Florida Panhandle - Help me decide!!!

[Wishing on a star]

This is for anybody who is familiar with this area.
Residents or frequent visitors.

We will be stopping for 3 days on the beaches of the Fl Panhandle on our way down to Orlando this May. I LOVE LOVE LOVE those beautiful white sand beaches! It's been too long since we have been there.

Okay, here is my delimma.
I had decided that maybe we should do something different and go to Cape San Blas... I have heard how beautiful the Preserve is there, the sand dunes, etc.... I even made some reservations at Port St. Joe. (most all the condos out on island are full weekly rentals)

But, I am also simply hooked on the Destin area.
Last time, we stayed at Sandestin thru my inlaws time share week.
It is a really nice resort.
I can sit here right now in a heavenly daydream of our afternoon at Pompano Joe's, where the water was as crystal clear as the Caribbean, the sand as white as suger, and the Pina Colada was ice cold and refreshing.

I am afraid that I will really miss that if we go to Cape San Blas.
By photos, the water does not seem as clear there.
There are no services or food anywhere around.
It would mean getting up early, packing coolers, gear, etc.. and a more demanding trip, hauling everything out to the beach.
There is a chance that we could locate a little condo out on the island for a three night rental, but I am still afraid that the water/beach/accomodations/etc... will not meet up to my lofty expectations, based on Destin.

HELP!!!
Help me make up my mind..
Should we go for the Preserve and the sand dunes...
Or go back to the resort area of Sandestin.

Either way, I can't wait!!!

 

[okeydokey]

Cape San Blas is beautiful but it is very laid back compared to Destin. There is no Donut Hole!! The beaches is Destin I think are the panhandle's most beautiful, but if you are looking for a natural kind of beach with no big condos and hotels blocking your views Port St. Joe is the place.

 

[Mom2Evie]

My DH, DD & I stayed on Bald Point for a week over the summer. We grew up on the Gulf Coast but we now live in Virginia right near the Atlantic and Chesapeake Bay. We both missed white sand and warm water and this was a perfect idea. We picked this house... http://obrealty.com/RentalProperties.cfm?Rentals_ID=14
It was right on the sand & the view was beautiful.

Sure, it isn't as beautiful as Destin. Nothing is. And there are even less amenities on Bald Point than in Cape San Blas (i.e. one great restaurant). We just made sure we were packed up with groceries before we got there. There was a lot to do in the area other than beach, we just had to drive 15-30 minutes for it.

We did spend a day in St. George's Island. It was more touristy and packed with vacation homes, but it was lovely.

Both Cape San Blas and Port St Joe would be a great choice though. Rentals are a bit cheaper than in Destin, the beaches are lovely and a bit less crowded. You are correct, the preserve is truly beautiful.

Consider stopping by Wakulla Springs State Park on your way out of the area. It's due south of Tallahassee and a blast. We've been there several times on vacation. They offer glass bottom boat tours, wildlife viewing boat tours hourly (manatee, birds, turtles, gators, etc.), they have a geat restaurant and my daughter just LOVES the place.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Thanks you guys!

I am thinking that Destin is winning out for us so far???

Any other input is welcome!