Ready to hit the beach? It’s not too late to stretch your summer a little further with a trip down to Florida.
30-A/Beaches of South Walton
How many times have you seen those blue 30A stickers on cars and wondered what it means? For those not in the know about this heavenly stretch of beaches, Scenic Highway 30-A runs along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico in Florida’s panhandle (between Sandestin and Panama City).
The Beaches of South Walton area is largely comprised of the 28.5-mile corridor of 30-A, which is home to idyllic small town after small town of adorable neighborhoods—each with its own unique flavor and personality. The towns of 30-A include popular hotspots like Rosemary Beach, Watercolor and Seaside, along with other burgeoning neighbors like Dune Allen, Santa Rosa Beach, Grayton Beach, Seagrove Beach, Watersound, Alys Beach and Seacrest Beach, among others. Brilliant emerald green waters and extra fine white sand make 30-A’s beaches easily some of the most picturesque and beautiful in the Southeast.
With a plethora of great restaurants, a 19-mile long paved bike path and several untouched state parks to explore, 30-A makes for a memorable beach vacation for both couples and families alike. While there are a few resorts in the area to choose from, the majority of vacationers (especially families) opt to rent homes or condos—which are usually more economical and packed with amenities to make you feel right at home.
For a real indulgence, stay at The Pearl Hotel, a trendy and sexy enclave of 55 hotel rooms in Rosemary Beach that makes for a dreamy adults-only getaway. The rooms even come equipped with an iPad that uses a special app for you to make dinner reservations, room service calls or Concierge requests—all with a simple swipe. For more info or where to stay, visit discover30a.com or visitsouthwalton.com.
Cap San Blas
If peaceful seclusion is what you’re looking for, head to the quiet beach community of Cape San Blas in the Florida panhandle, a 17-mile long barrier peninsula that curves around St. Joseph Bay. White sand and calm surf offer the perfect escape for the whole family (including four-legged furry members thanks to the dog-friendly beaches) looking to kick back and re-charge.
Enjoy some adventure exploring the bay on kayak or wade through the grassy flats looking for starfish, scallops and other sea life. Or get in some exercise walking or biking on the Loggerhead Run Bike Path, an 8-mile trail that runs the length of the Cape. Vacation home rentals are the way to go here (check out popular sites like vrbo.com). For more info or lodging options, visit capesanblas.com or visitgulf.com.
Amelia Island
Not far from the Georgia-Florida border, Amelia Island is a barrier island located off the Atlantic coast of northeast Florida with 13 miles of pristine, white sand beaches framed by picturesque sand dunes. The beauty of nature is on full display here, with live oaks draped with Spanish moss, salt marshes full of birds, maritime forests and five area state parks of unspoiled wilderness. Nature lovers can go horseback riding on the white sand beaches and the island’s forest trails or visit the nature center for a kayak tour of local wildlife, among a myriad of other eco-tourism-themed activities.
The area is brimming with history as well—notably seen in the preserved Victorian architecture of downtown Fernandina Beach on the island. History buffs will want to check out the Amelia Island Museum of History (the first spoken-history museum) or take a walking tour of the 50-block downtown historic district of Fernandina Beach. The downtown area also offers unique shops to peruse for a little retail therapy.
With more than 90 restaurants—from seafood shacks, pubs, pizzerias and cafes to Italian bistros, tapas restaurants and fine dining—there's something to satisfy most vacationers' palates (and budgets). The same goes for lodging, with a variety of accommodations available. For a luxe, classic family beach vacation, head to The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island (ritzcarlton.com), which is offering a number of new programs this year to entertain the entire family—including an updated kids center, horseback riding on the beach, kayaks on the creek, and special summer packages and promotions, among other offerings. (The resort even has its own resident astronomer who will set up on the beach to help you explore the night sky's constellations, stars and planets with a high-tech telescope.) Or check out the sprawling Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort (omnihotels.com) set on 1,350 acres (don't miss the 10,000-sq.-ft. family-friendly pool and splash park). For a more budget-friendly option, spend some time in one of the quaint B&Bs around town or a laid-back seaside inn. For more info, visit ameliaisland.com.
Siesta Key
With gleaming white, super-fine quartz sand and brilliant turquoise water, it’s easy to see how Siesta Key (its public beach, Siesta Beach, to be exact) has won its fair share of “best beach” lists. Located just a short drive from Sarasota on the southwest coast of Florida, the 8-mile long barrier island is also home to Crescent Beach and Turtle Beach, as well as preserved mangrove shores and beautiful banyan trees.
Warm, clear waters attract swimmers, while a wide shore brings on volleyball enthusiasts. The 99 percent pure quartz sand stays cool as a cucumber on your feet, despite blazing summer temps—so no worries for little ones who prefer to go barefoot (i.e. refuse to put on shoes). Choose from several hotels or opt to rent one of the many condos in the area for your vaca. For more info or lodging, visit siestakeychamber.com or visitsarasota.org.
Sanibel Island/Captiva
Just off the coast and west of Fort Myers, Fla., Sanibel Island and Captiva are known for their amazing shelling, boasting 250 kids of seashells to explore on their shores of the Gulf. The laid-back, family-friendly islands offer 15 miles of beaches, 50 kinds of fish, 25 miles of bike paths and zero traffic lights (seriously).
Sanibel’s atypical east-west orientation rewards its beaches with a plethora of shells, keeping kids busy scouring for beach treasures like sand dollars and colorful little seashells in a variety of shapes and sizes. Calm tidal pools at low tide also offer plenty of fun for splashing and discovering sea creatures. Casual shops, restaurants and galleries dot the island and offer a little something extra in addition to spending long lazy days on the beach.
Sanibel's sister island, Captiva, is even sleepier, offering a secluded, no-frills beach getaway to decompress. Vacation rental options abound and are the popular route here, although several traditional hotels are also available. For more info, visit sanibel-captiva.org.
Delray Beach
The once-sleepy retiree community of Delray Beach is now a vibrant beach town with upscale amenities to add a little sophistication to your beach trip. Part of Palm Beach County in southeast Florida (between West Palm Beach and Boca Raton), the small town of Delray Beach is designed as a “village by the sea,” featuring the longest main street in the state, called Atlantic Avenue. Brick sidewalks and gaslight-style street lamps add a quaint and cozy touch, while gourmet restaurants, cafes, art galleries and boutiques provide plenty of entertainment (the nightlife isn’t too shabby either). The downtown area is known for hosting a slew of family-friendly festivals, from their Garlic Fest to the Delray Beach Wine & Seafood Festival, and more.
This intimate, walkable town is right on the Atlantic Ocean, with two miles of beautiful beaches, where you can snorkel, surf, kayak or sail the day away. A host of varying accommodations provides lodging, from casual beach motels to boutique properties to chic hotels. Stay at Crane's Beach House Boutique Hotel & Luxury Villas (cranesbeachhouse.com), an intimate, Key West-style romantic hideaway with lush outdoor areas and chic rooms for a pampering, posh sojourn, or check in to the Colony Hotel (colonyflorida.com) in downtown Delray Beach for a dose of old world Florida charm—you'll also get private ocean access via Colony's Cabaña Club. For more info, visit delraybeach.com.
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