Cliff denizens, your favorite beach for a day trip.

SInce we have pretty much given up on the beach resorts and now do only a cliff resort year after year, the beach has become a somewhat distant memory.

We are putting one beach day on the itinerary this year. Any regular cliff vacationers that are willing to give some ideas on where to go for the day on the beach? Wife has one two requirements, shade and hopefully a good vendor traffic. We tried the boardwalk place (the exact name escapes me) last year, it was ok. When I'm not staying somewhere, I kind of feel bad sitting in front of their hotel.

I'm contemplating renting a room at one of the spots, just so she has a place to use the facilities in peace, and a bit of AC if necessary.

i would suggest to you the White Sands. plenty of shade options, and a great social bar ! Rooms are basic, but clean and lots of hot water, and good ac.

Charela Inn....Plenty of palm trees for shade, quiet atmosphere, great location, excellent food, (pricey drinks). SunBeach.......Umbrellas for shade, music (sometimes live, otherwise cds), cool vibe, great bar, fair food......both places you will see plenty of vendor action!

For 33 years, I would have said Cosmo's, but they recently closed. I'm thinking about the public park next door until the future of Cosmo's sorts itself out.

Like you, we are exclusively cliff dwellers. For a day at the beach, we go to Sun Beach. Good food and drink, nice vibes and plenty of vendor action. The staff keeps the hassle away, too. Plenty of shade under umbrellas, at the bar or in the restaurant.

We've tried the Boardwalk Village, too. I found it to be expensive and the vibe was lacking.

I agree with Mike D <when I stay in the cliffs its usually Sun beach for beach

The Last Mango Bar at Yellow Bird. Plenty of shade, lots of beach traffic, great 2 for 1 drink specials!

We went to Sun Beach the first year at the recommendation of our driver. We went back the last two years also. It's convenient and the drinks are good and reasonably priced. Food is good also or you can eat at Best in the West across the street first. They have plenty of loungers that they don't mind you using if you buy a drink or two.

Also last year we went to Canoe bar for happy hour and had fun hanging out at their little beach and you can swim there too. There are a couple great shade trees.

Sun Beach is cool and right next to my fav spot, Firefly. Firefly has a nice deck that you can sit on and get a formal sit down lunch if you want to get off the sand, although lunch for me is typically patties from norman and what ever fruit i have left from breakfast.

How are the vendors down by sun beach (wife wants shopping to come to her this year).

When we stay at Catcha, our driver drops us off at Margarittaville. We grab some onion rings and an ice cold red stripe at the little beach bar and relax. Then, we hang a left and walk down the beach and enjoy other beach spots for more cocktails.

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Originally Posted by Hussyband

How are the vendors down by sun beach (wife wants shopping to come to her this year).

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The same as anywhere else on the beach since they're just walking up and down

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Originally Posted by Hussyband

How are the vendors down by sun beach (wife wants shopping to come to her this year).

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You'll see everyone that is working/walking throughout the day; hat guy, flag/bandana guy, carvers, shells, beads, bracelets, baskets CDs, sketch artists, pork, lobster, fruit, patties etc. It's still a busy section of the beach.

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Originally Posted by Hussyband

How are the vendors down by sun beach (wife wants shopping to come to her this year).

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During the busy season, you will likely find a jewelry vendor and a massage person stationed at Sun Beach. They are not aggressive at all, but it's nice to have some diversions onsite if you want to browse. As others said, the usual patty, fruit, juice, ice cream vendors will stop by. You will also get bracelet guys etc., but the staff will quickly shoo them away if they become annoying. Dennis the Menace runs the place and takes good care of his customers.

Charela

Didn't see the ice cream man in January

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Originally Posted by Ras Walleye

The Last Mango Bar at Yellow Bird. Plenty of shade, lots of beach traffic, great 2 for 1 drink specials!

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I don't know how many times I have been to Yellow Bird .... but I never knew it was called The Last Mango Bar! Huh. You learn something new every day!

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Originally Posted by Kimbobwee

Charela Inn....Plenty of palm trees for shade, quiet atmosphere, great location, excellent food, (pricey drinks). SunBeach.......Umbrellas for shade, music (sometimes live, otherwise cds), cool vibe, great bar, fair food......both places you will see plenty of vendor action!

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Charela is a great choice! They have a day pass you can purchase for USD25.00. That $25 goes toward your food and bar bill (they warn you when you have $10 left)., You can use the pool, too. Good food! Large portions, though.

My first choice would be Sun Beach - but that's because I love Alicia!