From Visit Florida:
Four Florida Beaches Named Best in the U.S.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (March 17, 2008) – Four Florida beaches are being recognized as best in America by a popular online travel community. The Sunshine State dominates the list, with more Top 10 beaches in the U.S. than any other state.
Fort De Soto Park’s North Beach in Tierra Verde, near St. Petersburg, took the top spot, followed by St. Andrew’s State Park in Panama City. Miami’s South Beach ranks number five and Pensacola Beach comes in at number seven. Rankings were determined by TripAdvisor’s Popularity Index and their editors.
The acclaimed beaches are honored for their soft sand, clear waters and unique appeal. Fort De Soto Park’s North Beach is noted for its tranquility, wildlife, and historic 105-year-old Fort De Soto. St. Andrew’s State Park is recognized as a haven for nature lovers who want to explore the area’s scenery both on land and underwater. For visitors looking to enjoy sun during the day and indulge at night, South Beach offers the hottest beaches and nightlife within steps of each other. Pensacola Beach touts a family-friendly environment where kids can play in the gentle waves, while mom and dad relax on the soft sand.
“These are well-deserved kudos for Florida’s beaches, which stretch for more than 1,200 miles and offer a wide array of activities and ambiance,†said David McRee, VISIT FLORIDA’s Beach and Surf Expert, who travels across the state, blogging about beach life on VISITFLORIDA.com. “The diversity of beaches in Florida provides the perfect atmosphere to accommodate any beachgoer’s preferences.â€
This isn’t the first time Florida beaches have received national accolades. Dr. Stephen Leatherman (a.k.a. Dr. Beach) recognized three of Florida’s beaches on his highly regarded annual Top 10 Beaches list in 2007. Caladesi Island State Park in Clearwater, Lighthouse Point Park in Daytona Beach and Siesta Beach in Sarasota ranked two, nine and ten, respectively.