desperado

We've never been to the northern Gulf Coast, but will be driving from Miami to New Orleans and would like to visit somewhere for a night or two. What's the prettiest, most romantic and sophisticated? Is it Destin? Want not to get too distant from Route 10. Prefer a good Inn or B&B, but most of all oceanfront. Good beach, good food. Not too touristy. Is this even possible?

Cranachin

You'll find pretty/romantic/good beaches all along the coast in NW Florida, from Perdido Key to St. George's Island.

What do you mean by "good food"? There are plenty of non-pretentious places to enjoy great seafood; maybe not so many four-star gourmet places.

Destin definitely is touristy.

Maybe WaterColor (http://www.watercolorresort.com/)? The inn and resort might be sophisticated, but I'm not sure I would describe the area that way.

SoBchBud1

Seaside would fit the bill

MollyinFL

Apalachicola is a nice little town, there is a B & B there, old beautiful house, just coming into town, can't remember the name. St George's island for a day at the beach is great. Great fresh seafood!

Cranachin

desperado--

I might be wrong, but I don't think you will find what you are looking for in either Seaside or Apalachicola.

I don't think Seaside itself has any inns or B&B's on the Gulf - just cottages, and only a few. I'm not sure if you would be able to rent one for only a night or two (but you might). There are a number of towns east of Seaside that have some B&B's, but I don't know that any are on the water or that even have water views. Again, maybe you could find a cottage to rent.

I would not call those other towns "sophisticated", however (although maybe individual properties are). WaterColor is just west of Seaside (I'm not pushing it, I just don't know any other inns/B&B's that are actually on the Gulf in that area).

Apalachicola is indeed a charming town, but it is not on the Gulf - it is on Apalachee Bay (so the water is not as pretty). I definitely would not call it sophisticated, either. I'm not sure about St. George Island - maybe there is something there, but again, it is not what I would call "sophisticated".

I'm NOT knocking the northern Gulf Coast - I grew up there and think it has some beautiful scenery and great food. But it definitely has a different vibe from SE or SW Florida! In my opinion, the most beautiful beaches are between Pensacola and Panama City (sand is incredibly white and water is many shades of green and blue).

Happy hunting!

desperado

Thank you for the responses. Very helpful. By "good" food I mean indigenous, not fast food or chains or frozen. Fresh seafood, for example. No pretense. A place where there is a chef who cooks with a point of view and love, not by the numbers. Some "road food" for example ... like barbecue, fried chicken.

By sophisticated I mean a town that is not overrun by bars and t-shirt shops. I know that's a tough demand these days, but just wondering. I like towns that have not sold out, or changed too much over the last 50 years, held on to their essential character. Perhaps an impossible dream.

Barbara_in_FL

Apalachicola fits that bill, in my opinion, although I would not call it "sophisticated." But you won't be oceanfront.

Boss Oyster serves seafood with no pretense.

The Owl Cafe is another good option.

There are several very nice B&Bs in Apalachicola.

There is an Inn on St. George Island that's quite nice but it is not beachfront (it's very close) and is in the most touristy part of the island, so if you are trying to avoid t-shirt shops you would be disappointed.

cd

I really do have a great place for you. Apalachicola is a cute little town and the Gibson Inn is lovely , but not on the water. The Owl restauant there is a wonderful place for lunch and if nice weather sit outside on the second floor with river view. But stay at Indian Pass about 20min away at this little B&B directly on the with a beautiful beach. http://www.turtlebeachinn.com/ If you like oysters, the Indian Pass Raw Bar, minutes away is both unique and delicious. Or, you could continue on a few miles to Cape San Blas and stay at this little B&B not on the ocean but on the bay with free kayaks. Ocean is way across the street but walkable or drive a few miles to the end of the peninsula and into the state park with a remote and beautiful beach. http://www.capesanblasinn.com/

While in the Cape San Blas/Indian Pass area, you might want to take a horseback ride on the beach. 'Broke-A-Toe' 850-899-RIDE has experienced guides for $50.00 an hour.

As you continue on scenic 98 and are hungary, I always recommend Tucans restaurant in Mexico Beach. It's right on the water with inside or outside seating and really good food.

cd

hungry! I hate when I do that!

Cranachin

I was thinking "sophisticated" meant Palm Beach or South Beach - neither of which you will find in the Panhandle!

Cranachin

Agree that Apalachicola sounds like what you are looking for, although, as I said, it is not on the Gulf. St. George Island and St. Vincent Island separate Apalachicola Bay (not Apalachee - oops!) from the Gulf.

desperado

Haha. Cranchin - I said "sophisticated" not "pretentious." All that means to me is a town that has a fidelity to quality over mass market.