Florida Panhandle beaches

[luvflorida]

I've spent countless hours researching beaches in the Panhandle in preparation for a June 2013 vacation. I'm finding it overwhelming. There are so many different areas and beaches in the Panhandle.

So, here is what I'm going to do. I'll post exactly what I'm looking for and hopefully someone here can tell me whether or not it exists.

We're looking to rent a house on, or within a very short walking distance, to the beach for two weeks in June '13. We're not looking for a condo or hotel/motel. I'm looking for a beach that has fairly calm water, no rough waves.

We are not interested in night life (clubs, partying) or expensive, fancy restaurants. It would be nice to be within walking distance of family friendly "beachy" type restaurants and shopping. We like quiet, but not too remote. We would enjoy things like bicycle paths and mini-golf.

There will be six adults and two children, ages 4 1/2 and 2.

I have a magazine "Beaches Resorts and Parks" that has lots of info on Florida's Northwest Coast, and I see that South Walton alone has 15 different beach neighborhoods. Are the various neighborhoods reallly that much different from one another? Are there areas to steer clear of?

Any help from anyone familiar with the Panhandle beaches would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Irish9697]

South Walton County is your best bet. Even then though, walkable family beach restaurants might be a little tough. We love, love Seagrove Beach, but have also stayed at Grayton Beach which is great too. Other beach towns are Seacrest, Seaside, Rosemary, Inlet, Blue Mountain, Santa Rosa, etc. All are very family friendly and very low key. Rental homes vs. condos are the norm. In some places, you can walk to stuff, but if not, you're only a mile or two down the road.

As for waves, this area generally is calm with little to no waves. But, put any little action in the gulf, and you might get surf-worthy waves. The earlier you go in May/June the better. Any storm in the gulf picks up waves. We were there June 17-24 and had yellow flag the first half of the week (which means decent waves) and red the last half (pretty wild waves and rip current risk), but I've been there at green flag times lots too (water is smooth).

 

[Mickey Fliers]

As for waves, that is a daily change. Some days the water is smooth as glass and the next we have super waves. If you want a guarantee of no waves, you need a sound.

 

[si-am]

My grandparents used to have a house on Mexico Beach, and I spent a lot of time there growing up. It's about 20 minutes south of Panama City, so you can drive there for action, but Mexico Beach itself is pretty quiet (although slowly building up). Seems to meet all of your criteria, OP!

http://www.mexicobeach.com/cdc/

 

[luvmyfam444]

I grew up near Pensacola Beach. (my family still lives near - we were just there last weekend) It would be exactly what you like. you can go to the gulf where of course there are waves some -you just watch the flags that tell you if its calm or not. Or you cross over to the sound where there are no waves. Great restaurants. Tons of houses to rent....you can go to vrbo.com & search from them.

 

[kkacar]

South Walton County is your best bet. Even then though, walkable family beach restaurants might be a little tough. We love, love Seagrove Beach, but have also stayed at Grayton Beach which is great too. Other beach towns are Seacrest, Seaside, Rosemary, Inlet, Blue Mountain, Santa Rosa, etc. All are very family friendly and very low key. Rental homes vs. condos are the norm. In some places, you can walk to stuff, but if not, you're only a mile or two down the road.

As for waves, this area generally is calm with little to no waves. But, put any little action in the gulf, and you might get surf-worthy waves. The earlier you go in May/June the better. Any storm in the gulf picks up waves. We were there June 17-24 and had yellow flag the first half of the week (which means decent waves) and red the last half (pretty wild waves and rip current risk), but I've been there at green flag times lots too (water is smooth).

I will agree with you on that! South Walton is the place. I live and work in South Walton. It truly has something for everyone. You can check out all 15 distinct neighborhoods at VisitSouthWalton.Com. Please feel free to ask me any questions, I am happy to help.

Kelli

 

[Gumbo4x4]

We're looking to rent a house on, or within a very short walking distance, to the beach for two weeks in June '13.

I can't help with any of the rest, so I'll just throw this one in there - ON the beach beats the snot out of "short walking distance". Been there, done that

 

[luvflorida]

South Walton County is your best bet. Even then though, walkable family beach restaurants might be a little tough. We love, love Seagrove Beach, but have also stayed at Grayton Beach which is great too. Other beach towns are Seacrest, Seaside, Rosemary, Inlet, Blue Mountain, Santa Rosa, etc. All are very family friendly and very low key. Rental homes vs. condos are the norm. In some places, you can walk to stuff, but if not, you're only a mile or two down the road.

I will agree with you on that! South Walton is the place. I live and work in South Walton. It truly has something for everyone. You can check out all 15 distinct neighborhoods at VisitSouthWalton.Com. Please feel free to ask me any questions, I am happy to help.

Kelli

This is where I'm confused. Are the beaches really different from one another, or do all of the South Walton beach neighborhoods match what I'm looking for?

Thanks for the link! I'll check it out!

 

[iheartdisney]

I am very partial to Pensacola also.
Pensacola Beach itself is on an island, so you can choose between the "wavy beach" (gulf side of the island) and the "baby beach" (sound side of the island. Otherwise affectionately known as Stretch Mark Beach. lol)

 

[luvflorida]

I grew up near Pensacola Beach. (my family still lives near - we were just there last weekend) It would be exactly what you like. you can go to the gulf where of course there are waves some -you just watch the flags that tell you if its calm or not. Or you cross over to the sound where there are no waves. Great restaurants. Tons of houses to rent....you can go to vrbo.com & search from them.

Thanks so much! I'll check out Pensacola, too!

 

[luvflorida]

I've looked at and read the descriptions of the 15 beach neighborhoods, but I'm still confused. They're listed as "distinct" neighborhoods all with a particular feel to them, but I've also read reviews saying there isn't a lot of difference among the areas.

From what I'm reading, all the beaches in the Panhandle look very nice. Maybe I'm thinking too hard on this and it doesn't really matter which beach we choose?

 

[ilovejack02]

Navarre beach is very very quiet.

 

[dizzi]

not to confuse you anymore than you already are.....

BUT, ? will you have a car?

Have you thought about going down into Florida anyfurther?

Captiva island and Sanibel island are awesome.

Especially if you have 2 weeks.

 

[newddmommie]

All the beaches in South Walton are very nice. Be prepared to pay a pretty penny during the summer for a beach house depending on which town you'd like to stay in. The various towns (Seaside, Water Colour, Rosemary Beach) are very similiar but they are separate towns with different personalties. I prefer Seaside just because it feels cozier to me, but we only stay out there in the winter (since we live in the Destin area). The waves generally aren't too terrible unless there is a storm in the gulf. I'm sure you'll have a great trip no matter where you end up.

 

[minkydog]

I am very partial to Pensacola also.
Pensacola Beach itself is on an island, so you can choose between the "wavy beach" (gulf side of the island) and the "baby beach" (sound side of the island. Otherwise affectionately known as Stretch Mark Beach. lol)

I love P'cola Beach, too. When we lived in P'cola we used to go down there early in the morning to hit the Gulf side, which is usually very calm in the mornings. I liked the Sound side in the afternoons. Also, P'cola Beach adjoins Gulf National Seashore, a lonnnng expanse of undeveloped beach. If you want to see what the islands looked like before their were condos, bars and restaurants take a drive east down the beach to Navarre.

 

[The Wise One]

I live across the Mid-Bay bridge from Destin. I also agree South Walton is the best. You would most likely enjoy Seaside. It's a lovely town and you can walk/bike anywhere.

 

[newddmommie]

The Wise One: I live in Niceville too. Small world..

 

[The Wise One]

Very small world indeed!

 

[Wishing on a star]

Seaside might fit the bill. Pull it up and check it out.
Grayton and Rosemary beach area may also be very good for you.
Both of these have some of the dining you mention - but are not heavily developed and built up.

I think that I would suggest these, over Pensacola Beach.

We do like all the other great options for dining and activities, and nothing can beat Destin for that. We have stayed in the Destin area many times.

We usually travel pre-season, before the heat, crowds, and Junegrass-seaweed hit. April and May are often spectacular in this area! (while April can be a bit cool for pools) This year, we didn't travel early enough. There was a very early warm spell ( fifteen degrees hotter than the same time-frame last year!) And, there we already tons of people there trying to beat the summer crowds. And, the seaweed had started coming in.

We will def. try to travel a little earlier next time...
Still had a GREAT trip!

 

[billdob62]

My vote is Navarre Beach. Plenty of house to rent right on the beach, not a lot of nightlife, tourist stuff, or things to do to attract a lot of people. If you want a quiet vacation within a short drive of everything, Navarre is the place.