What location do you recommend for a family looking for quiet beaches, house or cottage rental, not a large resort or hotel. Which area has great beaches but is not likely to be swarming with college students? Thank you!

The water temperature is a bit chilly in March for me in Gulf Shores...

Gulf Shores has beautiful beaches, and it is pretty quiet so you likely won't have alot of college students. But, you should make sure you are not traveling during spring break. Gulf Shores is not that large, so there aren't too many different areas. In Gulf Shores I am partial to the Ft. Morgan area, and although I live in Alabama, I actually prefer the Florida panhandle beaches which aren't too far away.

My favorites in the Florida panhandle are Seagrove Beach and Grayton Beach because they are a little more relaxed than Destin, Seaside, or some of the other more developed newer areas such as Alys Beach or Rosemary Beach. Both Grayton Beach and Seagrove Beach have alot of houses for rent, which are reasonably priced during off season.

bkluvsNola is right, it will be chilly that time of year and water temperatures will be cold.

As others have mentioned, be advised that the water will probably be chilly at this time. I like Seagrove and the other 30-A beaches more, but like Gulf Shores, too. Look at the Phoenix rental properties on the beach.

Be warned. Anywhere in the FL panhandle will be full of high school and college students during the entire month of March.

That said, it is a great place to visit and the beaches are the prettiest in Florida.

Mah! How's it going???