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Destin, Mirimar, Blue Mountain help needed
Posted on 5/3/23 at 11:49 am
Posted on 5/3/23 at 11:49 am
Thinking about heading to the Destin area this weekend. I haven't been to this area in 10 years (or more) and I'm looking for something quick and easy.....I'd likely prefer to hit up a public beach area rather than be shoulder to shoulder with the masses. Was thinking I'd likely find a hotel instead of beachfront accommodations. It's just wife (no pics) and I and we typically hit the beach early until late afternoon....clean up, go out for dinner then do it all again the next day.
Any public beaches to recommend? Easy parking and reasonable access to beach?? I looked up Topsail Hill State Park, but really know nothing about the area and access to the white sands.
Hotel recs would be appreciated too (if anyone has something suggestions).
TIA
Any public beaches to recommend? Easy parking and reasonable access to beach?? I looked up Topsail Hill State Park, but really know nothing about the area and access to the white sands.
Hotel recs would be appreciated too (if anyone has something suggestions).
TIA
9
Posted on 5/3/23 at 11:51 am to failuretocommunicate
Henderson beach state park is pretty wide open and not too many people, while still centrally located in destin.
Could stay at the Henderson Beach Resort and walk to the state park portion. Or Stay at the Henderson Inn which is adults only I think.
Could stay at the Henderson Beach Resort and walk to the state park portion. Or Stay at the Henderson Inn which is adults only I think.
This post was edited on 5/3/23 at 11:56 am
Posted on 5/3/23 at 12:13 pm to failuretocommunicate
If you're willing to drive a little further, any of the beaches along Hwy 30A are awesome and less commercialized than the Destin area.
Grayton Beach is a hidden gem. Chiringo and The Red Bar are 2 cool little beach type bars with great food/drinks.
The Seaside/Seagrove area is awesome as well with several good food options. This area is usually more crowded than Grayton though.
We've always booked a house so I'm not sure about hotels.
Grayton Beach is a hidden gem. Chiringo and The Red Bar are 2 cool little beach type bars with great food/drinks.
The Seaside/Seagrove area is awesome as well with several good food options. This area is usually more crowded than Grayton though.
We've always booked a house so I'm not sure about hotels.
This post was edited on 5/3/23 at 12:14 pm
Posted on 5/3/23 at 1:07 pm to GoldBlooded
quote:
Grayton Beach is a hidden gem.
Don’t you tell people about Grayton beach lol.
You can actually go in to the State Park there and walk down to the beach. There is no hotels near the park so the beach is pretty empty, and on the other side of the park is a private neighborhood.
Or you can park over by Red Bar and walk down.
Posted on 5/3/23 at 3:48 pm to Hermit Crab
quote:
Henderson beach state park is pretty wide open and not too many people, while still centrally located in destin.
Could stay at the Henderson Beach Resort and walk to the state park portion. Or Stay at the Henderson Inn which is adults only I think.
Excellent suggestion.
Other public beaches: Crab Trap and Pompano Joe's.
Posted on 5/3/23 at 4:00 pm to failuretocommunicate
If you are just doing a quick weekend kind of get-a-way, you def. want a hotel. The fees on a condo aren't worth it.
There isn't much hotel wise down 30A east of Destin. You have Henderson Park Inn and The Pearl. Both are very expensive.
I wouldn't think this weekend would be all that crowded no matter where you go. Hilton has a pretty nice resort in Destin(San Destin).
There isn't much hotel wise down 30A east of Destin. You have Henderson Park Inn and The Pearl. Both are very expensive.
I wouldn't think this weekend would be all that crowded no matter where you go. Hilton has a pretty nice resort in Destin(San Destin).
Posted on 5/3/23 at 5:02 pm to notiger1997
quote:
I wouldn't think this weekend would be all that crowded no matter where you go. Hilton has a pretty nice resort in Destin(San Destin).
Yeah this weekend shouldn’t be too bad, but that will quickly change after next weekend.
Most of those rentals the check in/out is on Saturday so you have people coming and going all day and they dont really hit the beach. So for weekend trips on 30a if you can find a place that you can check in Friday and out Sunday you will have the beach mostly to yourself the Saturday that you are there.
Posted on 5/3/23 at 5:07 pm to failuretocommunicate
It's dead here right now. This weekend will be no different, but only about 3 weeks left of that.
If you plan to drink on the beach, stay away from the state parks.
The Henderson and Pearl are your two best options for hotels and both have good rooftop bars. I'm not a fan of the Hilton Sandestin. Too many people at that resort.
As for food, Cuve 30A, Pazzos, Seagars, Georges, Cafe 30A, Bud & Allys are all good. There are more, but those ar my personal favorites.
Posted on 5/3/23 at 6:12 pm to SippyCup
quote:
The Henderson and Pearl
They’re also like $800/night right now
Sounds like this guy is looking for a best western type spot
Posted on 5/3/23 at 6:42 pm to GoldBlooded
quote:
Grayton Beach is a hidden gem
Used to be hidden
I would go there in the 80’s and stay in a cabin on the beach for $400/week. Very few people around. The red bar was a grocery store. Eventually it became the bar and we’d go in there, listen to music and drink all night. Mostly locals there
Now they’re all gone and it’s crowded as hell
Posted on 5/3/23 at 9:08 pm to SlidellCajun
Wow thats crazy. I guess its a hidden gem to me because I didn’t know anything about it until a few years ago lol. We just so happened to book a house there for a family beach trip and we all loved it. We couldn’t believe we had never heard of it. We’ve been to a few other areas along 30a since then and Grayton is still my favorite.
Posted on 5/3/23 at 9:27 pm to SlidellCajun
quote:
The red bar was a grocery store. Eventually it became the bar and we’d go in there, listen to music and drink all night. Mostly locals there Now they’re all gone and it’s crowded as hell
Yeah it was busy before it burned down. Now it’s really ridiculous. AJs right there is always slammed too.
Posted on 5/3/23 at 10:05 pm to GynoSandberg
quote:
Sounds like this guy is looking for a best western type spot
Going to have to head to Gulf Shores for that. LOL
OP, if you want a white beach, Marriott has a property in Navarre. It’s not real crowded there and the on-site restaurant is pretty good.
Pensacola Beach also has a Hilton Resort
Posted on 5/4/23 at 4:25 am to failuretocommunicate
quote:
Topsail Hill State Park, but really know nothing about the area and access to the white sands.
Topsail has a shuttle that will take you from the parking area down to the boardwalk for beach access. The boardwalk is still a hike (400yds or more if I’m remembering correctly). The beach there is nice and there is also an artificial reef for snorkeling if that is your thing.
Topsail is very bike friendly and there are trails throughout the park. You can also ride your bike down to the beach access.
Posted on 5/4/23 at 6:25 am to failuretocommunicate
You can park at the public beaches on 30A. I’d go to the one in Santa Rosa—park across from shunk gulley. There’s also a good beer spot next door. Honestly you could grab a room at the courtyard Marriott at grandview for fairly cheap unless you want to be on the beach
This post was edited on 5/4/23 at 6:29 am
Posted on 5/4/23 at 8:06 am to failuretocommunicate
Hotel Effie at Sandestin might be a little cheaper than Henderson or the Pearl. I’ve heard mixed reviews as to whether it’s worth the price, but it has a rooftop bar and is right in Baytown.
Posted on 5/4/23 at 9:42 pm to GoldBlooded
quote:
We’ve been to a few other areas along 30a since then and Grayton is still my favorite.
Gotta admit that I still love it
Great memories and lots of things I’ve forgotten but assume they were great
There’s an inner spot to Grayson that still has the old beach cabins. They also have some cool spots on the inlet.
The red bar, as crowded as it is, is still very cool and the way they rebuilt it after the fire is mind blowing in the accuracy of the original
Posted on 5/5/23 at 6:48 am to failuretocommunicate
If you’re looking for just a basic hotel the Wingate is pretty nice and is around 150/ night for next weekend. It’s not right on the beach but is very centrally located. I’ve stayed there a couple times on quick weekend trips to the area and it’s a good value if you wanna enjoy the area and not break the bank.
Posted on 5/5/23 at 7:16 am to Coater
quote:
You can park at the public beaches on 30A. I’d go to the one in Santa Rosa—park across from shunk gulley.
There’s also a good one right across from Stinky’s Fish Camp.
Posted on 5/5/23 at 7:41 am to failuretocommunicate
Down 30a right East of Seaside there is Deer Lake State Park. It is the least populated beach I have ever been to from Fort Walton to Panama City. You will have basically the whole Gulf beach to yoursel (maybe 1 or 2 other families).. the only downside is you have to walk about 100yds across the boardwalk to get there.
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