Florida Panhandle in June
 

We are starting to plan a trip for our 15th anniversary in June. We love the beach and have taken several trips in the Caribbean but decided to stay in the states for this one (mainly hoping to use FF miles). We are considering the Florida panhandle but just not sure exactly where. We would like to stay on a beach that is not too crowded, reasonably priced (not too cheap or expensive) and it would be nice to be able to walk to restaurants & bars. We don't care so much if there is a hopping night life. Just a few bars to have drinks. Prefer a place that is not too touristy.<BR><BR>Any suggestions?<BR><BR>Thanks!<BR>Terri<BR><BR>P.S. Is this even a good time of year to go as far as weather & bugs?<BR>

Yes, June is a great time of year if you like weather and bugs. The panhandle should be plenty hot and steamy by June, and of course the bugs love this. Bring your lasso and catch a big 'un!<BR><BR>How on earth did you choose this location for June?

As I said, we love the beach and we’re doing this trip for our anniversary which is in June. I appreciate that you’re basically telling me this is a bad time to go but you could’ve been a little less condescending. <BR><BR>T<BR>

Sorry, didn't mean to offend. And I understand why you chose June. But Florida has a thousand miles of beaches and you chose the most inhospitable part. Why not go farther south?

Suzy's sarcasm is uncalled for, but she's right. June is warm and humid in the Panhandle - and Florida in general - especially so if you're coming from Colorado. Certainly not as bad as July and August, however. That said, if that's the only time you can go, the beach is about the best place to spend your time! <BR>

What do you suggest? We’ve been to the Keys and places along the east coast. How about Sanibel or Captiva? Or St. Petersburg? <BR><BR>I guess I was thinking the further south the more muggy & buggy. Do you live in Florida?<BR><BR>T<BR>

The panhandle is more muggy and buggy because it's less exposed to prevailing winds, which tend to be east/west. You can look things up at http://www.weathercenter.com/almanacs/home.htm<BR><BR>Sorry to hear that you've been to the keys and east coast, in your original post you said you'd been to the Caribbean.

I've always liked the beaches on the Florida's West Coast and Panhandle the best - there are some really pretty areas south of Tallahassee (St. George Island comes to mind), however, you are pretty far off the beaten path until you get west of Panama City into Destin/Fort Walton area and beyond. It may be too quiet for you there, especially for an extended trip. Getting to and from these beaches can be difficult via air, and you will probably need a car regardless of the airport you fly into. <BR>There's not much along the Big Bend area and south until you get to Tampa/St. Pete/Clearwater, which has nice beaches, bars and restaurants and a lot more to do but may not fit with your desire to avoid crowds and tourists. Then you've got Fort Myers/Captiva/Sanibel/Naples further south. I haven't spent much time on the beaches south of Tampa. <BR><BR>It does seem logical that the further south you go the more heat and bugs you will encounter, but actually there is generally a more consistent cooling ocean breeze the further south you go, especially on the east coast. North Florida in the summer can be brutal. Bugs are everywhere in Florida, so don't let that guide your decision. I haven't lived in Florida for 6 years, so others may be more up to date on specific recommendations. Good luck. <BR>

Tom, thank you for the useful information. Sounds like nice areas that should be visited at a different time of year. Know anything about the Carolina’s?<BR><BR>Why Suzy, yes, we’ve been to the Keys, the east coast AND the Caribbean. No need to be sorry about it. We had a great time in the Keys and although not thoroughly impressed with the east coast we still enjoyed ourselves.<BR><BR>T<BR>

North FL is beautiful! I just moved from Tallahassee to Roch. NY this wknd so I hope my info will be of use... <BR><BR>Bugs? There are many more flying critters in western NY than in FL, that is a misconception. I guess there are roaches in FL, but only in dirty places. <BR><BR>Spent a wknd last June in Pensacola Beach, beautiful beaches, decent walking town. Spent 2 wks ago on St. George Island, very quaint and perfect for an anniversary. Did Panama City in September - beautiful beaches, but the town is a bit trashy...<BR><BR>I can't really reccommend places to stay, as I was in grad school and did the cram-8-people-into-each-room thing, but the towns are worth seeing and will not be TOO hot in June. ENJOY!<BR><BR>As for the Sanibel and Captiva people - only if you have serious $$$$ to spend should you go there. <BR><BR>And I, like you Terri, was not impressed with the Keys.

I have heard that St. George's Island is nice... <BR><BR>Reconsider and head to Myrtle Beach, SC or Hilton Head, SC

By the way, KAM, I'll put money on the fact that you did not stay in Panama City, much less go through the town. Try "Panama City BEACH." They are two entirely different towns!

Hi Terri, This post caught my eye since I am originally from FL. and moved here to So. CA. from Ft. Walton Beach, FL. We still own a home there and plan to return to it in about another year. We have lived here for more than 14 years now, and only came because of work. I love CA. now and will miss the dry heat we have here. But it might be nice to get back to a more relaxed pace. FWB is a nice town and the panhandle has some of the most beautiful beaches you will find anyplace. A lot of them are still unspoiled. Not sure where to recommend you stay. Perhaps someplace around Santa Rosa Island, or you might try Destin. It is noted as the world's luckiest fishing village. The area is growing by leaps and bounds. Destin is almost one big condo........lots of beautiful spots there. June should be okay. I wouldn't go over the 4th of July or Spring Break, those kinds of times. It gets very crowded. If my memory is right they have the "Billy Bowlegs" parade etc. in June. Perhaps you might try looking into that. It is suppose to be the time the pirates invade the city. I don't know much about Panama City Beach. I know Pensacola is a bit more grown up. I think they even have a freeway there and when we lived in FWB a while back, we were so suprised to find an escalator in Pensacola! WOW! It was something FWB didn't have at the time. There is much good seafood to be had in that area. Very fresh. I would say it is not to expensive there. Not like here in CA. for sure. You will find plenty of small bars to have some drinks in. You will probably need a car depending on how much you want to explore etc. Don't worry about the bugs. It won't be that bad, trust me.

Have you thought about a private home on Sanibel Island for your vacation-if so please contact me for details<BR>

Unless you really have a limitless budget, I would steer clear of Sanibel/Captiva. Nice island, but the beaches are grainier and the water not as clear as the Panhandle. Great shelling though. Both regions will be hot and humid of course. The Panhandle doesn't get as much wind as the the peninsula of So. Fl, but it's hotter in Sanibel for sure. I've lived in Naples and Panama City Beach.<BR><BR>If you're looking at the Panhandle and wanting to stay away from tourist areas, I would suggest these places to research: Perdido Key AL, Navarre Beach FL, Beaches of South Walton (between Panama City Beach and Destin), St. George Island. Also in the South Walton area you have places like Santa Rosa Beach, Blue Mountain, and Sea Grove. <BR><BR>Places that are great but might be a bit too crowded are Seaside, Destin, Panama City Beach. However, if you go to the Panhandle beaches, the sand is soft and white and the water turquoise. "June Grass", a type of green algae pops up in the hotter summer months, but usually moreso in July and August. Also, read your fine print if you stay in a condo. Most have very stringent cancellation policies. Just FYI. Anyway, here are some links to some rental sites. And no, I'm not a realtor or anything like that. I used to work as a graphic designer doing marketing materials for these areas and I'm just passing on info. Hope it helps!<BR><BR>http://www.southwaltonbeachrentals.com/<BR><BR>http://www.resortquest.com/abbottresorts/<BR><BR>http://www.ecvr.com/

Wow. Thanks to you all for taking the time to give me such great information. This will make it a lot easier to decide where to go. Seems like St. George Island is the most popular. I think I will also consider S. Carolina.<BR><BR>Thanks again!<BR>Terri<BR>

Terri,<BR><BR>You've just got to try Destin! The panhandle is breathtakingly beautiful, with sandy white beaches (some of the most beautiful in the world), and Destin is a little more upscale than some of the other panhandle beaches, yet reasonable in price. There are tons of hotels and condos yet the area is not tacky like Panama City has become. I wouldn't recommend Panama City, by the way; t-shirt shacks line the streets, older hotels, that kind of thing. It's nickname is "Redneck Riviera." It's where the college kids go.<BR><BR>I took my husband to Destin for his first time 2 years ago and he absolutely fell in love with it. He had been to the east coast several times, but never the panhandle. We're planning to go to Destin twice this year, the first time being next weekend. My husband's hobby is real estate and he's itching to buy a condo there.<BR><BR>We've stayed at Surfside and Majestic Sun. I'd highly recommend both. They're across the street from the beach, but there is easy bridge access. Next week we're staying at the Beach Street Cottages. <BR><BR>Hope this helps. You would love Destin!<BR>

Terri<BR><BR>Destin is the place for you. I have been to beaches in New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii, Europe and Mexico and NO BEACH compares to the fine, white powdery sands of Destin. PLUS, they have many fine restaurants, thanks to the influx of chefs from Louisiana. I lived there from 1981 - 1991 at the Aegean condo, a nice, but older condo on Holiday Isle. You may not be able to walk easily to the restaurants but the drive will be pretty short. Go and enjoy the beautiful aquamarine water, gorgeous sunsets and wonderful, crisp, blue early morning walks on the beach. Destin is wonderful.

There's 3 good cites they are Gulf Shores, Panama City, and St. Petersburg.<BR>

Almost every summer of my live I've spent a week at a panhandle beach. This stretch of ocean is amoung the prettiest you will find. June is actually a wonderful time to go. Check out Seagrove Beach. It's halfway between Panama City and Destin. Seaside is nice, but pricey. Pensacola is nice as well. Also, if you are strictly interested in a pristine beach, look int St. George Island. There are only a few restaurants on the island, and you would probably need to rent a house. However, Appalachicola is right over the causeway, and it's a fun little town.

Terri,<BR><BR>I live year-round at Pensacola Beach. June is generally not overly hot. That hits in July and August. There is usually a light breeze most days and I can tell you from experience we're not nearly as hot as they are farther south. The beaches are far less crowded and things are less expensive. There are several very nice hotels and condos on the Island. Ditto restaurants and bars/lounges. A nice touch the local government has added is free trolley service throughout most of the Island on Fri. Sat. Sun. from midmorning until the wee hours.<BR><BR>As several others have said, the panhandle beaches are beautiful, bright white sand and turquoise water. As for bugs. If a place is clean, it isn't a problem and I have rarely been bitten by a mosquito. Humid, yes. The entire state is humid, most of the year, but it isn't unbearable, especially if you're just out sightseeing or sunbathing, not digging a ditch.<BR><BR>Those of us who live here say hurricanes are a little inconvenience we put up with in order to live in paradise. I decide to visit this general area, I think you'll enjoy it. <BR><BR>Frances

Bugs? More humidity than South Florida? East and west winds so it is hotter? It is obvious that this person has no idea what they are talking about.<BR><BR>To begin with, June is an ideal time to be on the beach in the Panhandle. There are no bugs to speak of. (They are probably thinking of October when biting flies appear) It is the beginning of the peak tourist season and there will be a lot of families, but the first two weeks of June are usually a little bit slower.<BR><BR>More humid than South Florida? In June, South Florida is just as hot as Northwest Florida, just hotter- and more humid.<BR><BR>No winds? I grew up sailing the Panhandle. Like clockwork,every summer the winds begin from the north and slowly turn to the south. By noon, the winds begin to build from the south. By late afternoon, the wind is usually blowing pretty fairly fromt the south. After nightfall, it subsides and starts its pattern anew. During the fall and winter months, it blows predominantly from the north. Hence, the biting flies that are blown from the inland.<BR><BR>Stay in the Seagrove Beach, Seaside or Grayton Beach area. You won't be disappointed.

Of course native son is correct. South Florida in the summer is a hot & humid buggy nightmare. That's why it's the OFF SEASON in places like Tampa, Sanibel, Boca, Miami, etc. <BR><BR>The Panhandle is wonderful in the summer, its high season. Of course it's hot, but it's summer, so what do you expect? From Pesacola to Port St. Joe, you can't go wrong in June.

Here's another vote for St. George Island. There is a hotel or two, but almost everyone rents a house. They are lovely and not very expensive. The food is excellent and if you get bored, you can drive across the bay and see how the locals live. This is a beautiful area and the people are great. I think June is a fine month to visit. Have fun.

Being from Panama City, the only beach that I will go to after Easter & before Labor Day is Mexico Beach ~ it is tourist free for the most part.<BR><BR>It is on the Gulf Coast right to the east of Tyndall AFB. It is also right down the road from St. Joseph Beach (just voted #1 beach) and a little further down the coast is St. George Island.<BR><BR>http://www.mexicobeach.com/cdc/

Thanks for starting this dialog, Terri. It has been interesting reading the replies. We've lived in Sarasota for 13 years and Finally I feel we must visit the much acclaimed beaches of the Panhandle. Can anyone narrow down the St. George Island, Destin, Santa Rosa Island accomodations. We will be travelling with our 13 year old son and we want a swimming pool option. Don't let the bugs, heat, humidity issues scare you, when you're emphasizing the beach, pool vacation these become non-issues.

We love the strip between Panama City & Destin...Seagrove Beach in particular. An above post recommended a South Walton Beaches website. That site lists those realtors who run the area. Grayton Beach, Blue Mountain, etc. All the little towns along tht strip are beautiful, quiet, non-commercia and romantic. There are a lot of great restaurants & Seaside (Did you see the Truman Show? It was filmed in Seaside...) has a wonderful Gourmet market (the Modica market) with gourmet carryout & groceries (and wines.) So, you don't have to eat out every meal if you don't want to.<BR><BR>We were just in Pensacola Beach for a long weekend at the end of April. No markets...you pretty much have to eat each meal out (which is OK.) The beach life out there is pretty laid back & the sand / water is beautiful. I would go back to the South Walton Beaches.

Kate,<BR><BR>If you're ever back at Pensacola Beach, we do have a small grocery store. It's called the Market on the Island and has a little bit of everything. Not the huge brand selection of a chain grocery, but it's more than adequate and the prices are reasonable. It's on the main drag, next to the marina so you can't miss it.<BR><BR>Frances

June is the best month to go to the Fla panhandle. Try a search for ResortQuest. We've stayed for years at Perdido Key, Fla (not Alabama) at Sandy Key condos. The beaches are beautiful on a good year and average on a bad year. Does not compare to the places i've been in the Carribean, but a very relaxing vacation when you can't do the Carribean. Also look at Grayton Beach a bit further south.