Which beach?
 

I have friends coming over at the end of March looking for some sand. Now I live in central florida, so I'd prefer to use MCO, but DAB is manageable. Which beach should I recommend? They'd like to spend a little less than a week in a rental house or cheap motel and be able to walk to places so they don't have to rent a car. Would y'all recommend Panhandle/West&GulfCoast/EastCoast/Miami/Keys for their budget vacation? Any cheap convenient hotel ideas? How about Daytona Beach Airport- are there shuttles to get to the beachfront hotels?
I should know more about beaches living in FL but I guess I'm too busy flying and writing on FT. :D

Daytona
 

I think Daytona, though it's not my favorite beach, it seems to meet the criteria for your friends visit. Daytona still has many small family owned hotels, careful searching can find clean beachfront properties in the $50 range. I think there is a publication on small properties (try the visitor center). Daytona is do-able without a car and there are lots of activities. I think Bike Week is early March you'll want to check this out first. Enjoy your visit.

For my money, and I have not been everywhere in the world, there are no prettier beaches anywhere in the world that the Destin area. That time of year may be dicey.

Sanibel Island may be a safer bet that time of the year.

http://www.fortmyers-sanibel.com/

thanks for the replies

if you could list a few that would be very appreciated. Thanks.

4 of my friends and I did Spring Break 2002 in Panama City Beach. Hands down, the best time of my life.

Just avoid Hooters and watch for frisbees... Ask JCooke about that one!