Cape San Blas - Trip Report

**beckster** · 07-10-2006, 10:43 PM

I'm a little late in posting this. We got home a week ago from spending a week at the Cape. So many of you were so helpful in answering questions for me before my trip I wanted to let you all know how it went.
We absolutely loved it! In the past we've stayed in Seaside and Seacrest. This year we really wanted something that felt more like old Florida with more nature, fewer tourists and a decent price for a weeks stay. The Cape was all this and more for us.
We drove 13 hours from Houston. The worst part for me was the last stretch from Panama City east to Cape San Blas. The red lights were brutal.
We rented from Paradise Coast Vacation Rentals in Cape San Blas and they were really accomadating and friendly.
Our first walk down the beach boardwalk to the sand was quite a thrill. It had been a long time since I had hear the sand squeak underfoot. The dunes were gorgeous and the sea oats were taller than my 6 year old boys. The beaches were beautiful and we saw little to no erosion. As an avid seasheller, I was so happy to find so many big shells intact. I even found several nice pieces of sea glass!
For a change of scenery, a couple of days we drove down to the end of the cape to the St. Joe State Park and beached ourselves there. It was even more beautiful. And I'm not exaggerating to say the dunes were 2 stories tall in some places. Absolutely breathtaking. It was interesting to me how different the water was from one place to the next on the Cape. At our beach, the water was dark green/brown. At the park, about 10 minutes from where we stayed, it was very blue and clear.
During the week we did make a couple of trips to Panama City. One day for my husband's birthday for lunch and to reserve a pontoon boat.
Our day of boating was wonderful as well. We went to Shell Island. Boy has that changed since this time last year. The dock where the tour boats usually let the tourists off was completely covered in sand! Also, the day we were there, the water was really calm and so blue. Looked like the Bahamas.
We were able to just throw out the anchor and swim in the cut between the bay and the Gulf. The water was as clear as an aquarium. My boys thought that was quite an adventure.
We saw lots of dolphins in the bay. It's not a trip to us without saying hi to the dolphins.
From there, we drove to Seaside for the afternoon and crashed the beach there. The water was absolutely beautiful! I never get tired of the walk over the pavillions there. I could just stand and gaze forever. But, there was shopping to be done so I ditched the husband and kids and headed to Perspicacity. A girl can only handle so much nature ya know!
We did eat at Loggerhead Grill a couple of times. Really good food. Nice salads and really good pizza.
We didn't think the Cape was as remote as some of the information I had read. Don't let that scare you if anyone is considering going there. It's definitely not commercial, but you can have all your needs met. Pharmacies and grocery stores very close by. But, I live in Houston, so I guess close is relative. Anything within 30 minutes for us is close.
We spent our last evening at the beach by the lighthouse. Made a campfire and roasted marshmallows and hot dogs. We were the only ones there. I loved that there are palm trees on the beaches.There was a really wonderful tropical feel to the place.
We would definitely go again!
Edited to say pics are now posted under my name in the gallery!! I had some really good ones of the area that were too big and it freaks me out to change the size, so mostly you'll have to look at the ones with the family in them.

**Mango** · 07-10-2006, 10:53 PM

Thanks for posting.

I always wanted to go there, but never had a chance.
Think I may have to make a day trip down. Sounds beautiful.

DD · 07-10-2006, 10:54 PM

Thanks beckster!! I've been to the cape, but not stayed there. just a day trip. I would love to stay there! I think maybe it might be a trip for just me and mr. dd though. the grown kids have to be more entertained. they get bored after sitting on the beach a couple of days. who the heck raised these kids, anyway!

Your report was wonderful and I really enjoyed reading it. Sounds like heaven to me!

**Johnrudy** · 07-10-2006, 10:55 PM

I loved your trip report. Hope you'll have some pictures soon.
Hearing the sand squeak beneath your feet.

What a wonderful sound ~

**SHELLY** · 07-10-2006, 11:07 PM

Bravo! A "budget vacation" that yielded a million-dollar experience...I love when that happens!

**skippertoo** · 07-11-2006, 05:40 AM

THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE POSTING ! We have been interesting in trying this beach for some time. I have looked at a few rentals on VRBO for the cape, any info on places you saw that you would stay at on a return visit or would you stay at the same place again ??

**Cil** · 07-11-2006, 06:16 AM

We didn't think the Cape was as remote as some of the information I had read. Don't let that scare you if anyone is considering going there. It's definitely not commercial, but you can have all your needs met. Pharmacies and grocery stores very close by. But, I live in Houston, so I guess close is relative. Anything within 30 minutes for us is close.

heh
I agree. We are civilized out here, we just don't have every single amenity.
I am so glad you had a good time, and I am sorry I missed your last private message but I was out and about.

**Teresa** · 07-11-2006, 06:23 AM

what a wonderful vacation to the cape. was your visit to Seaside a day trip? or did you go there on your way home? now I want to go back to Cape San Blas for another visit - it's been a few years now.

thanks!

**Ocean Lover** · 07-11-2006, 08:06 AM

Loved your report Beckster! It makes me want to go! I love palm trees on the beach too. One of the things I miss in Sowal.

**aquaticbiology** · 07-11-2006, 08:28 AM

i'm very glad you had such a good time!

i too have returned from the cape - the far point of it (past the state park), that is!

hot! hot! hot! even at night it was hot!

guess i'm getting too old to handle the heat!

fishing was ok but not fantastic - i didn't starve, but i bet i lost a few pounds

i found that there's a lot of folks with the gumption and grit enough to walk or kayak around the far point of the peninsula - and some of them are sowal lurkers (hi y'all!)!

my own full trip report to follow later after the swelling goes down

**ktschris** · 07-11-2006, 08:32 AM

Beckster, I loved your report! We were there 3 weeks ago (have I really been back only 3 weeks

seems like a year!) I loved it there. I do have to ask, did you have any problems with the skeeters at night?

**Johnrudy** · 07-11-2006, 10:33 AM

It's been about 30 years or more since I've been in the area, but tell me a little bit about the area. Don't worry, I will Google some additional info, but it's nice to get some first hand info. For instance, a lot of crowds, traffic? A few restaurants, grocery stores? Did you go over to St. George?

**Cil** · 07-11-2006, 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by Johnrudy

For instance, a lot of crowds, traffic?

No

A few restaurants, grocery stores?

A few restaurants. The Loggerhead is right on the Cape.
The charming Indian Pass Raw Bar on 30A.
The yummiest food in Port St Joe proper is at Provisions Restaurant and Catering; Jody used to be in a little hole in the wall and now she has moved into a real space at 301 Williams, she hopes to be all moved in and ready to rumble in the next couple weeks. Her food is exquisite.
Only one "real" grocery store in PSJ, the Piggly Wiggly, but there are convenience stores here and there.

**beckster** · 07-11-2006, 04:28 PM

Johnrudy
I do have some pics but have never posted same on this forum before. I'll do some homework and see if I can figure it out.
Also, as you might see from my future pics, there were no crowds on the cape, unless you count standing in line behind two kids at Scallop Cove waiting on some hand dipped Blue Bell cones.

The traffic on the cape was very light as well as through Port St. Joe. The only nightmare was Panama City which we had to go through more times than I wanted. Cil steered you right on the restaurants and grocery stores. I can't imagine Piggly Wiggly not having everything you would need. After doing this Florida vacation for many years I've decided that I will not spend another afternoon of my funn time at the grocery store. I loaded up enough food to last a week from home and all I had to do was grab some eggs when we got there. We keep it very low key on vacation and it's all about easy.
Lots of chicken salad sandwiches and hot dogs. We also ate out 3-4 times for big satisfying meals. Momma don't wanna cook on vacation :

I did forget to mention we went to Appalachicola one morning and my gosh there was some fun shopping there!!! If anyone is seriously into seashell/cottage decor you must see the store called Avenue E. To die for.
We did not go to St. George but I hear good things about it.
My overall impression of the area was very laid back and easy. We stayed on the beach side, but not beach front. We didn't have to cross any busy street to get to the beach access, we just drove our van down the cul de sac and hauled our stuff for the day down. If anyone is considering going that has children that want more commercial entertainment, you'll have to go to Panama City. We did that for 1 day for boat rental. There are pontoon boats available on the Cape, but it was more expensive than PCB.
Also, if anyone is interested you can ride horses on the beach. It was $50 an hour so that was out of our budget. For the same money, the 4 of us enjoyed a half day on a boat. All the comforts of home are on the cape. Cable, possible wireless connection depending on where you stay, phones, etc.

skippertoo

http://www.paradise-coast.com/houses.cfm is who we rented through.
You could also check with Anchor Realty. The closer you stay to St. Joe Park, the prettier the dunes and water will be. The charge to enter the park is $4 per day. Well worth it. There is also camping at the park.

cil

No problem on the pm. You were very helpful!!

aquaticbiology
It was hot hot hot when we were there also. We usually enjoy an overcast day or two at the beach, but we didn't get it this year. Lots of sun. I also heard about people going to the point, but I just couldn't figure out an easy way so skipped it. I was not going to walk it in the heat.

ktschris

skeeters! Yes we had skeeters. The walk from our house included a section of boardwalk that went right through the piney woods. I'm sure we looked ridiculous running full out with all our gear to try to avoid the swarms of them.
We finally figured out if we wrapped up in our beach towels or ran fanning our towels, they wouldn't get us. The first couple of days were the worst because there was no breeze from the ocean. The wind changed, and it later got breezier and the bugs weren't so bad.

I think someone also asked me about Seaside. We went to Seaside just for an afternoon after we spent the morning on a pontoon in Panama City. We just used the pavillion at Pensacola St to rinse off and loaded back up and went "home" to the cape. It felt a bit like culture shock to be in Seaside...you know, people with their cappucinos and laptops on the sidewalk in their matching clothes. Now I'm not dissing that, cuz I've certainly done my share of that kind of vacationing in Seaside and love it. It was just weird to be there just for the afternoon when we had been in such a different environment all week....away from civilization

I'll work on the photos. I would love to share them with you all.
Thanks
Beckster

**peapod1980** · 07-11-2006, 04:38 PM

Originally Posted by beckster

I'll work on the photos. I would love to share them with you all.
Thanks
Beckster

Beck, if your photos are as interesting as your trip reports have been, I can't wait!

Best reading I've done in days.

**Johnrudy** · 07-11-2006, 04:42 PM

Originally Posted by peapod1980

Beck, if your photos are as interesting as your trip reports have been, I can't wait!

Best reading I've done in days.

Boy, isn't that the truth. I can't wait either. And I'm seriously considering a short vacation to the Cape. When we went to the Abacos in June it was great and all that, but it just takes soooooo long to get there and back! I'm trying to find a place that dosen't take 24 hrs. to get to and isn't horribly crowded either (like other areas in the Panhandle.)

DD · 07-11-2006, 06:20 PM

Originally Posted by Cil

No

A few restaurants. The Loggerhead is right on the Cape.
The charming Indian Pass Raw Bar on 30A.
The yummiest food in Port St Joe proper is at Provisions Restaurant and Catering; Jody used to be in a little hole in the wall and now she has moved into a real space at 301 Williams, she hopes to be all moved in and ready to rumble in the next couple weeks. Her food is exquisite.
Only one "real" grocery store in PSJ, the Piggly Wiggly, but there are convenience stores here and there.

I KNEW it was charming!!!!!

**skippertoo** · 07-11-2006, 06:56 PM

Beckster.... THANKS

**Paula** · 07-12-2006, 07:29 PM

Great report, Beckster. I'd love to find shells! Maybe someday we'll get there when we can stay in the area a bit longer. Right now our vacations are at most a week long -- maybe two weeks in a row next year -- then 3 weeks -- then 4 weeks in a row...