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

[Teresa]

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?


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.

 

[Beach Runner]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.....