View Full Version : Need advice for visit
momtothree
03-11-2008, 01:36 PM
Hi Everyone,
My family will be visiting Seacreast for the first time in August. It looks absolutely beautiful and we are so excited! I’ve been researching the area now for over a week, and can still only find vague descriptions of the local beaches and restaurants. I would really appreciate it if anyone would be willing to share their favorite places to eat, find shells, snorkel, hang out, etc.
Thanks so much!
KISH7374
03-11-2008, 02:08 PM
Mom of 3, We have stayed in Seacrest 3 times and twice at the same house. The area is wonderful and very laid back. As for eating, we usually eat in but Amore's Pizza is great. You can get more detailed info from a lot of the other members. They have great reviews. I found the best place for shells is closer to Inlet Beach. It just seems like iit is less populated and easier for the pickings. A trip to Shell Island is a nice 1/2 day trip for snorkling. You can catch the shuttle at the end of St. Andrew's state park. Also a fun time for the kids is the Pirate Ship cruise in PCB. Our grandkids loved it. We went for the first time this past summer. You really can't go wrong staying anywhere alond 30-A for the simple beauty and relaxing time.
Some links to restaurant favorites and casual dining along 30-A: (watch dates on posts as some may not be in business anymore)
http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread.php?t=205&highlight=favorite+restaurants
http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread.php?t=13879&highlight=lunch+recommend
http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread.php?t=6313&highlight=lunch+recommend
KISH7374
03-11-2008, 02:37 PM
I forgot to mention that the sand is so soft that it squeaks when you walk on it. Also I never gets hot so the kids can walk on it without burning their feet. On a grayt day(all of them are good) the water is so clear and warm you will not be able to get the kids out. Also the fountains at Seacrest Square are a blast for the kids.
momtothree
03-11-2008, 04:00 PM
WOW! Thanks so much for the information. This is exactly what I was looking for!
sowalgayboi
03-13-2008, 01:28 AM
I forgot to mention that the sand is so soft that it squeaks when you walk on it. Also I never gets hot so the kids can walk on it without burning their feet. On a grayt day(all of them are good) the water is so clear and warm you will not be able to get the kids out. Also the fountains at Seacrest Square are a blast for the kids.
Actually the "squeaks" are because the sand is clean. Just like your hair when you get all the shampoo out. ;-)
Ocean Lover
03-13-2008, 01:40 AM
I remember being in your shoes about 4 years ago. I love to research and get to know an area before visiting too. The water will be wonderfully warm in August. I like it that way but some say it won't even cool you off. You might be surprised to know that there aren't any fast food or chain restaurants around. But there are many other fabulous places to choose from.
:welcome:You have time to really dig into this website and you will not be disappointed. There's a wealth of info here.....everything you will need.
Paula
03-13-2008, 08:15 AM
:welcome: Seacrest is a great community. If it's the large Seacrest development, it has a fantastic pool as you know. August is our favorite time of the year to be in SoWal because the summer crowds are gone and all of the things to do are so easy to do. And the pool and ocean water are so comfortable - we get into our floaters in the pool with a good book and just float around for hours. You are right near (walking distance) the following (we have cottages at the Cottages at Camp Creek which is about one mile west of Seacrest so we hang out on that side of 30A all the time with two kids):
Village of South Walton: Our favorite thing to do there is to watch the dancing fountain light up at night and kids can run through it in their bathing suits. It's dancing all day, but the lights are great at night. Sometimes during the summer, there's music too around 8:30 PM and the fountain is choreographed to dance specifically to the music, but it didn't do that last August. We also go to Seacrest Cafe to get something to eat and eat ice cream. If you have a laptop and need wireless, there's wireless at Seacrest Cafe and you can even get it outside. There are little shops Villages of South Walton, though we haven't shopped there yet. And I believe there's a new steak place.
Rosemary Beach: It's fun to walk through there to see the architecture. There are also restaurants, shops, and often free outdoor concerts/movies in the evening. There's also a spa and we like the little cheese/wine/market/eatery called Sweet Olives. It's expensive at Rosemary Beach. They also have a tricky little fountain that kids like because it looks like it's just a nice sitting area with a bench and then kids like to push a button and the area becomes a water fountain (our kids like to take the naive friendly visitor to the fountain and surprise them by soaking them - we're working on their manners).
Fonville Press: This is a great little coffee shop at Alys Beach, a new very high-end development. I am in heaven when I sit in their courtyard (hot in August) and have a special pastry/cup of coffee. They also have a Friday evening after-beach wine and food event. The wine is expensive but then you get nice food as well and it's family friendly. I've heard Sweet Olives does the same thing on Friday nights but I haven't been to that one.
Shades: I like the sports bar/restaurant Shades because they have excellent po'boys and are family friendly (moderate cost but for a family it can become expensive).
Grocery shopping: The closest supermarket will be Publix about 3 miles away toward Panama City. You can get a lot of ready-made meals there, too, from sandwiches to chicken and things like that if you don't want to cook.
Seagrove is about 5 miles away (Angelinas is our kids' favorite for pizza and pasta), Seaside is about 7 miles away (must-see and also has free outdoor movies/concerts/shopping/restaurants/etc.), and grayton beach with the well-known and wonderful Red Bar restaurant (family friendly) is about 11 miles away. Sometimes we'll get in the car and drive to Grayton Beach State Park and spend a good half-day there because it has showers, grills, bathrooms, etc., and is very family-friendly. All the beaches along 30A are great.
Be aware of the flag system on our beaches because they will tell you if the water is relatively safe (green flag) or stay out of the water (red) - I wouldn't go in with kids or even myself for yellow either to be on the safe side. There can be rip tides. We stay close to shore even on green days but other people on the board I'm sure feel comfortable venturing farther out.
Everyone on this board is talking about a new dining place in Seagrove called Flip Flops so I'll be trying that next time I'm there. Sounds family friendly.
wrobert
03-13-2008, 08:22 AM
Actually the "squeaks" are because the sand is clean. Just like your hair when you get all the shampoo out. ;-)
I thought it was because it was mostly quartz.
scooterbug44
03-13-2008, 12:09 PM
And it sparkles too!
I have entertained quite a few people jumping around in the dark like a little kid to make it sparkle! :rofl:
tistheseason
03-13-2008, 01:17 PM
Keep in mind that Seacrest is within walking distance to Rosemary and Alys. Both of those communities have websites that can give you the lay of the land. Seacrest isn't as organized of a community and doesn't have a website or schedule of events. But you are smack in the middle of two amazing communities!
And it sparkles too!
I have entertained quite a few people jumping around in the dark like a little kid to make it sparkle! :rofl:
:clap: This is the coolest thing to do! Scrape your feet along the damp sand at night (in the darkest area of the beach you can find) and watch the bioluminescent plankton glow for a brief second after they've been disturbed. We discovered this one year at Grayton Beach and couldn't stop watching our feet!
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momtothree
03-13-2008, 01:33 PM
Thank you, thank you, thank you! This information is wonderful and exactly what I was looking for!
TooFarTampa
03-13-2008, 01:44 PM
:clap: This is the coolest thing to do! Scrape your feet along the damp sand at night (in the darkest area of the beach you can find) and watch the bioluminescent plankton glow for a brief second after they've been disturbed. We discovered this one year at Grayton Beach and couldn't stop watching our feet!
.
:blink:
ktschris
03-13-2008, 01:53 PM
:clap: This is the coolest thing to do! Scrape your feet along the damp sand at night (in the darkest area of the beach you can find) and watch the bioluminescent plankton glow for a brief second after they've been disturbed. We discovered this one year at Grayton Beach and couldn't stop watching our feet!
.
:lolabove: This is my preferred method for a pedi (well not at night, during the day, from my chair. For a perfect pedi it is advised to continue for at least 6 days! :cool:)
:blink:
:lol:
:lolabove: This is my preferred method for a pedi (well not at night, during the day, from my chair. For a perfect pedi it is advised to continue for at least 6 days! :cool:)
:biggrin: On my SILs first trip to beach with us she came with a beautiful pedicure. It didn't last the morning!
.
ktschris
03-13-2008, 01:59 PM
:clap: I love how soft that sand makes my feet :wub:
Ocean Lover
03-14-2008, 12:12 AM
I thought it was because it was mostly quartz.
True dat.
sowalgayboi
03-14-2008, 12:42 AM
:clap: This is the coolest thing to do! Scrape your feet along the damp sand at night (in the darkest area of the beach you can find) and watch the bioluminescent plankton glow for a brief second after they've been disturbed. We discovered this one year at Grayton Beach and couldn't stop watching our feet!
.
Very true, it is really the only time to encourage small children to kick the surf as high as they can. Works really well during a full moon. ;-)
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