Beach Vendor Zone posts

[dragonflycafe]

At the risk of getting flamed or sounding petulant, I just want to add that we changed our Labor Day vacation plans from 30a to Sedona. These past two summers have been too stressful with the expensive chair vendors lining the entirety of Rosemary and Seacrest, crowds and traffic and decided to try something new. We didn't want to risk another packed week. Crowds are to be expected, but packed in like sardines while being forced to pay $300 for beach chairs isn't why we fell in love with the place. It's always been crowded in the summer, but never like this.

Again, I know one could easily say "Guh-bye!! Who cares!" However, I am a huge fan of 30a; art from the area all around my house, shirts, baseball caps, consistent posts on FB and IG about it, have sent at least three friends there...so if I'm grousy about it, I can't imagine what others are thinking.

And again, I feel for the residents!

 

[Bob Wells]

Sorry you are not returning, maybe another time.

 

[Jdarg]

I have heard so many tourist complaints this summer too.

 

[seabythegrove]

Frequently, these problems (overcrowding, over building, commercialism...) solve themselves. I can't imagine anyone who vacationed here 10+ years ago would come back now. It's simply not the same.

 

[30aconcerned]

What is good for locals is good for tourists. :up:

And TOO MANY tourists are not good for anyone.

 

[steel1man]

At the risk of getting flamed or sounding petulant, I just want to add that we changed our Labor Day vacation plans from 30a to Sedona. These past two summers have been too stressful with the expensive chair vendors lining the entirety of Rosemary and Seacrest, crowds and traffic and decided to try something new. We didn't want to risk another packed week. Crowds are to be expected, but packed in like sardines while being forced to pay $300 for beach chairs isn't why we fell in love with the place. It's always been crowded in the summer, but never like this. Again, I know one could easily say "Guh-bye!! Who cares!" However, I am a huge fan of 30a; art from the area all around my house, shirts, baseball caps, consistent posts on FB and IG about it, have sent at least three friends there...so if I'm grousy about it, I can't imagine what others are thinking. And again, I feel for the residents!

tell your friends. ..I can offer private beach on 30A with FREE daily umbrella and two chairs..just saying Rosemary and Seacrest and seagrove seaside watercolor ALL a ZOO PM me for my private Vrbo.....

 

[UofL]

Seaside. Tupelo. This was in May and has been in the past. Will see what it looks like in September.

 

[deborsk]

I have heard complaints too. A family in a crowded Water Color Publix on a Saturday said they just left their cart in the middle of the aisle and were definitely vacationing elsewhere next year. At the risk of sounding negative, maybe that wouldn't be such a bad thing. The crowds are getting worse every summer...Paradise is changing!

 

[seal]

In Panama City Beach today they were ticketing vendors. Vendors there have to be 30 feet back from the mean high water line. Here is the scoop: http://www.mypanhandle.com/news/beach-vendors-upset-over-ticketing

What sets SoWal apart is the mindset of an idyllic time-gone-by experience at the beach. This is THE MOST VALUABLE and distinguishing asset of the area.

These vendors are killing that. Get rid of ALL vendors on the beach. If a tourist wants to rent that stuff, let them haul it there. To get all vendors removed is going to be a battle much like stopping the Hampton on 30A. The vendors, their employees, etc. will show at the council meetings and claim its the end of the world. But it will be a welcome change to a more simple beach experience.

 

[Mike Jones]

I hate to be a wet blanket but every year people complain about how crowded it is, yet every year new rentals are built and existing rentals are filled to capacity...

This is true in almost every beach town ever made.

Unfortunately, for every person who is fed up, there are 2 more who think it is perfect.

This is true in almost every beach town ever made.

But I agree that the locals need to stand up and keep things from becoming out of control. It begins and ends on the beach. If we can't at least have a free, clean, clutter free beach we've lost everything.