Hello from Ohio

[Tsuchla]

I just joined the SoWal community. We are planning on an extended vacation in June (14 days) and will be staying in the Seacrest Beach area. Traveling with 2 families (4 adults and 7 children ranging from 11-18 years old). We are looking for any suggestions on reasonable meals, entertainment, and fishing trips (prefer to fish from a pier). This will be our 1st trip to the area.

 

[TooFarTampa]

Two weeks -- lucky you!

There is lots to do on the east side of 30A. My favorite "reasonable" as in bring-the-family restaurants are Wild Olives in Rosemary Beach, the Summer Kitchen in Rosemary for lunch, Shades at the Loop next door in Inlet Beach. For family outings (we have little ones) we also have gone to the Red Bar in Grayton and Angelina's pizza in Seagrove.

George's in Alys Beach is a little pricier and I'm sure suitable for older kids -- we haven't gone yet because we wanted to wait for our toddler to grow up a bit. It is apparently delicious. For a big splurge, dinner at the Caliza Pool at Alys is all the rage, and Chops 30A sounds great too. Is Onano in Rosemary still open, anyone? I love Onano.

At least once a trip we go to Cowgirl Kitchen and grab something decadent to fix for dinner. They have lots of oven-ready casseroles and dips and such. All are low-fat. :lie:

Pier Park is about 15 minutes from Seacrest in Panama City Beach, and it is a great place to let the kids wander -- movies, shopping, food, etc. It is all new and clean and I would consider it to be very safe.

 

[BeachbumAggie]

increasing our beach trip from 1 week to 2 weeks was the best thing hubby and I ever did for ourselves-sooo relaxing!

we stay in Seagrove Beach and we rent bikes for our 2 weeks so that we can bike around the area.

Seaside has great shops and is fun to hang out, some live music, a movie night, I've even seen a play there!

I love Bayou Bill's, there's one east of you at Carillon Beach and the one we've been to for years west on Hwy 98.

to the far west on 30A working back east here's my rec's for food:
Santa rosa
Stinky's fish camp and wine bar (funky name, great food, often live music)
The Lake Place-opening at new location soon, sister to Stinky's
Grayton Beach
the Red Bar, small but tasty and generous menu, live music, fun place
Seagrove
flip flops for burgers or poboys
Goatfeathers seafood market steams your shrimp for free-yummy
Angelina's is pretty good
Cafe 30A
I'm really ready to try George's and Wild Olive's

Down Hwy 98 is Sandestin resort with the Baytown Wharf area of shops and restaurants. West of that is Ciao Bella pizza, Fat Clemena's Italian and Dynasty Chinese-all good.

Check out the forum on dining and food for more rec's, there are several places that I've read about and want to try this year.

 

[ohmom]

you're gonna love it! many of our wonderful family memories were made on the beaches of Sowal

 

[ItzKatzTime]

I just joined the SoWal community. We are planning on an extended vacation in June (14 days) and will be staying in the Seacrest Beach area. Traveling with 2 families (4 adults and 7 children ranging from 11-18 years old). We are looking for any suggestions on reasonable meals, entertainment, and fishing trips (prefer to fish from a pier). This will be our 1st trip to the area.

There is so much to do around our area. But you can also have a quiet day if you need one just wandering around Eden Gardens State Park and you can fish off their "little" pier. This is a cool place for a picnic.

If the kids want some a little more exciting then the beach there are two water parks the kids might enjoy, each at opposite ends. One in Destin...Big Kahunas and the other in Panama City....ShipWreck Island! If you want to plan a day trip Econfina is incredible for canoeing and lazy tubing. But it is a bit of a ways out. Good Luck and have a wonderful time!

BIG KUHUNAS
Big Kahuna?s - Water Park
1007 US Highway 98 E
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 837-4061
Get directions


SHIPWRECK ISLAND
Shipwreck Island Waterpark: Panama City Beach Florida Vacation Attractions
12201 Middle Beach Rd
Panama City Bch, FL 32407
(850) 234-3333
Get directions