West Coast of Florida
What is the most scenic route to take to explore the West coast of Florida (Old Florida), in a motorhome?? Thanks
Forum Discussion
We snowbird in Crystal River, FL. Taking US19 south of I-10 you will drive on an accessible 4 lane through a lot of forest and a few small towns. US98 heading east to US19/Perry would follow the gulf on the south side of the panhandle.
There are some interesting stops off US19 as you head south. You may want to take SR24 west to Cedar Key. It's a small town on the water. I bought a t-shirt there a few years ago that said: Cedar Key - Old Florida. It has been said Cedar Key is what Key West was like many years ago. There are a few RV parks along SR24.
The Crystal River/Homosassa area is a great place to stay. There are several RV parks in the area. We spend 4 months at Rock Crusher Canyon RV Park. It's a nice park that gives you a state park feel with plenty of trees & shrubs between most sites. There's also a nice pool area. The area is known for lots of manatees and you can find places where you can rent kayaks and get close to them or even swim with them.
The two main rivers are the Crystal River that flows west from US19 at Kings Bayin downtown CR. The Homosassa River has a different personality and one we prefer. Take Halls River Road from US19 west and take the first main split to the left. It goes past the Ellie Shiller visitor center and worth a stop. The road goes west to an area called Old Homosassa. You go right to the river there where you'll find some interesting local eateries; The Freezer (great shrimp & clam chowder) and McCray's - The Shed. McCrays is right on the river where you can rent a pontoon, have a beer or two, and get something to eat. There are some RV parks out this way, but during certain times you run into no-seeums when closer to the water.
You can continue south and rather than take US19 down to Weeki Wachee and further south toward Tampa you can head east at US98. You can take that all the way to I-75 or you can take the toll road 598 south toward Tampa. If you got south toward Tampa on the toll road you can catch I-275 just south of the airport and head west to the ocean. It's not exactly RV friendly in the area near the ocean, but you can take the I-275 Skyway Bridge back to I-75 south of Tampa.
We originally travelled south along I-75 to Naples and then over toward Miami on US41. There are several RV parks and/or state parks where you can access the Gulf and several well known beaches along the way south. Venice is nice and not so crowded like Bradenton & Sarasota areas. Myakka State Park is nice with plenty of wildlife & birds. Riverside RV Resort east of I-75 about 4-5 miles is nice for a stay and where you can explore the area. Arcadia, further east, is known as an antiques hot spot.
There are some interesting stops off US19 as you head south. You may want to take SR24 west to Cedar Key. It's a small town on the water. I bought a t-shirt there a few years ago that said: Cedar Key - Old Florida. It has been said Cedar Key is what Key West was like many years ago. There are a few RV parks along SR24.
The Crystal River/Homosassa area is a great place to stay. There are several RV parks in the area. We spend 4 months at Rock Crusher Canyon RV Park. It's a nice park that gives you a state park feel with plenty of trees & shrubs between most sites. There's also a nice pool area. The area is known for lots of manatees and you can find places where you can rent kayaks and get close to them or even swim with them.
The two main rivers are the Crystal River that flows west from US19 at Kings Bayin downtown CR. The Homosassa River has a different personality and one we prefer. Take Halls River Road from US19 west and take the first main split to the left. It goes past the Ellie Shiller visitor center and worth a stop. The road goes west to an area called Old Homosassa. You go right to the river there where you'll find some interesting local eateries; The Freezer (great shrimp & clam chowder) and McCray's - The Shed. McCrays is right on the river where you can rent a pontoon, have a beer or two, and get something to eat. There are some RV parks out this way, but during certain times you run into no-seeums when closer to the water.
You can continue south and rather than take US19 down to Weeki Wachee and further south toward Tampa you can head east at US98. You can take that all the way to I-75 or you can take the toll road 598 south toward Tampa. If you got south toward Tampa on the toll road you can catch I-275 just south of the airport and head west to the ocean. It's not exactly RV friendly in the area near the ocean, but you can take the I-275 Skyway Bridge back to I-75 south of Tampa.
We originally travelled south along I-75 to Naples and then over toward Miami on US41. There are several RV parks and/or state parks where you can access the Gulf and several well known beaches along the way south. Venice is nice and not so crowded like Bradenton & Sarasota areas. Myakka State Park is nice with plenty of wildlife & birds. Riverside RV Resort east of I-75 about 4-5 miles is nice for a stay and where you can explore the area. Arcadia, further east, is known as an antiques hot spot.
