Thank you ladies!
I didn't think much about touring bikes because they look so much like road bikes and I know for a fact that wouldn't work for me (because of the sand - it is really bad sometimes and it has been the case where it was a no-way-out deal. You have to cross it, there is no turning back)
So you think the cross overs or touring bikes have tires that are thick enough for this?

As far as bike shops go, I've checked 3 of them. One is really close to me, so I would like to buy from them because of the service being so close. However, they do tend to confuse me a lot. Is a men's bike better than a women's ? I've only spoken to men at the bike shops and they tend to agree that there is no point in getting a woman's bike. But then reading online, it makes sense that there would be bikes designed for women's bodies... so which is it?

Can you guys also tell me what specs I should be looking for? Argh... I don't feel I was this confused when I got my first CAR! Lol