Carillon questions

[spinDrAtl]

The sports bar was open in December and looked to be doing a pretty good business. I have not been since then however.

 

[Underthebluemoon]

 

[TooFarTampa]

We're going the 2nd and 3rd weeks in August (fingers crossed,) so all shall be revealed then.

I'm still hesitant on the Panama City thing, though. We like swanky
The only thing I remember about driving around in the main part of Panama City two years ago was all the religious retreat places next to dumpy motels, tons and tons of junky gift shops, across the street from waaaay too many high rise condos. The beaches did look nice, though.

Carillon is quiet and definitely swanky enough! It is a lovely little community, at least it appears so from the outside. It looks a lot like Seacrest Beach North to me -- that same beach-cottage look. A couple of notches below Seaside architecturally, but then most things are.

I've seen some of its homes featured in magazines, too. I have an issue with house porn and keep an eye out for such things.

 

[Rudyjohn]

We're going the 2nd and 3rd weeks in August (fingers crossed,) so all shall be revealed then.

I'm still hesitant on the Panama City thing, though. We like swanky
The only thing I remember about driving around in the main part of Panama City two years ago was all the religious retreat places next to dumpy motels, tons and tons of junky gift shops, across the street from waaaay too many high rise condos. The beaches did look nice, though.

Oh, I love swanky too, but just don't go into the bowels of PCB. And the dumpy motels and religious camps have been there since forever. It has sort of a "vintage" or retro look to it tho.

 

[Lady D]

Now I like the Alvins Islands, Shipwreck, Ltd. stores and the Sunsations stores. Totally should get rid of the Condom Knowledge stores down along the strip. Just seeing the name is embarrassing! Not a place you want your kids to see! Alot of the dumpy looking motorcycle rental places, California Cycles to be exact, had signs up on their lots showing other properties that were going to be built in their places. And they were dumpy!

 

[Beachbummette]

There is a Starbuck's on 30-a now. If you are going west on 30-A it is past Seaside but before you get to Grayton three way stop on your left. Can't miss the Starbuck's sign.
I was down this past weekend (as I am most weekends) and they have opened a new coffee shop at Watercolor. Next to the market. I had an excellent frappacino there Saturday.
Carrillon is nice it is not like being in Panama City. You will be just caddy corner from the new Publix. Drive down 98 and park on 30-A to bike.
There is a new market at Rosemary Beach. Very good.
Have a great time.
Remember...if you are lucky enough to be at the beach, you are lucky enough!

 

[Mermaid]

We are going to be in Carillon for two weeks. How far is that from Seaside/Watercolor? Is it safe biking and distance for a 9-year old who just learned to ride, or do we need, again, to rent a two-seater (yuk.) Do the bike trails even go that far? We never paid any attention while we were there to anything that went East -- or West, really -- of Seaside.

Is Carillon close to the Publix in Watercolor, or is there more than one Publix in the general vicinity? Are we going to be safely spaced AWAY from Panama City?

Worried about the vibe there, since technically it is considered West Panama
City (?) When we did take a visit into the main part of PC two years ago, we couldn't WAIT to get out and back to Seagrove.........

I think you should definitely try to do the bike ride towards Seaside and WaterColor. The bike path is wonderful and safe. I see families on it all the time. We ride the route every time we're at the beach and it's no problem at all.

 

[Lady D]

The Sugar Sands Motel was the closest to the Christian Retreats as to address and I do not know if it is still open. The next closest is 3 blocks away. As to motels, the Palmetto Motel and the Peeks Family Motel and Chateau Motel are still there. But of the three I would say the Peeks Family Motel is the dumpiest. And the Sandpiper Beacon is there but it really is a resort. The part of the Palmetto motel on the beachside was torn down and a high rise is going there. I am sure there are other motels but we do not stay in them. And I am sure Thomas Drive still has some motels. Since we rent a individual's townhouse I do not pay attention to what is still there of the motels. Just keep seeing skyscraper high rises. Those houses across the street from the beach are not lucky enough to see the beach anymore alot of them.

 

[Underthebluemoon]

 

[Lady D]

Very pretty off of the Dan Russell Pier. Looked totally untouched there unless they had already renourished the beach. Very wide beach. I think they did some renourishment along the Thomas Drive part of the beach. Couldn't believe how wide that area was compared to down at the end we stay at. Very thin area of beach. Hopefully it will be better this year. Maybe somebody else that has been along the main stretch of beach down there recently will comment.