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Traveling to the Florida Panhandle? Tips & Advice

Teresa avatar
TeresaSoWal Guide
8,086 views1
We're seeing a lot of excitement about opening our beaches, businesses, restaurants and vacation rentals. We're all #InThisTogether during the COVID19 pandemic and share responsibility for protecting our families and communities this summer. We welcome our visitors to the world's most beautiful beaches. And we ask you to please plan ahead, pack your supplies and your patience, and be mindful of health and safety during your stay.

Summer 2020 is here and vacation rentals are open. Let good times roll with caution, social distancing, fun in the sun, with kindness and care for everyone around us.

I'm seeing a lot of important and positive advice from locals, businesses and beach lovers and would like to share them with our readers. Feel free to offer your friendly and constructive advice by posting here. Please be kind.


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Replies

31
Teresa avatar
TeresaSoWal GuideAuthor
#21
The Art of Simple
Seaside

For those of you headed our way soon to vacation on our beautiful beaches, we kindly ask that you pack plenty of kindness, patience and supplies.

PLAN AHEAD is the best way to prepare for your trip to 30A. Local supplies are limited so bring hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, toilet paper, groceries, etc.

Please bring face coverings. Friends they are not a symbol of fear but they are a symbol of LOVE! #spreadlove on your trip to the beach

Restaurants & shops have limited capacity by law and may be understaffed. Please be patient & kind. If a shop ask you to wear a face covering - please be respectful and DO IT!

If you have to shop at a grocery, send one person only with face mask, follow the one-way arrows, get in and out quickly.

Restaurants are not allowed full capacity and will fill quickly and likely have wait times. Consider pick up.

Always practice safe social distancing, as recommended by the CDC - how to stop the spread of germs. If you or anyone in your group is sick, postpone your vacation. If you or anyone in your group begins to feel sick, return home immediately to shelter in place & seek medical attention. Hospital care & beds are limited at the beach.

Thanks for all your love and support while we were closed. We can’t wait to meet all of our great online shoppers in person, so make sure you tell us when you stop in the shop. #loveistheanswer #shopsmallbusiness #thankyou

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bob1Beach Fanatic
#3
Tip well and have patience!
James BentwoodBeach Fanatic
#4
A tip for everyone, locals and visitors, and especially event planners:

Do Not attend or create any GROUP events!

I know South Walton usually has tons of events but RESIST the urge to have events!

Gathering groups together is the most dangerous thing going right now. Going to an event is like jumping on a hand grenade - don't do it!

You may be ok with jumping on a hand grenade but you will carry it beyond to other people.
raven316 avatar
raven316Beach Lover
#5
A tip for everyone, locals and visitors, and especially event planners:

Do Not attend or create any GROUP events!

I know South Walton usually has tons of events but RESIST the urge to have events!

Gathering groups together is the most dangerous thing going right now. Going to an event is like jumping on a hand grenade - don't do it!

You may be ok with jumping on a hand grenade but you will carry it beyond to other people.


We always said "keep your interval to one frag can get you all"!
liz coats avatar
liz coatsBeach Lover
#6
Tip well and have patience!
And if you run into the "Grim Reaper" be sure to tip him too. He needs the money.
Teresa avatar
TeresaSoWal GuideAuthor
#7
Please offer helpful advice here to residents and visitors as we begin a summer season at the beach during a pandemic. Thank you.

Locals! Get to the grocery store now! Already getting crowded. TP is low. Only a handful of shoppers wearing masks. Tomorrow morning may be the last opportunity time to shop safely.
newsprintBeach Lover
#8
Thanks to all, this has been helpful. We usually mostly eat at restaurants when visiting 30A but now plan to stay home with our crew and cook in. I'm expecting the Publix near Watercolor and Goatfeathers seafood market to be slammed/cleaned out. Are there any recommendations for higher quality grocery stores and seafood markets that are less likely to be hard hit by visitors? We don't mind driving 30 minutes or longer to stock up if needed.
Teresa avatar
TeresaSoWal GuideAuthor
#9
Thanks to all, this has been helpful. We usually mostly eat at restaurants when visiting 30A but now plan to stay home with our crew and cook in. I'm expecting the Publix near Watercolor and Goatfeathers seafood market to be slammed/cleaned out. Are there any recommendations for higher quality grocery stores and seafood markets that are less likely to be hard hit by visitors? We don't mind driving 30 minutes or longer to stock up if needed.
Publix stays pretty well stocked on most foods and BEER! But like grocery stores everywhere they are running low on paper products, cleaning supplies and other staples. They also have restrictions on many items such as meat.

Specialty shops are a great source for shopping!

Destin Ice Market Inlet Beach
For The Health of It Blue Mountain Beach
Shrimpers Seafood Market Santa Rosa Beach
Other seafood markets: Buddies, 3 Goatfeathers markets.
Wine World at WaterColor
Fresh Market PCB and Destin
Modica Market in Seaside
Teresa avatar
TeresaSoWal GuideAuthor
#111
I love the spirit of our community so much. Here is a message from Central Square Records in Seaside.

We are back!! Central Square Records will be back open tomorrow at 11am for all your music needs!! We are going to take this slow & start with limited hours,. Masks will be required and sanitizer provided at the door.

We will still offer curbside phone orders if you’re not yet ready to shop in-store (or cannot find a parking spot). Thanks everyone for your support! We look forward to seeing you soon!!


#centralsquarerecords #washyourhands #getyourmaskon #seasidefl #noshirtnoshoesnoproblem #supportyourlocalrecordstore

Central Square Records

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Matt J avatar
Matt JSWGB
#12
Don't forget to ask the rental company to show you the license and insurance paperwork for the cleaners of your condo. Private owners should have these readily available as well.
elgordoboy avatar
elgordoboyBeach Fanatic
#13
Don't forget to ask the rental company to show you the license and insurance paperwork for the cleaners of your condo. Private owners should have these readily available as well.
Seconded! I know that’s the first thing I do when I go on vacation.

Edited

raven316 avatar
raven316Beach Lover
#14
A friend down there just sent a picture of the bridge coming in. I'm glad I followed my gut and stayed away.
FoX avatar
FoXBeach Fanatic
#15
A friend down there just sent a picture of the bridge coming in. I'm glad I followed my gut and stayed away.
post em up.

:pics:
sunny850 avatar
sunny850Beach Lover
#18
What bridge is that? I just crossed the bridge an hour ago and it wasn’t like that at all...
bamasam avatar
bamasamBeach Comber
#19
Do the restaurants in SOWAL that are doing "take-out" have a website or an App that people can use to order ahead? My city has an App with participating restaurants that will allow you to order on-line and pay at most places. It really has been a blessing for our local businesses that were trying to stay afloat.
jodiFL avatar
jodiFLBeach Fanatic
#20
What bridge is that? I just crossed the bridge an hour ago and it wasn’t like that at all...
That looks like Hathaway (PCB) coming west.

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