HELP: budget beach vacation

[wdwmaw]

We want to go to the beach this July, 13-20th to be exact. In my research I keep coming back to Panama City Beach (Lower Grand Lagoon area at the dead end of Thomas Drive part) or South Carolina; Harbor/Hunting Island, or even Tybee Island, Ga area. Keep reading the beaches around these islands don't really have wave sound you can hear from your room? Would any of these be uncomfortably crowded this week?

We would like to keep our budget less than $1000 for a Sat- Sat oceanfront rental and have found a few on VBRO and Flip Key we are interested in. Need your help as to what we are about to get into. Need to get a deposit paid soon. Tell me the good, the bad, and the ugly if you've been to these places or please recommend another place.

We don't need to be in an area where we need things to do, except possibly a little outlet shopping. That can be on the drive home though so no big deal. Both of these options will put us 9-10 hours away from home and don't want to go any farther away from home.

We don't have extended family just the 3 of us so splitting a condo or house not an option. We would like a beach with very little people and off the beaten path. As a family we have only been to the beach a small handful of times (Myrtle Beach twice and hated it both times and love Satellite Beach Florida every time but it is just too far it's 13 hours from here). As a family we usually agree to spend our vacation $ at Disney (spent 2 weeks at Christmas) so were trying something different.

 

[cvjw]

Panama City Beach is very crowded. They have built so many huge condo buildings on the beach in the past years, that I will no longer visit there. On the plus side, the beach and water are really pretty.

If you want a very relaxing beach vacation - think no high rise condos, and dolphins and sea turtles swimming by, look into Cape San Blas, Florida. It is about an hour past Panama City, and it is amazing.

 

[wdwmaw]

Panama City Beach is very crowded. They have built so many huge condo buildings on the beach in the past years, that I will no longer visit there. On the plus side, the beach and water are really pretty.

If you want a very relaxing beach vacation - think no high rise condos, and dolphins and sea turtles swimming by, look into Cape San Blas, Florida. It is about an hour past Panama City, and it is amazing.

Oh my goodness this place looks exactly what we are looking for. Can you recommend a place? Trying to find something smaller than a house
There are only the 3 of us and we don't have anyone to split a larger place with.

 

[C_leen]

We are fond of Mexico Beach. It is just past Tyndall AFB on Hwy 98. You can get a spot right on the Gulf. It is then easy to drive to Cape San Blas or into PCB. We stayed in the Love Shack which I think is on VRBO. I think the former Marriott in PCB near St. Andrews state park is a good way to avoid crowds too. I think now a Wyndham? They have condos next door also on VRBO which we stayed at. Nice gym, pool, access to a boat that takes u to the beach. Off the beaten path. There is nothing like walking the dock in the am and seeing the dolphins popping up and playing as a family. Hope u have a wonderful time!

 

[cvjw]

Oh my goodness this place looks exactly what we are looking for. Can you recommend a place? Trying to find something smaller than a house
There are only the 3 of us and we don't have anyone to split a larger place with.

Look into Barrier Dunes. It is a condo complex that is right on the beach. The reason we like to be on the far side of Cape San Blas is because you can walk from there into St. Joes State Park. The park is on the very tip of the island and is totally unspoiled by development. You can walk on the beach for miles and see turtles, dolphins, sting rays, etc just swimming right by you. It is a great place. Just keep in mind that the grocery store is about 20 minutes away from Cape San Blas, as are the restaurants. That may be a turn-off to some, but is one of the reasons we pick to vacation there.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

Tybee Island is also very crowded, very touristy. And parking during the summer is a pain. I would suggest Jekyll Island, GA. It's very quiet, the beaches are beautiful.

 

[stsomewhere]

There are some great beach towns on the West coast of Michigan.

 

[Team Bunch]

Outer banks, nc. Love it, very quiet and family oriented.

 

[Mas17]

I've been to PCB during spring break and in the summer. Spring break is CRAZY!!! But have been many times with my hs kids.

Summertime is not nearly as bad. Especially the area where you are looking. It is much quieter up there. Yes, we have seen dolphins swimming by.

I would not go to Tybee Beach. I was there last year while staying in Savannah and did not like it at all. Water was brown due to all the marsh and the beach was super crowded and also had a lot of debris on it.

 

[mrsklamc]

Kure Beach NC is a nice little area.

 

[emsstacey]

We love Cocoa Beach, Fl. We have a 7 night rental on the ground floor, ocean front for $950. Not touristy and not crowded. It's our fave!

 

[bearzabout]

Have you looked into Fripp Island? It is quiet since it is gated. You would have to negotiate a bit to find a rental in your price range. Since so many units are available, my guess is someone will want to negotiate.

The west coast of Michigan is really beautiful and cooler than Florida. Anywhere from Traverse City south to Grand Haven is a possibility.

Virginia Beach is crowded, but makes a great location if you want to do other things like see Williamsburg.

Tybee is wonderful because of its proximity to Savannah and Charleston. It is awfully hot in the summer.

 

[MouseTrip07]

We spent a week on Mexico Beach in February and just loved it. I have no idea what crowds would be like in the summer season, but there is not much there other than beautiful white sandy beaches and crystal blue water! (Which is perfect for our family). We stayed at the El Governor motel, which is all ocean front and are all efficiencies. Very reasonably priced for oceanfront & the cleanest motel I have ever stayed in (Disney hotels included).

We also liked Mexico Beach because we were close enough to "civilization" to find entertainment if we wanted it.

Overall a budget friendly, family friendly destination for us.

Best wishes in your search,
Jenn

 

[lpoeppelman]

I have to put a plug in for Indian Rocks Beach (near Clearwater). Probably a bit too far, I imagine.

Destin is nice, but I would make sure your place is actually ON the beach, as many places are not (across the road).

But Indian Rocks has been our go to place a couple times. Clearwater offers a lot--free entertainment at night at the pier. Arts/Crafts show at the pier. Great little town.