re: 30a is a great place to vacation no matter what the OT thinks

September is my favorite time to go. Prices drop after Labor Day and kids are back in school which help with the crowds

As mentioned, anytime that's not Spring Break/Summer, really.

On holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.) it still gets slammed but it's a more "laid back" busy. The entire atmosphere changes when you don't have hordes of families crowding toward the beaches/pools all the time in sweltering heat with coolers, floats and tents. And listen I understand why it's like that in the Summer, it's the beach in the summer, but in the fall/winter people spend more time inside and diversify their activities, and it just completely changes the feel around the towns and on the beaches.

My family probably likes Sept/October the most because you can still count on some very beachy days. I like November. It's usually sunny, crisp, but plenty warm enough to hang out on the beach in the afternoon. It's also much nicer to walk or bike around the area that time of year. Clear, high 50s mornings with shorts and a pullover walking/biking with the kids to get a donut and coffee, etc. Beach in the afternoon, maybe college football with the gulf in the background. Early sunset drinks on the beach from Chiringo before doing the Red Bar thing, all in normal clothes without sweating. That's the ideal for me.