debiness

Hi, Sorry if you are seeing this post twice, but I'm not able to find it after I posted the first time so I'm trying again...

40's, single female, travelling solo and looking for an escape from reality for a long weekend in June. I'm looking for the best place to meet other people, be able to let my hair down a little, relax a lot and not be totally overrun by children. I want a great beach, great restaurants and fun bars or nightclubs to hang out at. Any suggestions? And while you're at it, any suggestions on hotels as well? (condo or house probably out of the question since I'm travelling solo for only a long weekend.)
Thanx,
debi

Wayne

Apparently you are interested in northern Florida. If that is the case, you might also try Pensacola Beach or Panama City Beach. If you want to wander a little farther from that area, consider St Pete Beach or Clearwater Beach. Of course, there's also Jacksonville and St Augustine. In any of these places you'll find kids as well as grownups, but there is plenty of grownup entertainment.

Not knowing where you are starting this trip or how far you want to travel, I can't provide any more advice.

bethmac

If you are looking for a place small enough to safely meet strangers, I would suggest Seaside. It's not cheap, but you never said anything about your budget. It's very quaint and I can't imagine you would be overrun with kids there. Well, maybe really wealthy blue chip kids, you know, with their monogram on their beach bag.

debiness

Thanks for the responses. I will be driving from Atlanta. I prefer the gulf coast as I like the beaches better. Pensacola is probably further than I want to drive and so is Clearwater, etc. PC just doesn't do anything for me. Seaside is a possibility, but I thought that it was mostly families who travelled there... am I wrong? I'll be looking for other singles to meet and hang with.

ausc59

My daughter tells me that the Red Bar in Grayton Beach is the place to see and be seen.

DownSouth

If my budget was unlimited, I would treat myself to a weekend at the Watercolor Inn near Seaside. I would avoid Destin at all costs.

Ike

Debiness....check out the San Destin Hilton. It's situated close enough to Destin to drive to the great restaurants there. The Hilton has a great beach, pool, nice bar and restaurant too. The Watercolor Inn suggestion is also good. I think you would have fun at either place. I like Beach Walk Cafe in Destin and Criolla's.

http://www.sandestinbeachhilton.com/


http://www.watercolorinn.com/

Fish Out of Water is the WC Inn's fine restaurant. It's fine.

Have fun.

I found this site for restaurants and they have some videos if that would help.

http://www.tripsmarter.com/cityguide...nts/index.html

gracie

Avoid Seaside, Seagrove, Grayton Beach (except for Red bar) or Rosemary Beach if you are single. They cater mainly to families. If you want to mix with other singles, you will have to brave the congestion of Destin. I agree the San Destin Hilton is a good choice.
I live 40 miles east of Destin, so I am very familiar with the area and just spent a long weekend in Seagrove, with five middle aged friends from college. We did notice that there were very few young people or singles out and about Seagrove or Seaside. Mostly older tourists -- above 55, or families with small children, who are not yet school age. Once Memorial Day hits, the beaches will be filled with families with school age children.
I know you don't want to go to PCB, but your best best to meet other singles, considering your age, is the Boatyard or Schooners. La Vela and Spinnaker have a much younger crowd.

debiness

Thanks for all of the great suggestions. I looked at Watercolor and the Hilton... both are waaaay out of range at $400-500/nite for just me??? ouch! Hoping to stay at less than $200/nite if possible. There are other places at San Destin which are more affordable, but seem to be far from the beach. Hmmmmm.

gracie

Debiness -- June IS one of the most more expensive months, but those prices are outrageous! I feel for you, as we were in a similar situation last June. My nephew married near Destin last June, and my brother tried to find less expensive motels for the younger crowd. I think some of their choices were the two Hampton Inns, Marriott Courtyard,and the Embassy Suites in Destin.. I don't believe any of the ones I mentioned are gulfside. We finally just decided to drive back each night, as we live about 30 -40 miles from Destin.
As I may have mentioned, I stayed at Dunes of Seagrove last weekend and my pals and I found a great price through Resort Quest. However, I realize prices increase after Memorial Day. Another possibility are the Villas at Seagrove. They are old type units just east of Seaside, but not nearly as expensive. You will find Destin, Seaside and Rosemary beach to be the most expensive. Panama City Beach and Fort Walton Beach will be less expensive, but not as "charming." Having lived and vacationed between Pensacola Beach and PCB for more than 40 years, I can safely say the beaches, i.e the sand and the water, are just as beautiful from Pensacola to PCB. However, you pay for the trendines of Seaside, Destin, Grayton Beach, etc.

Levrac13

Debiness - I am almost positive there is a tram that will take you from the parts of Sandestin north of the beach to the beach on a regular schedule. Most of the bars and restaurants in Sandestin are on the north side of the resort in The Village of Baytowne Wharf. There is a hotel on the north side of the property, I believe called the Bayside Inn. I also believe a couple of the newer condos have studio type rooms that would be nicer than the Inn (Lasata, Pilot House, Bahia or Elation). The tram to the beach would probably take 10-20 minutes. Grayton Beach is a good place for singles but finding lodging that is not a house might prove difficult. For rentals in Grayton try Revard Rentals, Beach Rentals of South Walton and Beach Seekers.

gracie

Yes, there is a tram. However, a local tv station pointed out last year how long it took to get on board due to a Golf Tournament. So, the wait is very long depending on what else is going on in San Destin. Again, June is a very busy month with events
I believe there is a "Rivard" Realty.