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Spring Break is here for SoWal Locals! Where are you going?

Teresa avatar
SoWal Guide
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Spring Break has arrived for our schools, kids and families in South Walton Beach - finally! It's time to take a break and head to the beach like everyone else on the planet! Some SoWal locals stay in town and just chill on their favorite local remote beach without too many people. Others take the time to head out of town for a much needed spring vacation.

Over the years, we've enjoyed heading over to Indian Pass and the Apalachicola area for an easy drive and a real getaway... We love Fernandina Beach on the Atlantic coast just north of Jacksonville for some different adventures on the other coast of Florida... We've traveled to St. Petersburg Beach and Anna Maria Island on the Gulf Coast. Last year we spent several days at Universal Studios in Orlando. We've also enjoyed spring trips to New Orleans (but it's pretty crowded for Spring Break) and the mountains.

One of the very best little towns for incredible dining is Fernandina Beach. That little historic town offers up some of the best food anywhere we've traveled. And for me, it's all about great food when we're on the road.

This year? Well, we haven't decided. Have you? Where are you headed??? Someplace with a beach or the big city for a change? Flying or driving? Some place near by or across the planet? Where do SoWal locals go?

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Apalachicola, FL


Historic Fernandina Beach, FL | explore downtown along the river with Cumberland Island in view, Fort Clinch State Park, and the beautiful beaches lined with not too fancy or huge homes and condos - all built well back from the shore.

Replies

28
Beach Runner avatar
beats on hood
#2
We are locals, according to Bruno's Pizza, because we are there so much. LOL. We're gonna be at our home in SoWal. We'll stock up on groceries and hunker down at home. Bruno's will see us a couple of times, as will Perfect Pig. We'll pick up fresh seafood at Goatfeathers. As usual in the spring and summer, we'll take 98 to get to Gulf Place for a mani/pedi and then go to Stinky's Fish Camp while we're over on the west side.
Teresa avatar
SoWal GuideAuthor
#3
We are locals, according to Bruno's Pizza, because we are there so much. LOL. We're gonna be at our home in SoWal. We'll stock up on groceries and hunker down at home. Bruno's will see us a couple of times, as will Perfect Pig. We'll pick up fresh seafood at Goatfeathers. As usual in the spring and summer, we'll take 98 to get to Gulf Place for a mani/pedi and then go to Stinky's Fish Camp while we're over on the west side.

All sounds great! Will you be going to the beach? Do you have a secret spot? You don't have to tell where.
carson avatar
Beach Fanatic
#4
All sounds great! Will you be going to the beach? Do you have a secret spot? You don't have to tell where.

Well I was going to put the two grounded sailboats on VRBO to make a few extra bucks, but I see they are gone. There goes my Cedar Key or Bust fund.
Beach Runner avatar
beats on hood
#5
All sounds great! Will you be going to the beach? Do you have a secret spot? You don't have to tell where.
No, and yes. I'll pm you.
BeachMac avatar
Beach Lover
#6
Beach Runner, could you please PM me that secret place too? I've been driving to a different access point this week to relax without so many people, but we probably still haven't learned the best spots for locals.

When we really want to get away from the crowds down here (or the January lows in the 20s), we head to Anguilla. Beautiful beaches and great locally-owned restaurants alongside low crime rates makes it similar in some ways to why we love South Walton too. Their low season is our high season (and vice versa), which makes it perfect to us for escaping the crowds here. Only downside is that it takes forever to get there given the need for airport connections (ECP to ATL to SXM or SJU and then a puddle jumper).

And Teresa, you've made me look more forward to a doc appointment in Jacksonville now... Any places you recommend for lodging in Fernandina Beach? We've never been.
Teresa avatar
SoWal GuideAuthor
#7
The Hampton Inn on downtown Fernandina Beach is a nice place on the river. We've also stayed in a beach house and condo near the beach and state Park. Everything is pretty convenient. There is a nice Hilton on the beach.
Beach Runner avatar
beats on hood
#8
Beach Runner, could you please PM me that secret place too? I've been driving to a different access point this week to relax without so many people, but we probably still haven't learned the best spots for locals.

When we really want to get away from the crowds down here (or the January lows in the 20s), we head to Anguilla. Beautiful beaches and great locally-owned restaurants alongside low crime rates makes it similar in some ways to why we love South Walton too. Their low season is our high season (and vice versa), which makes it perfect to us for escaping the crowds here. Only downside is that it takes forever to get there given the need for airport connections (ECP to ATL to SXM or SJU and then a puddle jumper).

And Teresa, you've made me look more forward to a doc appointment in Jacksonville now... Any places you recommend for lodging in Fernandina Beach? We've never been.
The place is in a gated neighborhood. The beach is not private, but the beach walkover is private -- for owners and guests only. Sorry.
kayti elliott avatar
Beach Lover
#9
A nice quiet beach where there aren't thousands of people on bicycles and traffic jams so it won't be along 30A. Maybe Navarre Beach or Mexico Beach..
steel1man avatar
Beach Fanatic
#10
A nice quiet beach where there aren't thousands of people on bicycles and traffic jams so it won't be along 30A. Maybe Navarre Beach or Mexico Beach..
not a thanks!!! Miss keyed!!!!! Traffic Jams on 30A? You must be in Seaside? Big Mistake...I think I was third in line a a stop sign 2 years ago...
All of 30A is not like seaside.....
Lake View Too avatar
SoWal Insider
#11
Steel man, we get it that you live in the promised land, BMB. Some of us have the misfortune of buying into Seagrove before Seaside and have the double whammy of having jobsites west of here or having to take trips to Frank's or Grayton to make a living. I don't have any particular point. I'm just whining.

Edited

Beach Runner avatar
beats on hood
#12
Steel man, we get it that you live in the promised land, BMB. Some of us have the misfortune of buying into Seagrove before Seaside and have the double whammy of having jobsites west of here or having to take trips to Frank's or Grayton to make a living. I don't any particular point. I'm just whining.
My husband goes to the hardware store a lot. He used to always go to Frank's. Now he goes east to the Ace in PCB 12 miles away. A lot quicker.

Once we tried going to Stinky's by going east on 30A, north on WaterSound Parkway, west on 98, south on 393, and west on 30A. It took forever to get from 30A to WS Parkway to the 395/98 intersection where we would have ended up our old way.(Well our old way was just take 30A west). Won't try that again. But I do think we will start doing our grocery, etc., shopping in west PCB like we did before WareColor Publix opened.
Teresa avatar
SoWal GuideAuthor
#13
My husband goes to the hardware store a lot. He used to always go to Frank's. Now he goes east to the Ace in PCB 12 miles away. A lot quicker.

Once we tried going to Stinky's by going east on 30A, north on WaterSound Parkway, west on 98, south on 393, and west on 30A. It took forever to get from 30A to WS Parkway to the 395/98 intersection where we would have ended up our old way.(Well our old way was just take 30A west). Won't try that again. But I do think we will start doing our grocery, etc., shopping in west PCB like we did before WareColor Publix opened.
Love the publix at inlet Beach.
carson avatar
Beach Fanatic
#14
the place is in a gated neighborhood. The beach is not private, but the beach walkover is private -- for owners and guests only. Sorry.

deer lake state park, rarely a soul.
steel1man avatar
Beach Fanatic
#15
Steel man, we get it that you live in the promised land, BMB. Some of us have the misfortune of buying into Seagrove before Seaside and have the double whammy of having jobsites west of here or having to take trips to Frank's or Grayton to make a living. I don't have any particular point. I'm just whining.
NO , Kayti was implying 30A( in total) was just one big traffic jam......and it isn't....Grayton west to Hwy 98 is rarely crowded..I feel sorry for Seagrove long timers who got themselves surrounded by watercolor seaside and Watesound,alys, and Rosemary. I think Carson or Andy was saying there may be a new 98 connector planned from 30A for your area, that may be your answer to by-pass the 30A congestion. Wish y'all the best this coming season.
m1a1mg avatar
Beach Fanatic
#16
Bud's Lane, on the eastern edge of Seagrove, is the perfect area. It already has power lines running in the area so the scenery won't be hurt as much.
carson avatar
Beach Fanatic
#17
Bud's Lane, on the eastern edge of Seagrove, is the perfect area. It already has power lines running in the area so the scenery won't be hurt as much.

Yes, if you look at Google Earth there are three or four park roads that run through that part of the forest, Bud's makes the most sense.
Lake View Too avatar
SoWal Insider
#18
Bud is the best! Oh wait, you're talking about roads...
m1a1mg avatar
Beach Fanatic
#19
For spring break, I'm going to work. :(
carson avatar
Beach Fanatic
#20
Bud is the best! Oh wait, you're talking about roads...

Bud is always the best...Weiser that is.
m1a1mg avatar
Beach Fanatic
#21
Bud is always the best...Weiser that is.

For what? Cleaning windows?
Beach Crab
#22
We use the beach access off Beachfront Trail. It wasn't busy when we went a couple weeks ago. Although better the weather might mean more people.
Beach Lover
#23
Heading to Islamorada! Don't know what's all the fuss about Stinky's. Didn't really care for it! Raw oysters were horrible!
Beach Lover
#24
Heading to Islamorada! Don't know what's all the fuss about Stinky's. Didn't really care for it! Raw oysters were horrible!

I second this. They're also a few bucks more per dozen than Hurricane's. Try the Marigny.
Beach Lover
#25
The Marigny's oysters were delicious. Didn't care for the other food there though!
machellfamily avatar
Beach Comber
#26
Be careful eating at Hurricane Oyster Bar! I love their oysters, I had the "around the world"! However, I got really bad food poisoning after eating the fried green tomatoes with some kind of seafood mixture on top.

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