A short report on Cape San Blas Florida
 

We just returned from our first snowbird experience. We spent it on the Forgotten Coast at Cape San Blas in Florida. Cape San Blas is a peninsula about 18miles long with the very tip being a state park that has a beautiful beach, a few cottages and RV/camper parking. The rest of the peninsula has stilt houses, one Inn, two convenience stores, one hamburger/ice cream store, a few Real Estate Companies, a couple condo's but no high-rises. Cape San Blas is 14 miles away from Port St. Joe, the nearest small town with a grocery store. It is 30 miles from Apalachicola, a quaint town on the banks of the Apalachicola River that has two grocery stores. We loved this place and will return next January, temps in Jan & Feb range from the 50's to the low 70's. We rented VRBO and were steps from the water with ocean views from every room of the house.

Apalachicola is known for it's oysters and I'm here to tell you they are great! They are sweet and salty and yummy! The following is a list of our favorite restaurants in the area.

1. Indian Pass Raw Bar in Indian Pass
(a converted gas station where you get you own beer and have a seat)

2. Boss Oyster in Apalachicola (they have their own fishing boats)

3. TouCans in Mexico Beach (right ON the beach)

4. Eddy Teaches on St George Island ( a VERY casual oyster and beer bar that sells a FEW other items. The oysters are terrific! steamed and raw.

5. Dockside Cafe in Port St Joe. Located on the marina with daily specials

The beaches are NOT crowded summer or winter, the sand is white and soft, the people are laid back, and if you want peace and rest with not much to do except to enjoy walking the beach, boating, fishing and golf, this is for you.

Oh, cd, I am SO glad you had a good time! I AM jealous that you got to go to the Raw Bar - I do miss it so. :-(
We discovered the Dockside Cafe on the last trip and I wonder how we missed it. It was fun watching folks come in with their catch.
I hope to go back soon - maybe to scallop this summer. I'd love info on your VRBO.
((*))

You have found our secret hidaway. Ha. I am from Panama City, FL just down the road to the west. Next time you come down, make it in September/October if you can. That time of year is so beautiful, like the rest of the year, but the temperature is a bit warmer and the weather is always gorgeous. Unless there is a hurricane brewing, but not usually. We call it Indian Summer. We have friends who have places in Port St Joe and Cape San Blas and we love it. Scalloping is alot of fun,as mentioned above. July, August. Yes, Apalach is a great little fishing town. Glad you enjoyed your stay. Panama City Beach, about 40 minutes from Mexico Beach (same county), has alot to do. Enjoy

Starrs
It was because of your recommendation that we looked into Cape San Blas so I thank you very much! Our VRBO was a quadplex and really nice. The only thing we did not like is if the upstairs unit has children it can be annoying. One week of our eight, we had two kids upstairs and, bless their hearts, they do not walk anywhere, they RUN and that unit has hardwood floors. Other than that our stay was great. http://www.vrbo.com/79993

Imgrt
I would stay on the Cape anytime and would like to taste those scallops! DH's sister and aunt and uncle will be staying in the same unit we stayed in in Sept. Maybe they will get to sample some!

It looks really nice. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I love that part of the Forgotten Coast :-)
I hope you toasted me with a beer (or soda) at the Raw Bar :-)

Beer it was Starrs, beer it was!

topping for dragonflycafe

Great report, cd. I have been going to Cape San Blas and Mexico Beach for over 40 years. (how can that be???) We have a house on the Cape now but rarely go. The house stays rented most of the time.

It sounds like you did a little exploring while you were there. I recommend that you check out the Gulf Specimen Marine Lab in Panacea next year:

http://gulfspecimen.org/

It is a really neat and interesting place. If you read the history you will see that John Steinbeck was instrumental in getting it started.

Go in the afternoon and when you finish drive over to Angelo's for a fabulous dinner. I recommend the grilled snapper!

Sunshinesue
Just curious, why do you no longer go?

We have actually never stayed in the house. We built it a couple of years ago as an investment.

When our kids were younger we went to Barrier Dunes, at the end of the Cape, every spring break, along with several other families. Loved it! Then we started buying property in south Walton County, between Panama City Beach and Destin, (investment-type stuff) so we started going there and fell in love with it. It's not crowded, like the Cape, but with the most incredibly clear, emerald green water and sugar white sand I have seen this side of the caribbean. There is also a great selection of restaurants, and for my husband, world class golf. We also love the 18 mile bike trail. And, I hate to admit this, but one of the counry's largest outlet malls in in Destin and I usually spend an afternoon or two there, saving money.

Personally, I am happy as a clam sitting under an umbrella, reading a book on the Cape or St George Island but my husband likes having nice golf courses nearby and I'll admit we like the many good restaurants available in south Walton.

Thank you for your comments! We are headed out for this area in about a week. Cold, rain, snow predicted for next week for us, so we are looking forward to the warm. Thanks also for the comments on the restaurants.

You're very welcome Andy!

Very interesting report, cd, especially so since this is the first time I've heard of Cape San Blas!

great trip report and thanks for topping for me starrs!

cd-
If you return to Apalachicola, be sure to try the Owl Cafe. http://www.owlcafeflorida.com/

Is the end of June a good time to visit this area?

Yes

We love that whole area! Glad you had a great time! We actually have two beach houses that we rent. If you want to stay in one of them, we can give you a 10% discount off the prices listed by our rental agency. See the links to view the properties:

Suimsuit Edition http://www.visitfloridabeaches.com/r...tion=view&id=7

Author's Retreat
http://www.visitfloridabeaches.com/r...on=view&id=711

If you're curious about the names of the properties... my husband is an author of 16 books (4 New York Times Best Sellers) and was the Associate Editor of Sports Illustrated for 11 years.

you can contact me directly and I would be happy to help you with a beautiful house to stay in as well as recommend some of my favorite restarants to go to! [email protected] or call me 850 345 6525

I am sure you don't realize it, Jeanetteyaeger, but advertising is not allowed on Fodors.

Jeanetteyaeger-

Be very careful not to advertise on this forum. We are not here to enrich ourselves financially.