Beach vacation~Destin/Gulf Shores?

[*disgal*]

Wow, you guys have given me more to ponder over! The thing is.. I think I would rather have a house than a condo. Also, I am not interested in crowds. So from looking at vrbo, it seems that the Destin area has higher priced houses in little subdivisions whereas the Gulf Shores area has lower priced houses right on the beach.
We would really prefer an uncrowded laid back place with 20-30 minute access to the fun and food. I found alot of reasonable houses in Fort Morgan, which seems rather uncrowded and about 20 min from Gulf Shores. Does anyone know anything about this area?
I think the pics of the Destin beaches are beautiful, but not the crowds! Also, I know that the SWalton area is supposed to be better in terms of crowds but how much better?

well it depends when you go. We were there in '09, I think? and it was the week after all the schools in Louisiana and Alabama had spring break. It was deserted. My kids and one other family had the pool to ourselves all week.

Sorry, can't remember when you said you were going. If it's summer, yes, Destin is going to be busy but I would think anywhere down there in the summer is busy.

For a house, I only know of the ones I looked at on vrbo.com for the south walton beaches. Some of them had great deals but maybe compared to Gulf Shores it's not as good of a deal, I don't know. So a house at GS might be better.

 

[*disgal*]

oh, forgot to add.......on Okaloosa island, the condo places are not allowed to be over 7 stories so it's quite a bit different than Destin.

Also, isn't Gulf Shores the one with all the absolutely huge condo buildings? is it just one section? maybe Orange beach would be better, I'm not sure what that one is like. I just remember seeing the places on vrbo for GS. Anywhere you have big buildings you are going to have crowds in the summer, though, right? That would make sense. I'm sure some weeks are better than others.

 

[horseshowmom]

oh, forgot to add.......on Okaloosa island, the condo places are not allowed to be over 7 stories so it's quite a bit different than Destin.

Also, isn't Gulf Shores the one with all the absolutely huge condo buildings? is it just one section? maybe Orange beach would be better, I'm not sure what that one is like. I just remember seeing the places on vrbo for GS. Anywhere you have big buildings you are going to have crowds in the summer, though, right? That would make sense. I'm sure some weeks are better than others.

I think Orange Beach is the one with the huge condo complexes.

 

[*disgal*]

I think Orange Beach is the one with the huge condo complexes.

oh, wow, maybe both of them have them. Look at Gulf Shores East on vrbo and you see a few huge towers. But like I said, maybe that is just in one section and not another?

It sure is fun looking at all of them though....and dreaming. I don't even have a trip planned for there and I'm looking at all the places! I think I really need a vacation.

 

[horseshowmom]

We stayed on the east side, but I could have forgotten some of the large ones (sadly, very possible! ). Ours wasn't that way.

I have been leaning towards OB if we go back, but we loved Destin so much that I don't know if we'll go back to the GS/OB area or not.

 

[*disgal*]

We stayed on the east side, but I could have forgotten some of the large ones (sadly, very possible! ). Ours wasn't that way.

I have been leaning towards OB if we go back, but we loved Destin so much that I don't know if we'll go back to the GS/OB area or not.

yeah, that's what I was wondering. The big ones remind me of when we were in Destin and made a trip over to Pensacola...on the way we passed Navarre (sp?) Beach. YOu could see the condo buildings in the distance. They were mammoth, even from a distance! I can imagine during the summer you get about 5 square feet of beach space for your family.

 

[laceemouse]

yeah, that's what I was wondering. The big ones remind me of when we were in Destin and made a trip over to Pensacola...on the way we passed Navarre (sp?) Beach. YOu could see the condo buildings in the distance. They were mammoth, even from a distance! I can imagine during the summer you get about 5 square feet of beach space for your family.

We love Pensacola Beach and plan to retire there. There is a section with short condos, but there is a huge section with just pastel houses, so cute! And Pensacola has a lot to do like the Navy Base and museums and antique shops, and lots of good places too eat.

 

[TnTWalter]

Ever considered Anna Maria Island. My dream place. Very quiet uncrowded laid back. No high rises. White sand beautiful water.

I blogged about our trip.
http://waltersvisitami.blogspot.com/

 

[Mom2aJessieGirl]

Lots of quotes...bear with me. Let me start by saying that we rent along the same area of West Beach Blvd in Gulf Shores every year (for about 15 years now...since I was a teenager!) and I LOVE IT! I've also been to several other beaches along the Gulf Coast including Destin.

And, if you are a Jimmy Buffett fan, his sister, Lucy Buffett, owns a great restaurant in Gulf Shores called Lulu's. Every now and then, he pops in unannounced and plays a bit...

Lulu's is such a fun place. My daughter BEGS to go there. I wear my hot pink Lulu's T Shirt all the time in the blustery winter here in Michigan! I can't wait for Jimmy to pop in one day...it would make me fall on the floor!

My folks were eating there a few weeks ago and we were able to find them on their live webcams. I was a little jealous!

There is a ton of stuff to do, beautiful beaches and some great restaurants. Check out King Neptunes a little hole in the wall but great food. Also a lot less expensive than Destin/Ft.Walton area. Check out vrbo.com vacation rentals by owner. Great site rent straight from the owners.

And King Neptunes? One of our favorite restaurants ever. I mean it. I could eat a whole basket of their onion rings and a plate of their crab cakes ANY day!!! We have a whole list of our "favorites" but King Neptunes usually requires 2 visits during the week we are there!

Wow, you guys have given me more to ponder over! The thing is.. I think I would rather have a house than a condo. Also, I am not interested in crowds. So from looking at vrbo, it seems that the Destin area has higher priced houses in little subdivisions whereas the Gulf Shores area has lower priced houses right on the beach.
We would really prefer an uncrowded laid back place with 20-30 minute access to the fun and food. I found alot of reasonable houses in Fort Morgan, which seems rather uncrowded and about 20 min from Gulf Shores. Does anyone know anything about this area?
I think the pics of the Destin beaches are beautiful, but not the crowds! Also, I know that the SWalton area is supposed to be better in terms of crowds but how much better?

We rent a house from Kaiser Realty in Gulf Shores. It's on West Beach Boulevard...very private. We typically leave our chairs, toys, and umbrellas down on the beach for the whole stay and trek back and forth to the house. The beach is the "backyard" for the house. It's about 6 miles from the main intersection, so it's fairly removed from the "city hubub" without being so far away as Ft. Morgan. I do have friends that rent at Ft. Morgan, and they have been pleased with those houses as well.

Also, isn't Gulf Shores the one with all the absolutely huge condo buildings? is it just one section? maybe Orange beach would be better, I'm not sure what that one is like. I just remember seeing the places on vrbo for GS. Anywhere you have big buildings you are going to have crowds in the summer, though, right? That would make sense. I'm sure some weeks are better than others.

Orange Beach and Gulf Shores both have high rise condos, but if you get a house fairly far down the boulevard, you aren't near those buildings!



I hope this helps you. I love it in Gulf Shores. I can't wait to go this summer!

 

[BABY_EINSTEIN'S_MOM]

Thanks for all of the comments so far.. so many choices! Still looking through vrbo and some of the other rental places.

 

[arnie300]

You will love the Ft. Morgan area. Very quiet away from all the hustle and bustle but just 10 to 15 minutes to everything. We have rented numerous house in that area. As a matter of fact I have to get off the computer and finish packing the car we are heading there in the am.

 

[bkaz]

I have to agree that it depends on what you are looking for. We have stayed in Fort Morgan many times...renting homes either just for our family or with other friends. We LOVE the fact that it is remote, quiet, and seems like you have the beach to yourself. Until they built the Beach Club to the east of Gulf Shores Plantation there were no high rise buildings. Mostly just homes and small condo developments down towards the far west end.

However, I must also say that as our kids have gotten older...and compared to a Disny trip...there is not a lot to do in Fort Morgan other than enjoy the beach. Some communities have pools...many do not...so some of the times that we went it was just beach & ocean, which I love, but my kids wanted more. It is about a 20-25 minute drive from Fort Morgan into Gulf Shores...where you can find some restaurants, t-shirt shops, mini-golf and outlet shops...but still not as many activities as in Destin.

That being said, we are heading to Destin this summer for a family reunion and are a bit nervous about the crowds compared to what we are used to!

 

[wimom02]

We've stayed at Sandestin resort twice and then did a family reunion at a house in Seagrove Beach right (SWalton area). LOVED the South Walton area. Not as much going on as Destin, but a huge difference in crowds on the beach. We were there in July and the beaches were so uncrowded. There are lots of houses for rent in the area. My brother' family used to go to Destin, and they now rent houses in the Beaches of South Walton area instead. The house we rented was across the road from the beach. I was worried about that, but it was easy to cross with babies and beach gear. The area has a nice low-key feel. If you're looking for a beach/pool relaxing vacation - the area is great. We've always use VRBO. There are also nice condos in that area. Most are not high rises. My family loves the Seagrove Beach area (between Seaside and Rosemary Beach/Seacrest).

Summers Edge, Villas at Seagrove Beach (condos), Magnolia Cottages by the Sea and Cottages of Camp Creek (Seacrest Beach) are nice options not knowing your budget and family size.

 

[Wadecool]

I like the beaches of South Walton County, between Destin and Panama City Beach. They're more quiet & quaint; more low rise condos and beach houses of every size, rather than high rises. A lot of nice shops and restaurants. And if you want a little more action, Destin and Panama City Beach are less than an hour drive.

http://www.beachesofsouthwalton.com/

Another vote here for the beaches of South Walton County! We stay in Rosemary Beach near the end of Hwy 30A, approximately 10 minutes from Panama City Beach. If you want to shop, eat out, etc, it's all down in that direction. But otherwise, the area is very quiet with very little noise, traffic, or hustle & bustle. We usually drive down to Destin (about a 30 min drive) one night during the week for dinner at Hogs Breath Saloon (great food, btw) and as we're sitting in bumper
to bumper traffic 3 lanes across, inching along at 2 mph for what seems like forever, DW and I
look at each other and say "No way does this look at all like fun to us."

 

[BABY_EINSTEIN'S_MOM]

Wow, my head is still spinning with all of the great replies. I am finding it so hard to even decide which area I want, much less find a place! I was so stressed about it today that I called Disney and priced a vacation since I got the FD pin! LOL But I really do think we should do the beach this year instead, and my older kids want to as well (ds6 is not so sure!).

If anyone would like to recommend a certain area, I would love to look at some recommended houses/condos(preferably houses). Or if you have rented and liked something, let me know! Here is some info..We are a family of 5( me, dh, ds15, dd11, ds6). I really don't want to spend anymore than 2,000 and would obviously prefer less if possible. We like the beach, but I think the kids may need some more entertainment as well. I know that they would love things like the go karts, pools/water parks,
animals/dolphins, etc. We also love to have a nice dinner out at night! Any more ideas are appreciated!

 

[henryk67]

Worked at the GE factory in Pensacola for 2 weeks but stayed in a hotel on Pensacola Beach. When we finished work for the day, we drove back to the hotel, grabbed our towels and went for a swim in the Gulf Of Mexico every day. That was amazing for 4 guys from Scotland. Friday & Saturday night in The Dock & Bamboo Willies was brilliant.

 

[*disgal*]

I have to agree that it depends on what you are looking for. We have stayed in Fort Morgan many times...renting homes either just for our family or with other friends. We LOVE the fact that it is remote, quiet, and seems like you have the beach to yourself. Until they built the Beach Club to the east of Gulf Shores Plantation there were no high rise buildings. Mostly just homes and small condo developments down towards the far west end.

However, I must also say that as our kids have gotten older...and compared to a Disny trip...there is not a lot to do in Fort Morgan other than enjoy the beach. Some communities have pools...many do not...so some of the times that we went it was just beach & ocean, which I love, but my kids wanted more. It is about a 20-25 minute drive from Fort Morgan into Gulf Shores...where you can find some restaurants, t-shirt shops, mini-golf and outlet shops...but still not as many activities as in Destin.

That being said, we are heading to Destin this summer for a family reunion and are a bit nervous about the crowds compared to what we are used to!

I totally know what you mean. It's like I don't want the beach packed with people and or these monstrosities for buildings. But yet I want activities and amenities at my doorstep.

When we were at Destin(Ft. Walton) it wasn't very busy at all. I'm sure I wouldn't like it in July! But if we ever go back in the summer I'd like to try South Walton.

 

[Darkside]

I am a local property owner here in Destin. There are 3 major shopping centers: Destin Commons(Rave Theater and Hard Rock Cafe'), Silver Sands Outlet Mall(you name it, it's there), and Grand Blvd(nice upscale restaurants and shops).Kids: Big Kahuna's Water Park(buy a season pass now,cheap as a one day trip),Dolphin Cruise, Jetski rentals, parasailing, the beach. Adults: Golf courses(19+ courses?), Deep sea fishing and local nightlife. Restaurants:Staff's(Ft. Walton, oldest seafood restaurant in Florida),Harbor Docks(great Suishi), Sealand(across the street from Staff's in Ft. Walton,1/2 price meals before 6:30), Hightide(Okaloosa Island, nice seafood baskets and sandwiches). These companies manage most of the beach rental properties: Resort Quest, Newman-Dailey, and Southern Resorts.

 

[ToddyLu]

Any of the areas you pick are lovely. I do not think you will be disappointed with any thing. If you want a nice day trip, you could drive over to Biloxi. There are casinos (I now the kids and maybe you do not gamble) which are very nice especially the Beau Rivage which is on Hwy 90. You will be about 100 miles if staying in Gulf Shores. New Orleans is just another 50 from there. New Orleans is fun with the Riverwalk, MS River Cruises and Audobon Zoo. Maybe you could do a night....just thinking of a couple of other options while you are in our area. I do not think folks realize that Pensacola and New Orleans are only about 200 miles apart.....best party, fun and family places in the world. We live 100 miles form each.

IMHO if you are looking for a beach house that is more remote and spending lots of family time, pick Ft. Morgan. If you want souvenirs and dinning go for Destin. Between those two places you will get a dose of both.

 

[ToddyLu]

Silver Sands Outlet Mall(you name it, it's there)

This place is terrific and worth the 3 hour drive from my house