Okay, so my husband and I have decided to take a last minute trip to Florida next week. We currently live in California but I'm looking for a get-away to some beautiful beach that isn't anything like Cali beaches so thinking somewhere in the panhandle or down around Naples maybe? What are the pros and cons of each area? Any particular town that might be fun yet relaxing? I'm really craving some sun drenched natural beauty where we can just kick back and relax, enjoy some drinks and the sun, and really, really want beautiful warm waters!

Would also appreciate any budget friendly accommodation suggestions as well.

Thanks so much!

Just about anything on the Panhandle or the west coat will work. I'd pick based on fares to airports and then go from there.

Check out this website for ideas in the Panhandle - www.30a.com

We're using miles to get there so that's surprisingly pretty open!

Well then...
How many days/nights? What's "budget friendly"? Do you want a hotel room, high rise condo or cottage? Do you want/need night life?

If I were going I'd probably choose -
The Hampton Inn on Pensacola Beach
A condo at SanDestin
A rental house at Seaside or one of the nearby communities (Watercolor, etc)
A cottage on Anna Maria Island
A rental on St George Island
The Ritz Naples

But you can't go wrong with anything along the west coast or panhandle

Or here -
http://www.loewshotels.com/en/Don-CeSar-Hotel/

There are (lower) budget options too - if we knew your budget

Thanks starrs, that helps a lot! We're pretty open to any kind of accommodation, but probably looking at a condo or hotel. We're hoping for 5-7 nights. I hesitate to give a budget since I don't know the 'going rate' for the area. But I guess I'm looking for something under $200 a night, less is even better. IDK, maybe that's not realistic. Perhaps I should say I'm happy with a clean 3 star hotel, but prefer a 4, ha. Mostly I want a good location, where the beaches and water are beautiful, the towns are quaint and charming, with some nice beach bars to hang and have drinks preferable with some live music. We usually like something with a kitchenette, but bar service is always nice. Having never been there we're pretty open and flexible.

Does one area have more calm waters over the others? I do like calm waters...

The Don Cesar has a summer special that includes the 4th night free and additional credits. I checked for next week and with the free 4th night the rate averages $189 a week. Sounds great to me!

I've not stayed there but would love to.

I've stayed at the other places and you can't go wrong anywhere along the coast. Also look at Clearwater Beach.

Stayed at the Hampton Inn, Pensacola, last September. Hotel room was tired and worn, I'm sure from all the summer traffic through it. Maybe it's been remodeled since. Beach is beautiful. If going to the Panhandle, 30A area is the best. Great rates right now too. Check VRBO.

All of the gulf is calm. It's one big warm bathtub

Here's a search with Expedia listings. I'd book directly through the hotel though -
http://www.expedia.com/Clearwater-Be...l-Guide-Hotels

If we were to decide on a town like Seaside or Watercolor, which airport is preferred?

Destin is a busy place with many choices for accommodations, restaurants, fairly upscale shopping to outlets, etc. If you prefer the smaller and quaint areas the 30A advice is good. Rosemary Beach, near
Panama City, has become very popular. Panama City has a new airport. We have stayed at Adagio in Blue Mountain Beach several times. You are approximately a 30 minute drive into Destin from there.
The beaches in the area are beautiful and look like sugar. Check out www.vrbo.com. and www.resortquest.com. I just realized you are planning next week. Unfortunately a hurricane is
headed toward us so I would check out that situation because it could severely affect your weather.

I thought Irene was moving up the eastern coast? There's another one moving toward you too?

•Destin/Fort Walton Beach Airports *VPS - 35 miles
•Pensacola Airports *PNS - 70 miles
•Panama City Beach Airports *EPC - 40 miles away

Map = http://www.seasidefl.com/location.asp

The hurricane should be past Florida by next week.

http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/Destin+FL+32541

Not that I know of. Irene is headed toward NC right now and should be at NYC by mid-day on Saturday. Florida gulf weather reports = sunny weather for this weekend and next week.

I can't thank you all enough for all your help! I am normally a planner and have never really taken a last minute trip so I really appreciate all the info you have provided!

One more issue...will we need/want a car? Is there shuttle service from the airports to most of these locations? Are there places to eat or shop nearby that bike rentals would work once we're there?

Just checked and Irene does appear to be missing Florida at this point. I don't know if the weather and water will be affected negatively, hope not.

Another thought for you, www.sandestin.com/

Also, think you will want and need a car.