My wife and I (and our 3 yr old) are looking to have a classic one week beach getaway next May with at least one other family with 2 toddlers and wanted some suggestions on where to go based on the following criteria:

1) A safe beach(as far as swimming for the kids) that's not overly touristy, but with relatively close access to restaurants and food stores. Shopping not important.

FYI: Last year we went to Topsail island off Wilmington, NC and loved it, so something like that area.

2) we would like to drive the least amount possible coming from a major airport (tallahassee?)

3)recommendations for specific beach house rentals (or rental agencies) needed as well.

We'd also be open to Georgia beach suggestions as out friends will be coming from Atlanta and we may decide to meet them there and drive together from there.

Thanks in advance for any help you may have.

I can't comment on the NC beaches but Seagrove Beach on the Florida Panhandle is wonderful. The beaches are beautiful and grocery stores and restaurants are convenient. Look at rentals on the VRBO website. There are plenty of houses for families to share--and these are beautiful homes that have hardwood floors, wonderful decor, and well equipped kitchens. Look on VRBO for photos and virtual tours. I live in Georgia and the coast here does not have such great beaches. We have erosian problems here.

I live in Panama City Beach, FL in the panhandle. We have beautiful beaches, but lots of condo's going up on the main strip. Some are all inclusive types. Shouldn't be super expensive. You can also go anywhere on Highway 30A where Seagrove Beach is all the way down to Destin Florida, to San Destin Beach Resort. My inlaws stayed there last year with kids and had a blast. You can fly into Pensacola airport or Ft. Walton Beach airport. Maximum drive 1-1and 1/2 hours. Check it out. San Destin is great. Great playgrounds and things to do for small children.

The beaches of South Walton are my favorite.

http://sowal.com/
Click on "photos" to get a good look at the area.

http://beachesofsouthwalton.com/

Sandestin will be a little more crowded but nothing will be really crowded in May.

http://www.sandestin.com/default.aspx

As far as the beaches are concerned, you won't find prettier beaches anywhere north of the Caribbean! As far as safty is concerned, just watch heed the flags:

http://www.beachguide.com/flagsystem.asp

The gulf is much calmer than the ocean. In fact, it can look like a lake sometimes so it is generally more suitable for small children.

I will suggest that you not wait until the END of May to go, if possible. June grass (a thick seaweed) sometimes makes an appearance the end of May or June.

I would suggest flying into FT. Walton/Destin (VPS) or Panama City if possible. Tallahassee would be OK but you would have a 2 hour drive as opposed to about 30 minutes.

We rented a lovely beachfront 2 bdrm condo at the Majestic Sun on Miramar Beach, just west of Sandestin. It had a great indoor pool that you could swim out to the outdoor pool and covered parking, so you didn't have to bake. The beach is just across the street (pretty typical for Destin), 5 min from the outlet mall. This was a private VRBO rental and I researched and this was pretty economical. We flew into Pensacola (airfare was better priced) and it was about a 2 hour drive. Have been to TopSail Island as well and like Panhandle beaches much better. If you are interested in VRBO info, let me know and I will email you owner's info.

I agree with the posters who recommend the beaches of South Walton, particularly Seagrove. Here's a link to another thread I just responded to. Others gave some great advice on good links on that thread as well.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=35097072

Check out beachseekers.com
for some great house rentals in Seagrove. (you will need to search in the Santa Rosa Beach AREA...on their drop down menu)

The Seagrove neighborhood of Summers Edge has some great house rentals...EASY GREAT beach access, heated pool....VERY FAMILY friendly.
Most homes in this neighborhood are relatively new...less than 7 years old. May is usually a fantastic time to visit Seagrove.

Good luck!