Suggestions for a beach vacation?

[rascalmom]

Trying to decide on vacation for this summer. We visited Panama City Beach a few years ago and we loved the beach atmosphere. Would like to stay someplace a little nicer with some things to do in the surrounding area.

I used to go to Destin a lot as a kid, but has that gotten too crowded? We'd like at least a one bedroom condo-type arrangement so that there is some privacy & option to do breakfasts in the room.

Pool slide, spas, fishing excursions, shopping would be great. Easy beach access & an ocean view! Anyone have any suggestions? TIA

 

[hercamore]

Hi,, We like the area East of Destin for it's beautiful and uncrowded sandy beaches.

Grayton Beach state park is awesome. You can actually rente a cabin there for about $100 a nite. Would like to do that sometime.

I can highly recommend the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. Very high cleanliness standards and beautiful resort with many different priced condos. Disney-like in attention to detail in landscapting..

You can bike, golf, swim, eat, shop whatever. Sanddestin's beach is quartz sand, baby fine, emerald waters. The resort is divided down the middle by highway 98, thus the "bay side" and the "beach side". Both have lodgings that are excellent.

The actual town of Destin is too croweded for us, but many people love it there. The Sandestin Resort is 8 miles E of Destin.

www.sandestin.com

Stay on the Bay side for the cheaper and best value accomodation.
You can drive over to the beach side in 2 min. or take the resort tram which you call for from your unit.
herc.

 

[Blondie]

We like the west coast beaches of Florida, Clearwater Beach, Sand Key Island, and then further south is Naples which we fell in love with!

 

[crazyforgoofy]

How 'bout Blizzard Beach?

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

If you're willing to travel to the West Coast, San Diego is absolutely beautiful. The climate is perfect, the beaches are great, and there's lots of activity with the San Diego Zoo, Seaword, Legoland, and of course...Disneyland is just a short drive away!!!

 

[rascalmom]

Thanks, we were thinking of the gulf coast area. San Diego is beautiful, we lived in South Orange County when we first got married and are planning to do a southern California trip next summer for our 20th anniversary !

This summer we are looking for something very laid back with a nice resort atmosphere. Any suggestions besides Sandestin? It looks lovely & we are definitely looking into it.

 

[kadaten]

We're doing the Outer Banks of NC this year. They have everything you're looking for.... We're renting a house in Nag's Head but there are so many little towns to try... on the nicer end, I would go for something in Duck, especially since that's where some of the best shopping is! There are fishing excursions, several public piers for shore-side fishing, parasailing, LOTS of restaurants to try, some outlets about a little further south, several lighthouses to explore, an Aquarium in Manteo, Jockey's Ridge, etc..... LOVE the area!!

 

[rascalmom]

Any specific hotels or resorts that someone has experience with?

 

[Hillbeans]

Ocean City MD, is a real hot-spot. That's a trek for you from OK though.....

We go to Ocean City NJ every year for a week. It's a real nice town, very family oriented. The island is "dry", no liquor allowed.

By thursday of the week we're away, we sneak across the island to the bar!