My husband & I want to stay on a beach somewhere in the panhandle b/w Mar-May 2003. We have never been there before. When and where are the spring breakers? We do not want to be with them. Also, if we could get a few ideas of where to stay, we'd appreciate it. We like to stay on the beach in a condo so we can make some of our meals. We don't need mega-resorts, hi-rises or golf. We like nice views and a clean beach and water or walking & sunning. We will go out for some meals, but a big nightlife is not a requirement. Thanks for any advice.

The panhandle doesn't have any beach that I know of and it snowed there last night. Might want to rethink this.

My family goes to Destin every May and we always have a wonderul time. We rent a condo/house near the beach and it is rarely crowded in early May. A lot of the rental agencies in the area appear to have contract clauses they prevent renting to people under 25 as a way of avoiding Spring Breakers.

Destin has some of the most beautiful beaches on the Mainland.

I looked at the title quickly and thought it was a question about "panhandlers."

Like Chuck, I thought it was Texas until I came to the word "beach". Forgot this state has a panhandle too. gt;

Lo, steer clear of Panama City Beach area...that's the spring break mecca. Areas like Destin or Seaside are better, but still will get some folks...more families though, than the college crowd. Actually if you are going as early as March, I wouldn't even think about doing the panhandle as it's still too cold there. Come a bit further south, from Clearwater on down for a better chance for pleasant weather. Even in the Tampa Bay area, though visitors do swim, I wouldn't consider getting in the water before April!

Oklahoma has a pan handle (its the Oklahoma panhandle not the Texas panhandle!!) too, the beaches are spectacular!! especially in the winter.

Don't forget Nebraska's panhandle--a brisk 20 degrees here today!

Hey Joebob...
I Was talking about the Texas panhandle, not the Oklahoma panhandle. Pay attention.

hey chuck,

I was trying to start a panhandle war. My panhandle is better than your panhandle (and bigger too!!)

joebob, get your "big" panhandle out of your mouth.

Anyway...

We always stay in Seaside when we go to Florida. Its gotten more crowded over the years due to its popularity but its never going to attract the spring break partiers. I love having my own house, parking the car and walking everywhere, and the beach is gorgeous. I've been there in the middle of the summer when its been packed and the pools are a nightmare but there is so much beautiful beach why go to the pool anyway?

My sister went to Cape San Blas during spring break and had it pretty much to themselves. They rented a cabin close to the beach. This area has nice beaches.

Check out St. George Island. The island's beach is beautiful. I'm sure no spring breakers would go to St. George, there wouldn't be enough action for them. There's only two condo complexes on the island, most people rent a vacation house.

Doesn't Alaska have a panhandle also?

Given what you said you are looking for I would recommend somewhere along the "forgotten coast" part of the panhandle. This area starts in St. George and extends to Mexico Beach. St. George is very nice (and right next to historic Appilachicola), a little more upscale and therefore more expensive (it's actually an island), but you will find nice condos for rent in St. Joe or Mexico Beach. Many of the houses/condos for rent are pretty new, because the hurricane a few years ago destroyed many of the old ones. The beaches are wide and not crowded - even during spring break. Here are some websites to get you started:

www.mexicobeach.com (Mexico Beach & Port St. Joe)
www.baynavigator.com (St. George & Appilach)
http://www.ecofloridamag.com/archive...ort_st_joe.htm (about Cape San Blas)

Real Estate Sites:
www.florida-beach.com
http://www.vrbo.com/vrbo/flpanhandle.htm
www.mexicobeachproperties.com
www.gulfcoastrentals.com

We stay at Islanders Beach Resort in Fort Walton Beach. It's a beautiful beach with ocean front condos. Free golf, beach chairs, and videos. Check out their web site at http://www.destin-fwb.com/Lodging/in...m?id=1168&c=45.

Thanks to everyone who gave me helpful advice. I really appreciate it. Not sure what to say about all the "other" responses.

If you can push the trip to May, you'd be happier with the weather and the water temperature. We like to stay in the South Walton Beach area - do a search for beach houses. I know Abbott Realty is a big concern there. There are also some beautiful resorts, like Seaside and Rosemary Beach. Pricey, but gorgeous and they are NOT what you'd consider mega-resorts.

The Destin area caters to families and it gets quieter as you go east (but stop before you get to Panama City!). It gets very quiet east of PC. The whole area is booming right now, lots of building, though from reading posts here, I guess it still qualifies as the forgotten coast...

It is truly beautiful there - enjoy.

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama are great beach areas to stay at and are not far from the Florida panhandle. I've stayed there many times, in condos, and really had a great time. If you go to www.google.com and type in "Gulf Shores" or "Orange Beach" you will be linked with many websites about these two areas. You can then find some information on renting condos. There are a ton of real estate agencies in this area and you should have no problem finding a condo right on the beach. There is also a huge outlet mall complex in Foley, Alabama, which is just a 15 to 20 minute drive from Gulf Shores/Orange Beach. If you like shopping, you'll enjoy this place.