We are planning a trip to the Panhandle and have heard good things about Fort WAlton Beach and SGI. Which area is better and why? I prefer the old Florida feel. We are a family with 12/15 yr olds. Plan on doing many outdoor activities. WE love to run and ride bikes. Is any one area better for this?Any help would be appreciated.

I think RVN is the best choice.

SGI

Waldo what is Rvn and can you tell me why?

Ft. Walton:
Pros: Lots to do for teenagers. Plenty of restaurants, shopping etc. Right accross the bridge from Destin. Georgous beaches. Plenty of accomodations to choose from.

Cons: Crowded. Traffic. Not as upscale as Destin (but still perfectly nice.) Not a great place for biking but there might be biking trails I don't know about.

SGI:
Pros: Beautiful, secluded, uncrowded, no traffic, good place to bike, nice state park

Cons: No activities for teenagers (if the beach and biking is not enough to keep them happy). Beach is pretty but not as nice as Ft. Walton. Very few restaurants on the island (but more accross the bridge in Apalachicola).

OK having said all that, may I make a suggestion? Consider the Beaches of South Walton.

http://beachesofsouthwalton.com/

http://sowal.com/
(Click on "photos")

The BSW are a string of beach communities runing along highway 30A between Panama City and Destin. These beaches are uncrowded and georgous. There is a biking/running/walking trail that runs the length of 30A (twenty or so miles). My husband and I ride every morning when we are there then stop for coffee or breakfast. We usually don't even get in the car except to go out to dinner.

http://www.discover30a.com/tour/tour.html

I realize you didn't ask about other beaches but it sounds like you are not real familiar with the panhandle and, as a long time panhandle resident, I thought I would suggest my favorite area.

I still like RVN

A 2nd vote for South Walton. Sounds exactly what you are looking for.

Each year, my brother in law spends a week at a beach with two or three other families. They have vacationed in Myrtle Beach, Virginia Beach, Fort Walton, Panama City Beach (where inlaws own two condos) and St George Island, to name a few. They spent a week at SGI this past Sept and were bored to death. The children, ages 10-14, said there was nothing to do but spend time on the beach. They would not go back.

What and where is RVN?? What's it like?

Sunshinesue: How bad is it to cross A30 when staying on the far side from the beach near where Hwy 395 comes in?
We will have a toddler with us.

Lisariley,

I agree with the suggestions of the 30A beaches. They are fantastic. Beautiful beaches, lots of restaurants and shops nearby, easy to get around from one to the other, especially on bike. Personally, I do not care for Ft. Walton or Destin anymore, as they are too crowded.

My favorite is Seagrove. Rent a house in Seagrove, rent bikes and ride to Seaside. Seagrove has that old Florida feel, is less expensive than Seaside or Watercolor, but you can ride your bikes there. Grayton beach is also good.

Somebody asked a similar question a few weeks ago to which I posted several links and more detailed information. I'll find that link and post it here shortly.

Forgot to mention - the week of Memorial Day.

Here's the link to that other thread. It has lots of great info.

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

Here is some more info on South Walton, which is a much better choice than Ft. Walton for a less developed (tourist) vacation.

http://floridabeachblog.com/content/section/23/97/

NGail,
Don't feel badly, I live in Pensacola (PNS) and don't have the foggiest idea what SGI OR RVN are...
It's a mystery.

hey zelphiacat,

I'm at Pensacola Beach and I'm with you on the initial thing. However, I wonder if Waldo may have been teasing lisa a bit for using SGI which really is a mystery acronym for most of us.

lisa,

While I agree that the beaches of South Walton are great, give a thought to Pensacola Beach as well. In addition to our great beach we have other things to do which your 12/15 year olds might enjoy. The Museum of Naval Aviation on the base is a great place and the museum itself is free. They do charge for the IMAX theater, though. Also a lot of great history in our area.

What time of year are you planning for?

Fran

I'm assuming SGI is St. George Island. Perfect for hanging out at the beach, biking with restaurants to choose from. I'd pick it for running and biking.

St, George Island is so small and really,I was not impressed

Good thing I didn't suggest Indian Pass then! LOL!

Starrs,



Anyone who does not know what SGI stands for would not be able to answer the question anyway.

oldsouthernbelle,

I have never had any trouble crossing 30A. The traffic moves very slowly in the more congested areas and there are also stop signs for the cars.