Florida Beaches from Valdosta, GA

Hello! Unfortunately, the beaches that are closest to Tallahassee are somewhat limited. Alligator Point is the closest "beach" area but the water is not the clear blue gulf water you might be expecting. There is a state park there (Bald Point) that is quite nice for walking, fishing, birdwatching etc. There are also two county parks in that area, Shell Point and Mashes Sands, that were pretty before Hurricane Dennis -- I have not been back since then. Mashes Sands had a small but very scenic sandy beach.

If you are willing to expand your mileage just a bit, you can get to St. George Island from Tallahassee in about an hour and a half. The state park there (Julian Bruce St. George Island State Park) was still recovering from Dennis when I went earlier this year, and facilities are not yet completely rebuilt (it took a horrible hit) but the beaches are wide and not crowded. Pre-Dennis it was one of my favorite beach spots. There are restaurants on the island, also (no food facilities right within the park).

Most of the places I've mentioned are listed on one of the following sites:
http://www.floridastateparks.org/FindaParkRegion.cfm?Dist=Northwest
http://www.floridaparks.com/beaches/northwest/wakulla_county.htm

And, of course, don't forget the obligatory day trip to Wakulla Springs -- not exactly a beach (although there is a swimming area) but within easy driving distance for a day trip. Unfortunately the glass-bottomed boats that used to tour the spring are really more of a memory than anything else because of declining water quality (I moved here in 1994 and have never seen them in operation), and some of the wildlife that was here ten years ago has apparently disappeared, but the river boats are still quite enjoyable.

Happy exploring!

To second what Barbara said, St. George is probably your best bet. From where I live (north Tallahassee) it takes about 1 hour 45 minutes. However, in just another 30 minutes, you can be at the Beaches of South Walton-Seaside, Seagrove, Watercolor, Grayton, etc.

http://beachesofsouthwalton.com/

http://www.sowal.com/

Be sure to click on the "photos" section of this link.

These are some of the prettiest beaches in Florida, IMHO. Snow white sand and crystal clear green water.
The area looks much farther away on the map but time-wise it is only 30 minutes longer because most on the trip is on I-10.

There is also Cape San Blas

http://www.floridastateparks.org/stjoseph/

Cape San Blas is about a 20 minute drive from St. George so you could easily do both in one day trip. The state park is at the very end of the cape.

Have fun.

Cape San Blas / Indian Pass area is my favorite part of Florida for beaches.

You stated Jax, but did you visit Amelia Island ? That would be my own personal favorite.

Thank you to everyone...I guess I'm mostly just looking for directions to a beach that we can lay out on without having to check into a hotel for the day, and my husband would prefer the Gulf side for a day, as opposed to the Atlantic.

Cape San Blas State Park. One of the prettiest beaches everywhere. Often shows up on the top 10 beaches list.

Sorry, the name wasn't right. Here's a link to the State Park on San Blas.

http://www.floridastateparks.org/stjoseph/default.cfm

They have nice cabins for rent if you are interested. If you've never been scalloping, St Joe's Bay is great to try. Some folks rent a boat for the day to fish, scallop or just hang out.

Or, if you are just looking for what has been named the #1 Beach in the US, it's your place.

Be sure to eat at the Indian Pass Raw Bar (simple great seafood and VERY casual) if it has reopened.

According to mapquest - 182 miles - 3 1/2 hours

The Raw Bar has reopened!
http://www.indianpassrawbar.com/

Hope it hasn't gotten "too fancy". Walk in the door, head directly for the coolers on the back wall, choose your drink and open it on one of the openers on the columns, turn and smile at whoever is behind the counter, pick a table and look at the board to decide what you want to eat. You'll look like a regular and not a newbie!

OK, Starrsville, When you you going to meet me there???

I think I will enjoy walking on (and scuffing up) that new floor!!! GO NOLES!

Anytime, SSS, anytime. Just give me an excuse and I'm headed that way!

that is just what we are looking for...I'll let you know how it is. Thank you!!!

Well, I don't want to spoil the surprise for you, but it is heaven on earth! (But, shhh! don't tell everyone!)

If you need goodies, stop in Apalachicola, 'cause there's not a lot of options past Ap - until you get to St. Joe - which is a GOOD thing in my book!

OK, one more question. Husband is allergic to seafood, but happily joins me on my search for the perfect shrimp, so long as there is something not from the sea he can eat. Do they serve some sort of chicken, etc?

^^^

Indian Pass? I don't think so. They are pretty much just seafood - not even salads. They used to have burgers and corn dogs I think.

Sunshine Sue, can you check it out? Have they spruced up their menu along with the sprucing up of the interior? I hope they keep the peeling paint exterior

I have not been since they reopened. but there is a phone number on the website. Ebiddix, there are some good restaurants in Apalachicola. I have eaten at Tameras recently and it was very good. Also, the classic Boss Oyster on the river.

http://www.apalachicolariverinn.com/boss.html

On St. George Island, you might want to try the Blue Parrot.

What do folks think about Bald Point State Park? Is there area to layout?

I've never heard of it.

Just found it on the map. You could give it a try - and if you don't like it go on to Cape San Blas. The beach at San Blas is incredible. Just incredible. You could also stop at St. George Island. I have friends that rent there every year. Just don't know about public access to beaches, but it's a nice place with good beaches, restaurants, etc.

SSSue?

Bald Point State Park is on Alligator Point (see second post above). I read in the paper this morning that two Wakulla beaches are off-limits for swimming because of high bacteria counts. Here's a website where you can check individual beaches you're thinking of visiting:

http://www.doh.state.fl.us/
Select "Beach Water Quality" from the drop-down menu on the upper right-hand side of the page. That will take you to a map that lets you click on a FL county and see whether there are any advisories for beaches in that county.

If it's really a pretty beach to lie on that you want, ebiddix, it is worth the slightly longer trip to St. George or Cape San Blas. Alligator Point is nice but not in the same league as far as beaches go.

From Valdosta, St. George looks like it is 3 hours + . We are going to try it, as we are doing this for a day trip--I'll let everyone know how it is looking these days.

Erika

Barbara--thank you--I think we were posting at the same time The daytrip is what is throwing us as far as deciding how far to go. Your input as been very helpful--I'm hopeful we can make it to Cape San Blas in the next few weekends when we can find an overnight dog watcher.

"Alligator Point is nice but not in the same league as far as beaches go."

Barbara, You are so diplomatic! I am going to have to remember that line!

I will be more blunt. I don't care for Alligator Point at all. The water is murky and the beaches are narrow and not real pretty. There also is not a lot of public access there. As far as I know there is only one public beach.

Ebiddix, The public beach in St. George is directly in front of you after you cross the bridge. However, I suggest taking a left at the 4-way stop and driving down to the state park. There are nice pavillions with showers and bathrooms and picnic tables.

I don't mean to seem too inquisitive, but are you elderly or have some disability that prevents you from driving more than three or four hours? You could leave by 7:00 am, get there by noon, have a nice lunch and lay out for two to three hours, have dinner and still be home well before midnight. If you aren't used to Florida sun, being that you are from St Louis, you don't need to lay out on the beach for more than two hours.
Having lived in Tallahasse, Pensacola and Panama City Beach, I can assure you that the previous posters are correct about the "beaches" at St Marks, Wakulla, Aligator Point, etc. Not worth the drive if your interest is sun bathing.

Thanks to everyone...

Gracie, you aren't being "too inquisitive" but it did make me laugh--we are 27 and 28 Truth of the matter is, we just relocated and haven't quite settled on a dog sitter, so we are limited on the number of hours we can be gone (they are still crated). We are testing a new one out on Saturday, for just a few hours, before we strive into overnight or all day territory...the puppies are a bit high maintenance.

One of the plusses to moving to Valdosta was the proximity to beaches. We've figured out how to do it to the Atlantic, just haven't figure out our bearings in relation to the Gulf yet.

Ebidix,
I had two theories as to why you moved from St. Louis to Valdosta. At first I thought Air Force, but discarded that theory because of the way you said "that's another story" in your original post. Now my second theory is your husband took a job at the university. How far off the mark am I???

You're right on the mark--he's a professor at the University. But, everyone I run into here (grocery store) etc. assumes we're military--that's pretty normal for here.

I am sure that's true, especially as young as you are!

You will have to take a day trip to Tallahassee and check out FSU.

We have very good friends here from St. Louis-actually the husband grew up in Cape Girado (sp?) and wife is from St. Louis.

Ah -- dogs. I completely understand. What we won't do for our dogs. For years, I traveled with my parents and our shared 6 pound maltipoo. It was hard finding hotels that allowed dogs back 10 years ago, but now that the hospitality industry is more accomodating, I no longer travel with my parents and the dog. (The parents have health problems.) I recently married last year and we have a blended dog family -- DH has a 70 pound rotweiller/lab mix.
Now I will be really inquisitive -- what kind of puppies do you have?

Happy Monday! Just a quick report from our daytrip. We ended up at St. George's Island--3.5 hours from the north end of Valdosta to the actual island itself including a stop. Not bad!

We had lunch at the Blue Parrot--decent beach food, good atmosphere and right on the water. It sits on a public beach with great sand and water. Folks seemed to be using the BP bathroom and geting drinks from their beachside bar.

We decided to head to the state park (for the showers mostly) and it was wonderful! $5 for the car and we went to the tip of the park. They recently finished brand new bathroom facilities and they were very nice and modern. Good outdoor showers too.

The beach was fairly empty--a family every 100 feet or so. Clear water, great weather--it was a great day!!

We will probably try the state parks from now on--to be honest, I wouldn't have thought to go that route without your help. Thank you again to everyone!!

Erika

So glad you enjoyed it. Those are my favorite beaches on Florida. If you decide on a longer visit, there are dog friendly rentals in the Indian Pass/San Blas areas. I used to go there yearly. Try out the Indian Pass Raw Bar sometime - if you want really good and inexpensive seafood.

I'm so glad you enjoyed it! And I'm glad to hear the facilities are finished, and that you could drive to the tip. I'll have to try to go down very soon (I haven't been there since Feb. of this year).

When my husband wanted to convince me that I would like living down here, that's where he took me. I still have a picture from that day (in the spring of 1994!) on the refrigerator. After growing up going to the Jersey shore (which I still love, so no insults please) I never get tired of a beach where you don't have to step around people to get to the water.

SunshineSue,
Are you interested in lunch at Indian Pass Raw Bar on Saturday, Sept 30th? I'm meeting friends at St. George that afternoon and would love to drive over to IP to check out the new digs

Hi Starsville,
That just might work. As it happens, my husband is supposed to be in your neck of the woods that weekend on a golf trip-Cuscawilla, near Reynold's Plantation, so maybe I can slip down to the island for a couple of nights. We have a place on St. George and if it isn't rented (not likely this time of year) I may just plan a trip. Even if it is I would enjoy a day trip. E-mail me, seg333@ aol dotcom. (Just trying to foil the spammers!) Look forward to hearing from you.

Yep, he may in fact be driving right past me. I'll email

The Raw bar IS open. The entertainment editor for my local newspaper, John MacDonald, mentioned eating there in his column a few weeks ago. Don't know if his column is online yet. This was in the August 11th issue of the Panama City News Herald.

I was at the Dillard House this weekend and saw an Indian Pass tshirt. I asked them if it had been snazzed up too much - and the answer was thankfully, no.

John MacDonald didn't mention any changes to the Raw Bar, and from his columns, I know he is a native of Port St Joe and has frequented the Raw bar many times.

Look at the pictures. They've spruced it up some - I just hope not too much

If you make it to the Cape, don't leave the dogs at home! Cape San Blas was just ranked the #1 Dog Friendly Beach in the USA! It's wonderful to have them with you!

Have a great trip!

Wendy Jackson
www.TheCapeEscape.com

topping for an upcoming trip

If sunbathing is a major focus, and if salt water and sand are secondary, you can find some lovely parks outside of Tallahassee around Lake Talquin, which is a state park and recreation area. Lots of water and sun, a little sand, and plenty of nature.

What I didn't hear mentioned above is you don't have to leave your dog at home to visit Cape San Blas, FL! The beaches on the Cape are Pet Friendly and your dog is welcome anytime! If you're looking for a pet friendly rental, check out: www.TheCapeEscape.com .

My pups went with me every year to the Cape San Blas/ Indian Pass area. I can't recommend it highly enough. And, the Indian Pass Raw Bar is one of my favorite places to eat (tied with the Pink House in Savannah - but completely opposite in atmosphere )