Tourists ARE welcome. If it weren't for tourism, our non-chain businesses that make 30A so unique couldn't survive. Many owners couldn't afford the mortgages on their second homes without tourism.
I'm not sure what I think about the rules regarding dogs on the beach. Many people with licensed dogs don't abide by the leash rule and don't pick up their dogs' poop. That's unforgiveable. But having sheriff's deputies patrolling enough to control every infraction regarding dogs would be cost-prohibitive.
I really don't have an answer, but I feel your pain. We sold our home in June, and our new home won't be completed until December. We have had trouble just finding a place to stay that is pet-friendly while we supervise our new home's construction. Our pet's license expired in August, and we can't get her a new license or take her to the beach until we close on the house.
As you can see from my signature photo, she was on a leash.
tourists. Sorry that you had a bad experience. I accept the fact that rules are rules, and some don't make sense. For example, as a college professor, why can I wear jeans to class, yet the staff members are forbidden from wearing jeans to work except in special situations?