Cape San Blas area???? anyone???

**seagrovelover** · 09-29-2005, 11:56 AM

Does anyone on the board have any knowledge of the Cape San Blas area? I know, I know....it's not in South Walton! but we need information about the area for vacation reasons, such as resturants, shops, places to stay, places to play...that sort of thing. Are the beaches pretty there? Any info would be greatly appreciated

thanks so much !!!!!

**hutch** · 09-29-2005, 12:48 PM

Sue here is a rental site at Cape San Blas
Be sure to eat at the Indian Pass Osyter Bar. Great Osyters. Have fun.
The beaches are more remote than 30A. Still pretty!

http://www.vacationrentals.com/vacat...s-Florida.html

Hope this help. Have fun!

**katie blue** · 09-29-2005, 12:51 PM

Cape San is cool. It's almost a barrier island to Port St Joe, but connected to mainland by a little sand patch that they have to keep buffering with rocks to prevent it becoming a real island. Accd'g to govt studies, this connecter road, like the island itself, is probably doomed, possibly in our lifetime, if storm activity continues at this intensity.

The area was not terribly popular until a few years ago when the St Joe paper mill shut down. Before that, the smell and factory views kept the crowds away. The beaches are very nice, but not quite as nice as SoWal because it's closer to the big bend & the PSJ Bay, with its tannin filled waters. SOme days though it can be perfectly clear.

The eastern half of the cape has private homes and some parks, much of which suffered significant erosion after Ivan and this year's storms. Dogs are legally allowed on these beaches. The western half is designated as a State Park. it's unbelievably gorgeous, and won #1 beach a few years ago in the US by that Dr. Beach fellow. Last time I was there there were 20-30' dunes as far as the eye could see. Not sure how they fared after storms, but with no development there, they are probably pretty intact. Park at the state park, and walk as far down the beach as you possibly can--it's nine miles long. The farther you go, the younger the people get. Once you've past the last surfer dude, it's just you, a TON of beautiful shells, and the most diverse beach wildlife you've seen in a while. Incredible flocks of birds. It's the closest thing I've experienced to complete seclusion in nature, possibly ever. Here you see infinity.

As for retail/restaurants, there's not much. Hardly anything on the island except a TOm Thumb-like convenience store, and a handful of others. You have to stock up in Port St Joe, a good 30 minute drive if i recall.. Best eating around was at Angelo's in Panacea, (!!!) but not sure if that's been rebuilt yet after being washed away by TS Cindy. Best gumbo ever.

**seagrovelover** · 09-29-2005, 01:08 PM

Wow Katie Blue....you are the best!!! thank you so much. We ran across some really nice beach-front homes down by the state park for a great price, kind of hard to pass up. Your info is a huge help

thanks again!!!! our group really doesnt need much to do, we like to sit on the beach all day and soak in the beauty.

**seagrovelover** · 09-29-2005, 01:09 PM

Originally Posted by hutch

Sue here is a rental site at Cape San Blas
Be sure to eat at the Indian Pass Osyter Bar. Great Osyters. Have fun.
The beaches are more remote than 30A. Still pretty!

http://www.vacationrentals.com/vacat...s-Florida.html

Hope this help. Have fun!

Thank you Hutch, I appreciate your information as well!!!!

**OnMackBayou** · 09-29-2005, 01:10 PM

I drove through there several weeks ago and spoke with some of the locals. They said the red tide had been a nuisance for a while, and that the dead fish were washing up on the beaches. They said the beaches were badly eroded due to several storms, although when I checked it out they appeared to be satisfactory.

The Indian Pass Raw Bar was pretty badly damaged by Dennis. It was closed when I was there, and I doubt if it is open yet. If you want a restaurant you'll have to go to Apalachicola or Port St Joe.

If you are looking for a quiet getaway, it's a good place. If you are going anytime soon just call ahead and inquire about the current condition of the red tide.

**katie blue** · 09-29-2005, 01:17 PM

Be careful, SGL... two words: due diligence. I almost bought there, before deciding on 30-A. Great price on a townhome right by the park. Got home and found out why. Gov't says the area is doomed. Most of the island is in a flood zone that is next to impossible to insure. If you're willing to take the chance, the payoff is big with some of the best beaching around...but, hold on loosely.

(sorry moondance, i said it again...)

**seagrovelover** · 09-29-2005, 01:24 PM

Yeh, It's hard to beat 30a that's for sure. thanks for the food for thought.

**beachmouse** · 09-29-2005, 03:19 PM

Agreeing with Katie here. Cape San Blas a beautiful place to visit, especially if you're the type to love quiet kayaking, snorkeling, crabbing, and beaching. But I'd never think of buying property there because the erosion is so bad. They've got to do major work to keep the main roadway operational and even that's a losing cause.

Somewhere we've got pictures of how the elbow area looked before Earl and Georges came through in 1998, and the difference between then and now is striking.

I've got a soft spot for Mexico Beach. It's still very old school, pretty quiet, and you don't have the same sort of erosion/insurance issues.

**Beach Runner** · 09-29-2005, 07:25 PM

We have friends who own there. Her husband likes it because it's so isolated. She thinks it's boring.

**Mermaid** · 09-29-2005, 09:43 PM

Originally Posted by Beach Runner

We have friends who own there. Her husband likes it because it's so isolated. She thinks it's boring.

We went there years ago and that's pretty well what I thought, too. It's not like I need to be entertained per se, but I just like knowing that if I want to be, it's there--the shops, galleries, open air movies, etc. That's what 30-A offers and Cape San Blas doesn't. Although I can see the appeal of it for people who like a restful, beautiful, quiet vacation. (You already know that's not me!)

**BigR** · 09-29-2005, 09:55 PM

It seems the red tide is pretty bad here near Seaside this week. Anyone have info on dangers( I've heard it causes a dry cough) and anticipated length of infestation. The beaches look horrible this week with the dead fish all around. Thank God for the pool in GBTS.BigR

**Mermaid** · 09-29-2005, 09:58 PM

BigR. There's a pretty informative post right now about red tide and it's on this same page. That's what you want to read.

**Miss Kitty** · 09-30-2005, 05:39 AM

Originally Posted by Mermaid

BigR. There's a pretty informative post right now about red tide and it's on this same page. That's what you want to read.

Please meet Mermaid, your personal thread assistant! Mermaid you are a great asset to the SoWal.com family! Where has our resident therapist, cck, been? I know she has many clients from this board, but I am really missing her calm way.

Howdy BigR...welcome aboard!