December weather and activities around Christmas in SoWal

[wetwilly]

Anyone have the average temps for December in SoWal? Also, a calendar of events for the Christmas and New Years holidays in SoWal. I know it is quiet compared to the busy Spring/Summer season but I have a renter that is coming in for New Years and wants to know what the weather is like and Holiday activities at Seaside, Rosemary or other venues. Any info would be great.

[Paula]

If you look for the online calendars for Rosemary Beach, Seaside, and Baytowne wharf, they may have posted their fall/winter events already. There are also community calendars online.

When we come to the area in the winter, we hang out at the beach (even if it means sweatshirts, but so far we've been able to be out in bathing suits most days, but then again we're from the north so we'll go out in bathing suits at 65 degrees -- the teenagers and college students up here wear shorts as soon as the temperature gets up to about 50 degrees in the spring! They'll even wear flip flops if the snow has melted.). We also go out for dinner at the restaurants in town. The kids go to the Track for an afternoon in Destin because that's open (near the Big Kahunas). We usually travel with extended family over the holiday, so we're happy just being together in such a beautiful place with beaches and fine eating places.

By the way, Hanukkah falls between Christmas and New Years this year, so let's hope we see some beautiful menorrah's being lighted on the beach at sundown... It's a wonderful, meaningful and simple tradition that can take your breath away. All over the world, on each night of Hanukkah at sundown, families light one more of 8 candles on the menorrah until all are lit on the last night.

[drsvelte]

I have a renter that is coming in for New Years and wants to know what the weather is like and Holiday activities at Seaside, Rosemary or other venues. Any info would be great.

Great fireworks at midnite New Year's eve at Baytowne Wharf in Sandestin.

[kurt]

http://www.sowal.com/events.html


http://graytonbeach.com/weather.html

[Beach Runner]

We love to come to the beach between Christmas and New Year's just to relax after all of the pre-Christmas activities. We sleep late, eat seafood, indulge in adult beverages, walk on the beach, ride bikes, watch lots of movies, etc. - basically we're lazy bums. As it gets closer to New Year's Eve, a lot of people do fireworks on the beach, so that's fun to watch. On New Year's Eve we've tried the $100 per person meal/party at Bud & Alley's, but we've decided we prefer grilling some fresh seafood. Then we go to the beach, do our own fireworks (yes, we clean up our litter), then go back to the house and get into the spa that we've cranked up to 100 degrees. On New Year's Day we watch college football while admiring the Gulf of Mexico, and I cook black-eyed peas with hog jowl, greens, cornbread, and pork roast. Really a relaxing, fun time of the year to be on 30-A!

[Landlocked]

We love to come to the beach between Christmas and New Year's just to relax after all of the pre-Christmas activities. We sleep late, eat seafood, indulge in adult beverages, walk on the beach, ride bikes, watch lots of movies, etc. - basically we're lazy bums. As it gets closer to New Year's Eve, a lot of people do fireworks on the beach, so that's fun to watch. On New Year's Eve we've tried the $100 per person meal/party at Bud & Alley's, but we've decided we prefer grilling some fresh seafood. Then we go to the beach, do our own fireworks (yes, we clean up our litter), then go back to the house and get into the spa that we've cranked up to 100 degrees. On New Year's Day we watch college football while admiring the Gulf of Mexico, and I cook black-eyed peas with hog jowl, greens, cornbread, and pork roast. Really a relaxing, fun time of the year to be on 30-A!

Now that sounds like a great holiday.

[Paula]

Hey, how come no one thinks my idea of going to "the Track" in Destin between Christmas and New Years sounds enticing (frankly, I didn't go either - my husband and brother-in-law brought the kids...). They had a great time. They also rented those multiple person bicycles in Seaside and road around Seaside. These are the kinds of things the kids -- ages 5 to 13 -- loved (in addition to going to the beach).

[skier]

Anyone have the average temps for December in SoWal? Also, a calendar of events for the Christmas and New Years holidays in SoWal. I know it is quiet compared to the busy Spring/Summer season but I have a renter that is coming in for New Years and wants to know what the weather is like and Holiday activities at Seaside, Rosemary or other venues. Any info would be great.

Wetwilly,

I'm not sure of the average temps, but we have spent a couple of weeks around Christmas and New Years in SoWal the past two years and the weather (except for a couple of days) was wonderful. It is cool, but we had many days that approached the low seventies. Nights are a bit cooler, but not bad at all.

There were many days we actually spent on the beach in shorts and sweatshirts when the kids played in the sand. Some brave souls actually went swimming in the ocean. If you have a heated pool, you can definitley swim comfortably. Biking and kayaking are great in the cooler weather. Sitting on the front porch and reading a good book is very comfortable.

We actually love it at Thanksgiving too. There is a great parade that winds its way down 30A from Seagrove to Seaside.

Definitely worth a trip in the late fall and early winter.

[Beach Runner]

Also, if you're into a "White Christmas," you can just go to Deer Lake Park and pretend. (My husband gets the credit for this photo.)

[wetwilly]

Hey, how come no one thinks my idea of going to "the Track" in Destin between Christmas and New Years sounds enticing (frankly, I didn't go either - my husband and brother-in-law brought the kids...). They had a great time. They also rented those multiple person bicycles in Seaside and road around Seaside. These are the kinds of things the kids -- ages 5 to 13 -- loved (in addition to going to the beach).

Paula,

I think your idea about going to the Track is a good one. My kids (4-12 yrs old) love that place. We go everytime we come down to SoWal in the Spring/Summer whether my wife and I want to go or not. The traffic into Destin is brutal in the Spring/Summer but we do it for the kids and to see them have a great time. I am glad that Seagrove and the area does not have any "amusement" parks but am also glad that we can get to either Destin or PCB so we can see the kids have fun and be kids.

I like all of the other suggestions posted and even though I started this thread to get info for my renters---now instead of renting it to them in the December holiday timeframe....I want to keep it for myself and my family.

Thanks for the insight and info.

[wetwilly]

Wetwilly,

I'm not sure of the average temps, but we have spent a couple of weeks around Christmas and New Years in SoWal the past two years and the weather (except for a couple of days) was wonderful. It is cool, but we had many days that approached the low seventies. Nights are a bit cooler, but not bad at all.

There were many days we actually spent on the beach in shorts and sweatshirts when the kids played in the sand. Some brave souls actually went swimming in the ocean. If you have a heated pool, you can definitley swim comfortably. Biking and kayaking are great in the cooler weather. Sitting on the front porch and reading a good book is very comfortable.

We actually love it at Thanksgiving too. There is a great parade that winds its way down 30A from Seagrove to Seaside.

Definitely worth a trip in the late fall and early winter.

Skier,

Thanks for the post. As I said in my post to Paula, now instead of renting to the folks that inquired about it....I am now going to consider just bringing the family down instead. Sounds like you and others like it down in SoWal anytime but sure sounds like Fall and Winter time seems great.

Even though SJ and others are trying to keep it a secret...ooops :oops: ...sorry but the word is out....

Wetwilly

[wetwilly]

Also, if you're into a "White Christmas," you can just go to Deer Lake Park and pretend. (My husband gets the credit for this photo.)

WOW. Awesome picture. Thanks.

[Smiling JOe]

DE FUNIAK SPRINGS, FLORIDA (082220)
Period of Record Monthly Climate Summary
Period of Record : 1/ 1/1931 to 3/31/2004
See this link for Climate info and click on "Climate" found on the menu on the left side of the page.

Please be aware the the data for October has to be incorrect. The weather is the worst for that month. I don't know why they chose to lie when posting their statistics for October, but the rest of the year looks accurate.

[skier]

DE FUNIAK SPRINGS, FLORIDA (082220)
Period of Record Monthly Climate Summary
Period of Record : 1/ 1/1931 to 3/31/2004
See this link for Climate info and click on "Climate" found on the menu on the left side of the page.

Please be aware the the data for October has to be incorrect. The weather is the worst for that month. I don't know why they chose to lie when posting their statistics for October, but the rest of the year looks accurate.

And Joe, don't forget that there are absolutely no activities for adults or kids during October. Also, most of the restaurants shut down. So, no need to come down during such a terrible month of the year. :laughing1

[Smiling JOe]

And Joe, don't forget that there are absolutely no activities for adults or kids during October. Also, most of the restaurants shut down. So, no need to come down during such a terrible month of the year. :laughing1

thanks for the reminder, Skier. Let's also remember the numerous man-eating sharks, stinging jellyfish, and killer ripcurrents, all of which are worst from
Oct 1-Oct 31.

[Beach Runner]

WOW. Awesome picture. Thanks.

Grazie!

[drsvelte]

thanks for the reminder, Skier. Let's also remember the numerous man-eating sharks, stinging jellyfish, and killer ripcurrents, all of which are worst from
Oct 1-Oct 31.

Also, awful crowds from Destin's month long fishing tournament.

[luvthebeach]

Also, if you're into a "White Christmas," you can just go to Deer Lake Park and pretend. (My husband gets the credit for this photo.)

What an awesome photo! If one didn't know better, they'd swear it was snow! Who needs the real thing when you can have all this and the gulf too!!

[Paula]

Paula,

I think your idea about going to the Track is a good one. My kids (4-12 yrs old) love that place. We go everytime we come down to SoWal in the Spring/Summer whether my wife and I want to go or not. The traffic into Destin is brutal in the Spring/Summer but we do it for the kids and to see them have a great time. I am glad that Seagrove and the area does not have any "amusement" parks but am also glad that we can get to either Destin or PCB so we can see the kids have fun and be kids.

I like all of the other suggestions posted and even though I started this thread to get info for my renters---now instead of renting it to them in the December holiday timeframe....I want to keep it for myself and my family.

Thanks for the insight and info.

WetWilly: Whew, glad someone else brings their kids to the Track. We never go to Destin in the peak summer time (we stay in SoWal) but we go to Big Kahunas in August (and go to Krispy Kreme near there, although I hope their still in business now that the company was found to be "cooking the books" and doing illegal financial deads as well as cooking donuts) and the Track between Christmas/New Years when driving to/through Destin is much easier.

The only months that I haven't visited SoWal are June and October and it sounds like I really should stay away from going there in October. Who needs to see those lovely Monarch butterflies lightly frolicking among the native landscape in SoWal as they migrate south in the fall.

[Donna]

October, what a bummer month at the beaches. Leaden skies and constant rain, man-eating butterflies that cause humans to break out in hives, all the historic buildings under scaffolding, all the restaurants on hiatus, and non-stop re-enactments of Civil War Battles, which stop all the traffic in both directions for hours on end. Better plan for September or November!

[phdphay]

Also, awful crowds from Destin's month long fishing tournament.

And you know, there are gators EVERYWHERE on 30-A in October, November, and December. I mean, when you're on the bike paths, gators just lunge out at you. It's plain scary! They love to eat dawgs and marshmallows.

(True story - when I was a UF student, I would frequently see an alligator sunning him/herself on the sidewalk by the pond near Little Hall. I'd always not-so-calmly walk to the other side of the street. YIKES!)

[Miss Kitty]

The Track is not just for kids silly rabbit! Have you ever done "The Woody"? I am not what you would call a risk taker (except for being in SoWal during Oct!)....but there is something about putting the pedal to the metal and out racing your husband and son while going up and down a tower made of wood! Try it you will like it...just not in summer or October.

[Paula]

Sounds like I should join the kids and the men for a trip to the track when they go this year. Thanks for the recommendation! I secretly enjoy the Big Kahunas in August (lazy river is my favorite and this year I'm hoping they let me bring a paperback book while I go down the lazy river).

[Paula]

By the way, the other things that bother me about those Monarch Butterflies that flutter around SoWal the fall are (1) they think they're so hot and they flap their golden sunlit wings around as though they think they're as glamorous as Paris Hilton (someone should tell them they are bugs); (2) they like to frolic on the vegetation and flowers on our beach access rather than use a public beach access; (3) I've heard they even frolic on the dunes, disregarding those "stay off the dunes" signs. Bad butterflies...

[bennifer]

Good morning from GA and let me just tell all of you two things
First...I WANT TO COME FOR THE WINTER WEEK AT 30A!
that would be the white Christmas I have dreamed about allllll my life so I will take on those BULLY BUTTERFLIES and "KILLER" TRAFFIC and BORING SCHEDULES.

Second...When we started coming down 16 years ago we decided after the first year that we would keep Seagrove/ Grayton a secret but look what has happened! Somebody has been spreading the rumors.

ok must get to work...I have to blow on my wind chimes of fish that I bought in Grayton Plaza and stare at the gray wall cubical!
BEACH DREAMIN'
jennifer

[Smiling JOe]

Good morning from GA and let me just tell all of you two things
First...I WANT TO COME FOR THE WINTER WEEK AT 30A!
that would be the white Christmas I have dreamed about allllll my life so I will take on those BULLY BUTTERFLIES and "KILLER" TRAFFIC and BORING SCHEDULES.

Second...When we started coming down 16 years ago we decided after the first year that we would keep Seagrove/ Grayton a secret but look what has happened! Somebody has been spreading the rumors.

ok must get to work...I have to blow on my wind chimes of fish that I bought in Grayton Plaza and stare at the gray wall cubical!
BEACH DREAMIN'
jennifer

You will not have a problem with all of those bad things if you plan your trip around October. Winter should be fine. Darn those biting butterflies coming in October. Their bites are worse than the Deer Flies' (aka Yellow Flies).

[Miss Kitty]

Jennifer...

IMHO, I think the beginning of the end was "The Truman Show" being filmed in Seaside. The summer after it's release the place was teeming with folks..especially standing in front of and trying to get into the Truman House!! They finally put a sign up saying "This is a private residence". Nothing as great as 30-A would be kept a secret too long, but that show sped things up a bit! BTW...my daughter and two friends were down at our place in WC in May and wisely used the WC shuttle to get around...Sara loved it and said one of the twins from The Truman Show was their driver! What a hoot for her!!

[Cavallino]

Our kids like the Huge Christmas Tree and Santa at Destin Commons.
Last year, Santa told our 3 year old that he drove a tractor...not a sleigh. So that is what she repeated for months.

They really decorate the property....which adds to the Christmas spirit.

Doug

[bennifer]

Oh I think I could love 30A any time. for as long as forever.

[Paula]

One more thing to do when the weather is cooler, especially during Christmas-New Years with family. In cooler months, we like to sit in the hot tub in the evening and watch the stars come out one by one. With kids, you could even turn this into a fun game (e.g., who sees the first star, second star, etc.). In the summer we do this now and then while floating in the pool.

[Smiling JOe]

A normal quiet winter's day on Grayton Beach in Dec '04.

[kurt]

[Paula]

Another winter day between Christmas and New Years 03-04. The photo of kids at sunset is at Grayton; The photos of the boy jumping and the grandparents walking are at Seacrest Beach (not the resort, but near Cottages at Camp Creek).