Northwest Florida Getaways 2008 - (Page 30) uth Walton 71 98 Lynn Haven 12 65 22 Wewahitchka Tallahassee Regional Airport Crawfordville 319 61 Panama City Beach Panama City Bay County International Airport 98 Sopchoppy Panacea 319 Mexico Beach 67 65 Carrabelle 98 Alligator Point St. George Island 98 Cape San Blas Eastpoint Port 30 Apalachicola 300 St. Joe 98 300 Why You’ll Go: To enjoy a pristine waterfront mixed with a Southern small-town flair. The bustle of larger shore enclaves is decidedly lacking here, and that’s how regulars like it. Spend your vacation swimming, trying to spot dolphins in the Gulf, and shelling. Don’t forget to bring your fishing rod – plenty of people cast right from the shore. Here, you can literally step back and forth in time; this Gulf County beach is famous for being in two time zones. Off the Sand: Despite Mexico Beach’s laidback feel, you will find a town boasting souvenir shops and other stores to explore. Seafood restaurants abound. Why You’ll Go: Nine miles of undeveloped, isolated beach graced by towering sand dunes. (See story page 8.) Camping sites are available, lifeguards are not. You’ll find terrific shelling and boat ramps. Launch to catch sea trout, redfish, mackerel and other species. What the Locals Know: Birdwatchers visit in the fall, when you can spot migrating birds heading for their winter homes in South America. Falcons, hawks, and kestrels also flap their wings. Keep Your Eyes Peeled: You’ll love driving the four-mile bridge that provides access to St. George Island from mainland Eastpoint. When you get there, restaurants include Oyster Cove, Finns Grill & Bar, Blue Parrot Oceanfront Café and Harry A’s Porch Club and Oyster Bar. Panama City Beach parasailing. If You Go Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce: 800-874-1234, www.visitpensacola.com; Perdido Key State Park: 850-492-1595, www.floridastateparks.org/perdidokey; Beaches of South Walton: 800-822-6877, www.beachesofsouthwalton.com; Artists at Gulf Place: 850-622-0400, www.gulfplace.com; Blue Parrot Oceanfront Café: 68 West Gorrie Drive, St. George, 850-927-2987; Finns Grill & Bar, 40 West Gorrie Drive, St. George, 850-927-3340, Miss Lucille’s Gossip Parlor: 850-267-2522, www.thegossipparlor.com; Oyster Cove: St. George, 850-927-2600; Topsail Hill Preserve State Park: 850-267-0299, www.floridastateparks.org; Grayton Beach State Park: 850-231-4210, www.floridastateparks.org; Harry A’s Porch Club and Oyster Bar: 10 West Bayshore Drive, St. George, 850-927-9810, Seaside: 850-231-5424, www.seasidefl.com; Roly Poly Original Rolled Sandwiches: 850-231-3799; Panama City Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau: 1-800-PCBEACH, www.thebeachloversbeach.com; Mexico Beach Community Development Council: 850-648-8196, www.mexicobeach.com; St. George Island State Park: 850-927-2111, www.floridastateparks.org. About the author: Laura Spinale of New Port Richey, Florida is a devoted Gulf beach fan. She has written for numerous publications, including The Philadelphia Inquirer. Why You’ll Go: For everything. This is Northern Florida’s unabashedly touristfriendly beach. Families flock here to take advantage of the surf, amusement parks, fishing charters, water sports concessions, and seafood restaurants. Down Deep: Divers find a plethora of wrecks to explore. Grownups’ Night Out: Hire a sitter and while the night away at the city’s beach bars and clubs. 30 VISITFLORIDA.com/northwest http://www.visitpensacola.com http://www.floridastateparks.org/perdidokey http://www.beachesofsouthwalton.com http://www.gulfplace.com http://www.thegossipparlor.com http://www.floridastateparks.org http://www.floridastateparks.org http://www.seaside.com http://www.thebeachloversbeach.com http://www.mexicobeach.com http://www.floridastateparks.org http://VISITFLORIDA.com/northwest
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