Recommendations for beaches in the Florida panhandle region over Christmas break

November 27, 2006 7:00 AM

We've made a last minute decision to head to Florida over Christmas break. We'd like to stay somewhere in the panhandle region since it would be a fairly short drive for us (currently living in Alabama). Any recommendations for a particular beach/city? We'd like a place that's laid back, family oriented, and has nice clean sandy beaches to walk on and pick up shells. None of us cares for night life or shopping, but a good running/bike trail would be a plus.
posted by notcomputersavvy06 to sports, hobbies, & recreation (11 comments total)

I used to love the beaches and laid back vibe of Ft. Walton Beach when I was younger. It's quite west in the panhandle, too. I haven't been there in 20 years so I can't really comment on how it is now but it might be worth investigating.
posted by General Zubon at 7:45 AM on November 27, 2006

If you want laid back and family oriented then Seaside is probably your speed. It is between Panama city and Destin. It was the location that the Truman Show movie was filmed and it has little shops, restaurants, and it probably has running and bike trails. You can stay in a beach house that is walking distance to the beach...
posted by elkelk at 8:30 AM on November 27, 2006

Keep in mind that it's usually cold there in December -- highs in the 40s or 50s. Bundle up for those walks on the beach. That said, Ft. Walton Beach hasn't changed much at all in 20 years, and you don't have to go far from there to get to a lot of wooded areas that would have trails.
posted by jjg at 9:16 AM on November 27, 2006

Please check out the communities listed on this site, particularly Grayton Beach. I was down there in October.

Discover 30A
posted by loosemouth at 9:22 AM on November 27, 2006

I live in the Fort Walton/Destin area. Go with loosemouth's recommendation. Grayton Beach is it. The state park there was named the best beach in the US a few years ago by the National Park Service. It is pristine. Also, while it can get chilly here in winter, it is more likely your will have 60s - 70s in Dec. this time of year. For instance, the high today will reach mid 70s.
posted by wsg at 9:55 AM on November 27, 2006

Note to self...proofread!
posted by wsg at 9:56 AM on November 27, 2006

I'm a big fan of the St. George Island / Apalachicola area. The State Park on St. George just re-opened and is very nice, and the shops and restaurants in the old part of Apalachicola are very cool. I'm not sure about the kids part. The Island has nature trails and is extremely bicycle friendly, and sea kayaking in the bay is great. But I didn't notice a lot of the mini-golf, bumper-boat type activities. I've been this time of year and had great weather, but it can get quite cold (30's) in the panhandle this time of year.
posted by TahitiBlue at 1:55 PM on November 27, 2006

Coincidentally, I was just forwarded an article about Grayton Beach, my favorite restaurant and my friends' band. Also, the whole area is very biking/hiking friendly.
posted by wsg at 2:03 PM on November 27, 2006

Thanks all! I'll definitely check into all of the suggestions.
posted by notcomputersavvy06 at 3:32 PM on November 27, 2006

Lots of good choices already mentioned. I also love the apalachicola area. If you get as far as pensacola, remember there's still hurricane damage.

Keep in mind that it's usually cold there in December -- highs in the 40s or 50s. Bundle up for those walks on the beach. That said, Ft. Walton Beach hasn't changed much at all in 20 years, and you don't have to go far from there to get to a lot of wooded areas that would have trails.
posted by jjg

Actually, ft. walton/destin has grown up quite a bit over the last 20 years. And jjg is incorrect about the temperature. You're going to get average highs in the 60s all year round. It's basically december and I was sweating today.
posted by justgary at 4:15 PM on November 28, 2006

Don't forget Pensacola Beach. (And if you're not married to the idea of Florida...Alabama's own Gulf Shores used to be pretty nice. Fort Morgan is close by. But I admit it has been a few years since I've been to Gulf Shores. )

If you go to Pensacola...there used to be a few hidden beach places off Scenic Highway and if you like to fish they have the world's longest fishing pier.

Justgary: Are you originally from the North? Temperatures in the 60s are wonderful to this newly transplanted Floridian, but the old-timers are walking around with sweaters and jackets.
posted by ?! at 9:45 PM on December 3, 2006