Where did Seaside GO!!!!!!!

Please keep in mind the SO and the "red shirts" don't show up without someone complaining first. If someone calls the police "the red shirts" show up to try to resolve the situation first considering Seaside is private property. We hate be fun governors but if you call the SO and we didn't do anything about it, how would that look? :idontno:

We realize security is around for a reason and that they are not the ones who picked out the "red shirts." But honestly, we were driving through Seaside on the 30a the other day .... and walking down the sidewalk was a "Red Shirt" .... it just looked so extreme .... the screaming red stop shirt, the black pants, and combat boots .... as an outsider it would make me wonder "what's wrong with this place?" To us, it gives the appearance that this is not a safe place to be ... which doesn't seem good for tourism.

I've suggested that they change uniforms to Tommy Bahama shirts and khaki shorts, but they ignored me.

I can certainly understand asking for credit card up front to start a tab. There are too many people visiting here for a bartender to know everyone and go find them if they walk out without paying their tab, which some people do by accident, and others intentionally.

I'm not sure, but from the sounds of it. I'll never get a chance to find out. From all the scuttle on this bb, it seems like I shouldn't waste my money and visit anymore. That would be sad. :cry:


It sure doesn't sound like the place We fell in love with a few years back.

I was in Seaside for a week during the Seeing Red Wine Festival. Never once did I see a Red Shirt person. We spent plenty of time at Bud & Alley's and I walked out everytime with a drink in my hand. I know Seaside has changed since I first started going there some 20 years ago, but I had no problems.

Not that we've ever had problems on any of our visits, it just seems that there are a few bad apples that are stuffing up the joint. That makes me wonder if I want to take the chance to visit and have a problem. We do not live close (NE) so it's a real trek for us to visit either by car or plane. I just want to enjoy the area and not have deal with all this. Again, I'm sure it's just a couple bad apples, but it only takes one to ruin the bunch!

The area, as a whole, is still one of the most wonderful places on earth. With growth comes change and as a community, we have some kinks to work out, as with any community. Seaside is changing...but SoWal...is not Seaside. Seaside is Seaside. SoWal is brilliant.

Not that we've ever had problems on any of our visits, it just seems that there are a few bad apples that are stuffing up the joint. That makes me wonder if I want to take the chance to visit and have a problem. We do not live close (NE) so it's a real trek for us to visit either by car or plane. I just want to enjoy the area and not have deal with all this. Again, I'm sure it's just a couple bad apples, but it only takes one to ruin the bunch!

NES, I understand your concern, since it's so far for you. I too must travel a considerable distance to paradise. I have been to SoWal enough to know that no matter what kind of "bad apples" show up on a message board or even in person for that matter, it in NO WAY ruins my perception of SoWal and all the wonderful things it has to offer. I personally don't spend a whole lot of time in just Seaside (which is what drew me to the area in the first place), although there are some things there I can't miss..B&A's, Modica, Sundog, etc. There is so much more to SoWal--you could spend days just discovering new things. I have no doubt all tourist areas have their issues, so don't let what you've read here discourage you. Go to SoWal if you want and enjoy all it has to offer!:wave:

good points, hop. Let me add that we who live here might be a little spoiled. When traffic backs up more than ten cars at the 30A/395 intersection, we call that a traffic jam, and we are totally serious. Some of our biggest worries are the color of the beach sand, whether or not to open the Lakes when water rises too much, which golf shirt to wear with the khaki shorts, should we take the scenic route through 30A and be ten minutes late to where ever we are going. I'm not discounting the seriousness of some issues with particular developments and particular property owners, but in reality, looking at the big picture, who cares? We live in paradise, with very few worries. I can leave my keys in my car, my house unlocked and windows open, all day and night. I can walk down any street in South Walton any time of the night, without feeling like I should be concerned for my safety and looking over my shoulder. I can put my kayak on top of my car on a work day, in hopes that I get a long enough break to stop and take a paddle on the water. My biggest worries, living here at the beach, are potential threats from distracted drivers of automobiles and golf carts, fear of running over a careless person on a bicycle or a person darting out from behind a car into the street, being sprayed by the poisons coming out of the Mosquito Control trucks, and running down my battery in my camera and missing a great photo opportunity.

Whoa there, last I checked, Mo is still happy, the shaved ice is still fun for the kids. True, the sound police seem to be everywhere but no one has ever been allowed to take a drink out of Bud & Alley's; If you did, you broke the law. That's why we have to have doormen and signs that state it plainly. Finish your drink before you leave. A credit card up front is pretty standard in most busy bars everywhere; I think I leave my American Express at Cafe' Rendevous every time I go but the bartender gets paid and tipped no matter how much wine I drink if I walk out; I'm ok with that.

Remember, there are a lot of people who are moving here for the first time and these are their "good old days" they will look back on. Basically, this place still is amazing, different, yes but still amazing in my book.

Years ago, I made a commitment to myself. I decided not to be bitter about the changes that would come. I was not going to complain about change unless I was willing to fight it. From time to time I get inspired by something so stupid it must be stopped but for the most part I am as blissful as ever living in this paradise. We have 5 months a year of this place pretty much to ourselves too. How good is that? :funn:

Dave

Anyone remember Seaside, fun to be at, the airstrem selling shaved ice was fun for kids, you could walk out of B. & A.'s with a drink in your hand, Mo was happy, we knew everyone, 30A, was differen. , I bought a home years back in Seaside to retire someday,,, my wife and I could enjoy ourselves, worked very hard in the music biz to be able to enjoy the dream. The whole dream was only a dream, I been here a very short time and found out the little tiny world we enjoyed "30A" has changed, can't play music, to much noise, credit card up front, just to get a drink, when we never had to do that, RULES, are making a 57yr old man nuts, red shirt security (Seaside) are over stepping their bounds. Please someone help me make since of a retirement dream that has gone, wrong, WHAT HAPPENED to the old 30A we all enjoyed just a few short years ago. I am not ranting, just need to make some sense of all the madness

I agree with DD and SJ. This place is paradise.:wub:

We realize security is around for a reason and that they are not the ones who picked out the "red shirts." But honestly, we were driving through Seaside on the 30a the other day .... and walking down the sidewalk was a "Red Shirt" .... it just looked so extreme .... the screaming red stop shirt, the black pants, and combat boots .... as an outsider it would make me wonder "what's wrong with this place?" To us, it gives the appearance that this is not a safe place to be ... which doesn't seem good for tourism.

:bang:

I was in Seaside for a week during the Seeing Red Wine Festival. Never once did I see a Red Shirt person. We spent plenty of time at Bud & Alley's and I walked out everytime with a drink in my hand. I know Seaside has changed since I first started going there some 20 years ago, but I had no problems.

probably not cool to say you walked out with drink in hand and then name establishment:idontno:

I figure as we age, we all change from what and who we were when younger. Why should a location be different.

People play a huge part in making a location a paradise. My daughter worked at Seaside for 5 months this year and I visited her often, and realized there are "good" people still to be found at Seaside and I am sure there always will be.

Give me Seaside anyday... Today here in lovely Kansas, it was cold, spitting snow and windy. I will take the beach and the wonderful people who live there anytime!!! I can't wait to get there for the holidays. People who live in paradise full time should be grateful for that beautiful beach, the wonderful restaurants, and the great weather! I can't wait to get out of here and see the beach and gulf that I love so much!! Watch out Red Bar, I need a Bloody Mary or two!!

One day, Greenroomsurfer made a good point. He was talking about all the security issues in Seaside and then said something along the lines of, "In the end, Seaside will still be there, after all the security b.s., etc. is over. They really have nothing to worry about." GRS, if I misquoted you, please post your thoughts.:wave:

We are going through a time of huge change, not just Seaside, but all of 30-A. There's been a lot of growth and development, some good and some bad. But if we stay focused & honest, as a whole, it will all work out in the end.

I can biotch and moan just like anyone else about this place. But all I have to do is drive down the beach or take my daily bike ride to see the beauty and grace that rises about it all. All I have to do is see a familiar smiling face that knows my family and genuinely cares and I know that we are home. I know that I'd rather be here than Atlanta or anywhere else that I have lived or visited right now.

After SurfFilm Fest tonight, Seaside just increased their coolness factor, greatly.

After SurfFilm Fest tonight, Seaside just increased their coolness factor, greatly.

:clap:Thanks for all the updates on the "other website." It was too cold for me tonight.

cold weather is all about cuddling for body heat.

Thanks Organic Mommy fist of all. Something really cool happened in Seaside last night that until now would of never happened in IMO. A really cool gathering of Surfers from all walks of life and all over the Panhandle gathered in Seaside for a Benefit. There was a really cool band and lots of friends I have not seen in forever and tons of cool stuff everywhere. Surfers have been misrepresented and that we are a bunch of dope smoking slackers! Well that isn't the case and last night proved it. Thanks Seaside and everyone that participated. I really get ticked because Surfers have been ripped off for years from our style of clothes, music, lifestyle and our invention. Everyone can try and be a surfer but the real ones can sniff you out fast. It's a life long dedication to a Lifestyle. Mahalo and I hope there is more to come!!!:clap:If I forgot anything I'll add it later.

Besafe - look to your neighbors and fellow homeowners for why the changes happened. All the things you dislike happened because someone complained or acted in such a way that they had to make a rule.

The airstream is still selling, another was added where you can blend your own shake with a bicycle, a redshirt has never spoken to me, and the last time I went to Bud's Mo gave me my drink w/ a smile, and I recognized many faces!

Last time I checked, Seaside was still just east of WaterColor. :wave:

Mo is my favorite thing about Seaside. 😀

Last time I checked, Seaside was still just east of WaterColor. :wave:

Mo is my favorite thing about Seaside. 😀

Do you mean mo' planter's punch😀

Do you mean mo' planter's punch😀

:floor::clap:

Look for another airstream; more Good Stuff!!

I don't want to steal anyones thunder but there will be another airstream coming to Seaside owned by another of SoWal's beloved bartenders serving what I am sure to be famous BBQ.....:Good luck, I cant' wait!!!

Besafe - look to your neighbors and fellow homeowners for why the changes happened. All the things you dislike happened because someone complained or acted in such a way that they had to make a rule.

The airstream is still selling, another was added where you can blend your own shake with a bicycle, a redshirt has never spoken to me, and the last time I went to Bud's Mo gave me my drink w/ a smile, and I recognized many faces!