Orlando and Central Florida have so much to offer and today, I am letting you in on a locals’ secret! Just don’t tell anyone I told you 🙂

Fort de Soto is the perfect day trip from Orlando

The beauty of Orlando is its location. If you’re looking to spend a day at the beach, you get to pick from two coasts, within driving distance of the attractions! The Atlantic coast offers more waves, white sand, and refreshing waters. The Gulf coast has much calmer and warmer seas, more fish if snorkeling, and less wind. Our top beach, about 90 minutes from the attractions, is located inside a beautiful county park called Fort de Soto Park in St. Petersburg, FL!

Getting There

If you are familiar with Orlando, you have driven on I-4 before. If this will be your first time in Orlando, you will soon be very familiar with I-4, the main highway taking you pretty much anywhere you need to be. Hop on I-4 West towards Tampa, merge onto the I-275S about 60 miles in, and take exit 17. From there, the park will be indicated.

Please note: the state park has an entrance fee of $5 per vehicle and only accepts cash! No debit / credit card will get you in!

Those will be the best $5 you’ll spend on your trip to Central Florida, believe me!

Fort de Soto is one of the most beautiful beaches on the Gulf of Mexico

Once you enter the park, you have several options. Straight ahead is a dog beach. If you are planning a beach day with your furry friend, this is one of the only beaches that will allow them in the fun!

We typically make the first right to get to North Beach. On the left hand-side is the historic Fort de Soto, which makes for a nice visit. The kids will love the gigantic canons! We usually skip the fort visit and go straight to the beach.

Fort de Soto Beach is very natural, including a array of Florida birds

Leaving the fort behind you, enter the parking lot as soon as you see the snack bar indicated. Make a left as you get in the parking lot and park your car by the sandy trail leading to the beach!

Fort De Soto Beach Amenities

Not only is the beach one of the nicest ones in the state, and definitely the nicest beach within driving distance of Orlando in our books, but the amenities are top-notch!

The nature is everywhere at Fort de Soto park, all the way to the beach itself

If you park where we suggested, you will have access to the following amenities:

snack bar – if you don’t feel like packing a snack or lunch, you don’t have to!
playground
coal grills

shaded areas if you wanted to host a party or BBQ
outdoor showers
INDOOR SHOWERS and BATHROOMS – this one totally does it for us! We get to wash everyone with soft water before heading home! No sandy feet, no salty hair, rinsed swimsuits, we’re all clean and ready for the drive home!!

beach chairs and umbrellas for rent

The Beach

Natural beach at Fort de Soto Beach - best beach within driving distance of Orlando

The beach is absolutely beautiful. One of the reasons why I like it so much (all of you know that I am not a city person) is that it is surrounded by nature. Since the beach is inside a county park, the ocean is facing Florida nature. There are no building / hotel to be seen and you can’t even see the street.

Fort de Soto Beach is a very natural beaches with no buildings in the background, but a wonderful nature and fauna

I also love the crowd. Fort de Soto Park is still very little known of tourists, who usually flood renown beaches in Sarasota and Long Boat Key. The day that we took those pictures was actually a really crowded summer day, and as you can see, there is no feeling of mass.

Fort de Soto Beach, near Orlando, FL, is the perfect beach to come with children

The water is very shallow and it is the perfect beach to bring in little children!

Fort de Soto Beach usually have very little wind and mild waves

In the summer, expect really warm water, probably in the low to mid-80’s. I am a big fan of warm water and this makes it the perfect beach. In all honesty, the entire Gulf coast has really warm water and is a fun place to visit with kids!

Fort de Soto Beach, a day trip from Orlando, is the perfect beach for families with children

The wind and waves are usually very mild. Sure enough, the day we took those pictures was a very windy day, which I think was our first time in several years going there.

Fort de Soto Beach has very shallow waters, making it the perfect beach to bring little kids

That sand… white and powdering, but also extremely clean. Since it is mostly locals visiting, they take excellent care of the beach and its surroundings.

Fort de Soto beach offers amazing service, including lifeguards most of the year

Another amazing things about Fort de Soto is that the beach is life guarded most of the year! Now, for $5 the entire day, that’s an amazing perk!! This also makes Fort de Soto one of the most family-friendly beaches near Orlando!

Final Thoughts

Fort de Soto is our happy place and a Central Floridians' secret

We love Fort de Soto Park. It is our little place of heaven and a very easy drive from Orlando, making it the perfect day trip from the attractions. You will leave all worries behind, and if you’re a local, you will definitely feel like you are on vacation.

If you get to visit, please send us a picture or leave a comment below. We love hearing from you!

Looking for a day trip from Orlando, FL, where the whole family will enjoy themselves at the beach? Look no further, Fort de Soto has it all! Beautiful beach, stunning nature, amenities and lifeguards! This is your day trip from Orlando