Florida for mid to late December Vacation Trip

[ML]

Gal and I went to Orlando last December and had great time.
Weather in mid 80s every day and no rain.
But I think we were just unusually lucky with the temperature and rain.

Want to go somewhere different this year; but still in Florida.

I have been hearing the Pensacola - Panama City area can be pretty 'iffy' with respect to warmth in mid to late December.

The Florida Keys would seem to be about the warmest spot in Florida for mid to late December . . . but would we be smack in middle of heavy tourist season there at that time of year?

Anything much different about area from Tampa south to Fort Meyers; as compared to Orlando, with respect to expected temperatures mid to late December?

We don't need to do the 'entertainment parks' like Disney World, etc.
No night life at night clubs needed.
Just mosey along the beaches and eat too much.

What are the suggestions and info about how crowded various towns might be mid to late December?

Don't bother with info about Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, etc.;  We aren't leaving USA proper.

[Hammer2722]

I remeber watching a show about the 10 best beaches in FL. One of them was near Ft Myers and was considered one of the best kept secrets because it wasn't overcrowded and was more romantic for walks and such. I wish I could remember the name but it you google beaches near Ft Myers or 10 best fL beaches, you may, find it.

[Eduard]

ML,
actually the weather you experienced in Orlando is pretty standart winter weather here in FL. In the winfer we get rain only about once a month if we are lucky so it's basically sunny most of the time. Actually winters here is pure paradise! 4 or 5 times during the winter we get a cold front move in for 3 or 4 days. First we get rain then the temperature drops right away, and it can get pretty chilly at night. In fact the winters of 2009 and 2010 the temperature dipped down to 27 degrees around 6 am so we had a lot of icicles in the morning. We protect the garden and citrus trees by living water sprinklers on them all night long. They become covered with ice which actually protects them from freezing. Even flowers survive when covered by a coat of ice. Then the sun comes out ice melts and the temperature gets to about 55 or 60 and then this cycle repeats for another day or two. After the cold front passes it warms up pretty quickly and back to 75 or 80 in the day time and about 60 at night. The swimming season is over for us Floridians since about 3 weeks ago, but for people coming from the North the water isn't that cold and the tourists do go swimming.

[Gator]

STOP.  The answer is Sanibel Island
 
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g34616-Sanibel_Island_Florida-Vacations.html
 
http://www.sanibel-captiva.org/sanibel-attractions-in/
 
Rise up early each morning and collect some fantastic sea shells (famous)
 
Day trip to Naples to see how the filthy rich live (plus fine shops)
 
Another day trip - Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
 
Go to Green Flash restaurant near the tip and maybe see a green flash at sunset.  Mad Hatter too.

Flats fishing for a 1/2 day is wonderful
 
Little night life however.
 
 
 
 
 

[Eduard]

STOP.  The answer is Sanibel Island
 
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g34616-Sanibel_Island_Florida-Vacations.html
 
http://www.sanibel-captiva.org/sanibel-attractions-in/
 
Rise up early each morning and collect some fantastic sea shells (famous)
 
Day trip to Naples to see how the filthy rich live (plus fine shops)
 
Another day trip - Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
 
Go to Green Flash restaurant near the tip and maybe see a green flash at sunset.  Mad Hatter too.

Flats fishing for a 1/2 day is wonderful
 
Little night life however.

yes, a beautiful place.

[Faux Pas]

The wife and I honeymooned in West Palm Beach when we got married and enjoyed it immensely. Ironically enough it was in early December that year and the weather was great. We stayed off of the beach but spent almost everyday on it. Nothing but rest and relaxation

[Hammer2722]

STOP.  The answer is Sanibel Island
 
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g34616-Sanibel_Island_Florida-Vacations.html
 
http://www.sanibel-captiva.org/sanibel-attractions-in/
 
Rise up early each morning and collect some fantastic sea shells (famous)
 
Day trip to Naples to see how the filthy rich live (plus fine shops)
 
Another day trip - Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
 
Go to Green Flash restaurant near the tip and maybe see a green flash at sunset.  Mad Hatter too.

Flats fishing for a 1/2 day is wonderful
 
Little night life however.

Thanks Gator! I believe that is it. It sounds very familiar. 

[Hammer2722]

ML,
actually the weather you experienced in Orlando is pretty standart winter weather here in FL. In the winfer we get rain only about once a month if we are lucky so it's basically sunny most of the time. Actually winters here is pure paradise! 4 or 5 times during the winter we get a cold front move in for 3 or 4 days. First we get rain then the temperature drops right away, and it can get pretty chilly at night. In fact the winters of 2009 and 2010 the temperature dipped down to 27 degrees around 6 am so we had a lot of icicles in the morning. We protect the garden and citrus trees by living water sprinklers on them all night long. They become covered with ice which actually protects them from freezing. Even flowers survive when covered by a coat of ice. Then the sun comes out ice melts and the temperature gets to about 55 or 60 and then this cycle repeats for another day or two. After the cold front passes it warms up pretty quickly and back to 75 or 80 in the day time and about 60 at night. The swimming season is over for us Floridians since about 3 weeks ago, but for people coming from the North the water isn't that cold and the tourists do go swimming.

I can most definitely agree with what Ed says here. I lived in Satellite Beach 3 years while stationed on a Navy Research ship in Cape Canaveral. I remember wearing shorts all year long.

[Eduard]

I can most definitely agree with what Ed says here. I lived in Satellite Beach 3 years while stationed on a Navy Research ship in Cape Canaveral. I remember wearing shorts all year long.

yep, shorts and sandals all year long 

[Manny]

Tampa, Sarasota or if you want the other side, Jupiter Beach (especially if an Alan Jackson fan). I like Clearwater myself.

[ML]

Thanks to all who wrote with some suggestions and advice.

A couple of weeks ago, my Gal stated that we should just stay around home during her Christmas break from University.

So we (mostly me) stopped investigating possible destination spots.

Thanks again.

[Eduard]

That'll work too!