there and we visit nearly every time we're there. Maybe Clearwater beach is the same way but I haven't been because we don't like built-up beaches. I prefer the waves and sand (not shells) of the Atlantic side.

[Rallycairn]

Agree with what everyone said -- if your family wants waves, they may be disappointed with the Gulf. The Gulf beaches are so beautiful, though -- not just the water but also the character of the beaches and the vegetation around them and such.

[JohnDeere]

thanks all that recommended a beach, DH wanted Cocoa cause he has a lifelong friend near there Went to Old Fish House for dinner, great place. Parked right at bordwalk. Beach was fine water a bit coldish for our taste. Maybe someday we will get to Gulf coast for vaca or something.