Best beach for a day trip from Tally?

[NoleLizards]

New Zealand

Exactly! What self-respecting LRer doesn't own a Learjet?

 

[totallynot321Nole]

There are 59 beach accesses in Walton County and 5 huge ocean front state parks. There are a few HOAs enforcing the new law, mainly Vizcaya on 30a, but overall 30a is still 30a. Most residence aren’t enforcing like you are stating Dan.

Screw 'em. Boycott anyways.

 

[Seminolejon78]

This may not help you at all, but we drove from Tallahassee to the PC airport the long way last month just to see what the Panacea/St. Teresa area looked like...we hadn't been there since the mid-60s. We were shocked. There were once some wonderful (at least to us) seafood restaurants in Panacea (Faiver's was our favorite), but that little town looked like a war zone. The cottages in St. Teresa were great for college drinking parties in our day, and maybe they still are, but if you're looking for white sand, clear blue water, and decent restaurants, you need to look at least as far west as Apalachicola/St. George Island.

Faivers is now Angelos. The original building was wiped out in a storm and it was rebuilt.

 

[LethalSimplicity]

The beach at St. George followed by a nice seafood dinner at Angelo's in Panacea would be hard to beat. Avoid the crowds further west.

 

[RTM58]

If you're going to make it a "day" trip, only slightly farther than some above...

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https://www.instagram.com/localbrandfl/

https://www.instagram.com/sarahbalduzzi/

https://www.instagram.com/tayporche/

#It'sInTheWater #TheJup

Avoid the sharks though

 

[DDennis73]

For being so close to the water it’s actually a good drive to good beaches. A true day trip would imo limit you to St George area. Schools are already starting in Ga now, maybe grab a one night vrbo or condo and really enjoy the beaches anywhere from Destin to PCB. The FloraBama crowd portrayed on tv is really just for tv and what you find in the bars.

 

[ReliableOstrich]

The FloraBama crowd portrayed on tv is really just for tv and what you find in the bars.

I'm hoping that's the case. I do recall PCB being pretty trashy back when I was in HS, coupled with the Myrtle Beach crowd I saw a few years ago (too many confederate flag bathing suits to count), gives me pause about going to a beach area now known for Floribama. Have been to the Jersey Shore a few times and it's every bit as bad (or worse) in it's own way, so not just trying to dis Florida here.
To each their own but that's not my vibe - I like to party but a bit more upscale, else would prefer peace and quiet.

 

[DDennis73]

Keep in mind no one calls the beach Floribama. The bar named the Floribama is actually 3 hrs to the west. Thomas Dr is more party compared to west end of beaches but it’s all very family friendly. Only area I would say steer clear off if you want quiet is between Spinaker and Pineapple Willies. It’s not bad but more college party scene.

 

[seminole97]

I like to party but a bit more upscale, else would prefer peace and quiet.

Quiet on the parts of St George we visit regularly, but as a kid growing up in Niceville, Okaloosa Island was awesome because the military owns most of it, so it’s just huge dunes and beach with a radar dome or two down the highway.
Check it out on google maps.
Figure that’s be at least 6 hours on the road from Tallahassee there and back...

 

[ReliableOstrich]

Spinaker and Pineapple Willies. It’s not bad but more college party scene.

Oh man, Spinnaker!
Is La Vela still around??

 

[DDennis73]

Both still around. Spinaker seems to be more the older crowd. LaVela more clubby.

 

[sunset30a]

Anywhere between PCB and Destin.

I think PCB is the closest.

Cape San Blas is a beautiful beach and faces more West than any other beach in the panhandle and has the same beautiful white sand as well. Might be closer to Tally too. You’ll have to map it out and see.

Be careful with beaches in Walton County. They have enforced the new private beach ordinance. Which means you are trespassing when behind a private residence, and the residences aren’t playing around when it comes to enforcing. There are only 5 beach accesses in that area. Unless your behind a resort/seaside shopping area, or at the state park, you will more than likely have to be behind a private beach. So beware before you make the drive.

My recommendation would be PCB behind Schooners restaurant. There is a lot of beach behind them, they have great food and drinks, typically a live band, they allow you to use their restrooms, and there is plenty of parking. There could be places just as good that are closer, but I do know you can’t go wrong with behind Schooners.

There's some truth in what you're saying about Walton County but not much. There's more than 5 beach accesses and all gulf front properties don't go to the mean high water line. Before I posted things like this as fact I would educate myself a little better.

 

[Squirrel J.]

People definitely have different ideas of what a day trip is. For me it would be Shell Point, Bald Point or St. Teresa.
Just got back from a week at SGI, that is my favorite beach in the area (or CSB, that is even farther) but not for a day trip, I don't want to spend 4 hours in the car to spend 6 hours at the beach.

 

[ReliableOstrich]

Yep the term 'day trip' is relative. To each their own.
Lots of good suggestions in this thread though.

Got me tempted to just snag a room for 1 night at the beach, make it a 2-day trip.

 

[DanC78]

I used to do day trips from Orlando to New Smyrna Beach. I forget how long of a drive it was, want to say 90 or so minutes from front door to beach parking lot.

It was a haul, but worth it. We would get in a full day at the beach and back home in time for dinner.

 

[ohio#1nolefan]

Okaloosa is where I go every year and will be going there next week. We stay towards the AFB therefore there are no condos at a certain point of the beach. Take a 10 minute drive to Destin for food.

 

[Seminolejon78]

For a day trip, SGI is your best bet from Tally if you want nice emerald green water.

There are closer beaches, such as Alligator Point, Bald Point, St Teresa, and Carabelle Beach, but none are as nice as SGI.

 

[Imtotallynottribe]

For being so close to the water it’s actually a good drive to good beaches. A true day trip would imo limit you to St George area. Schools are already starting in Ga now, maybe grab a one night vrbo or condo and really enjoy the beaches anywhere from Destin to PCB. The FloraBama crowd portrayed on tv is really just for tv and what you find in the bars.

I only disagree in how little you’re willing to drive for a day trip. I’ve made many a daytrips to Blackwater and/or Pensacola let alone Panama City that I drive to for work once or twice a week.

If you’re out the door by 9 ET in Tally you could be at the McGuires by 11 CT for a quality steak and an Irish Wake or two. Then head over to the National Naval Air Museum (a surprisingly good museum even most women enjoy for at least the quality selfies if not the history) for a couple of hours. Then hit up the Sandshaker Lounge for a couple of Bushwhackers and then head out to the Gulf Islands National Seashore to hike around the Civil War era Ft Pickens as well as the WW2 era beach batteries before spending a couple of hours on the beach. Depending on whether you stay for sunset you can either eat dinner at one of the quality seafood places in Pensacola or else if I leave early I’ll frequently eat at PoFolks in Marianna along the way back for some nostalgia food. You’ll be back by midnight at the latest depending on how much time you spend at the beach and eating.

I’ve done the above at least a half dozen times from Tally. And more often I’ll make a short two day trip by leaving Tally at 5 and grabbing dinner at one of the good seafood places outside of Mobile near Battleship row and then go on to Biloxi to gamble that night and stay at one of the casino resorts. Then we’ll get up, maybe gamble a bit more and eat lunch in or around Biloxi and then stop off at one of the springs or beaches in the panhandle on the way back. I do that at least three or four times a year and I’ll even make it a nice two and a half day visit by going extending out to New Orleans for a day.

 

[RangerNole]

Okaloosa is where I go every year and will be going there next week. We stay towards the AFB therefore there are no condos at a certain point of the beach. Take a 10 minute drive to Destin for food.

Does the AF own any beach houses or stuff like that through the MWR? I ask because I know the DOD have places in Disney, Hawaii and they own a number of places in Europe you can rent as well. It is really a nice perk especially for the lower ranking folks.

 

[bigmamanole]

I'm a bit surprised that no one's mentioned Bald Point (State Park) or Alligator Point...both of which are located on the same peninsula merely about an hour's drive from Tally. The beaches there are very nice, but there's not much to do there besides strictly outdoor activities. However, there are several quality (especially seafood) restaurants to stop at for dinner on the way back. You'd need to pack a cooler for lunch & beverages though.

 

[bigmamanole]

We were at Alligator Point this past week. Alligator Point was hit hard by a storm some months back. Not such a great area right now. With that being said, Angelo's food was awesome as always.

 

[seminole97]

Does the AF own any beach houses or stuff like that through the MWR? I ask because I know the DOD have places in Disney, Hawaii and they own a number of places in Europe you can rent as well. It is really a nice perk especially for the lower ranking folks.

Maxwell Gunter is I think the name of the RV and cottages park they have under the shadow of the mid bay bridge on the north side (White Point).
I think they have something in Destin too, but availability can be an issue so definitely reserve well ahead.

 

[NoleLizards]

We were at Alligator Point this past week. Alligator Point was hit hard by a storm some months back. Not such a great area right now. With that being said, Angelo's food was awesome as always.

Mmmmmmm...Angelo's.

 

[ohio#1nolefan]

Does the AF own any beach houses or stuff like that through the MWR? I ask because I know the DOD have places in Disney, Hawaii and they own a number of places in Europe you can rent as well. It is really a nice perk especially for the lower ranking folks.

I'm not sure. We stay on Santa Rosa Blvd. near the end of the public road. On the other side of the road however there are some small houses. Some are ok some are not too desirable..