Vero Beach

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Slightly less crazy than the party scene at Cocoa, Vero Beach has the same gorgeous ocean views as the rest of Florida’s Treasure Coast, but with a bit less Spring Break-style bustle. While Vero is not quite as sleepy as it once was, it still is a bit more of a simple beach trip.

There’s plenty of shopping and entertainment on the Miracle Mile — a walkable stretch of stores at the heart of Vero. And, while the beach itself is beautiful and calm, Vero has enough local inhabitants that it isn’t missing the essentials for a longer vacation — like a movie theater, shopping, and good grocery stores. It's so homey, the Los Angeles Dodgers used to play their Spring Training games in a special neighborhood called, "Dodgertown."

As an added bonus, for those who still want a tiny bit of Disney flavor, there’s the exquisite Disney’s Vero Beach Resort nearby — offering the same fun and amenities you’d expect from a Disney resort, but on the ocean.

Captiva Island

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Meanwhile, on the Gulf Coast of Florida, life is much more serene. The pace of civilization on the west side of the state is much slower, the beaches are much quieter, and the way of life is simpler. Even in relatively built-up Captiva Island, the essence of Florida’s Gulf side is still intact.

Captiva Island has a reputation for being an escape for the wealthiest Americans, with the island filled with enormous mansions and second-homes — nicknamed Millionaire’s Row. But, there’s still a bustling tourist community and vacation rental opportunities.

The way of life is fairly simple in Captiva, so don’t go expecting the high-energy of Walt Disney World or even a larger beach town. The biggest tourist attraction, aside from the exquisite beaches, is the kitschy restaurant The Bubble Room, offering up fun design quirks and fantastic cake.

Captiva is probably what you’re picturing in your mind when you picture Florida.

Naples

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Combining the glitz of Captiva Island with the feel of an Atlantic Coast beach town, Naples is a kind of wealthy retreat for the new money, cosmopolitan yuppie crowd.

There’s plenty to do, with movie theaters, shopping, great food, and wonderful beaches easily accessible. And, with a large number of wealthy retirees on hand, Naples feels much more like an upscale community in New Jersey than it does a beach town in Southwest Florida. Still, the Gulf Coast is as gorgeous as ever in Naples, and with plenty of condos on hand, it’s fairly easy to find somewhere to stay near the water.

Owing to the relatively well-off population, there’s also a tremendous amount of culture in the area, including performing arts and museums — as well as easy access to Florida’s natural playgrounds like the Everglades.

In all, Naples can be pricey, but it is every bit as luxurious a vacation destination as the price tag would suggest.