Taking a tour of the Emerald Coast, I can tell you that I’ve been to almost every beach along the Florida Panhandle. Some are more laid back while others are bustling little beaches that are full of every kind of fun. Some areas are more well known, but even the most well known aren’t usually my first choice. We took a trip to scour each little town to see which ones were truly the most beautiful – and these were my very favorites.
#8 – Destin, Florida
Destin, Florida is a busy, busy town. It can literally take 45 minutes to go 5 miles in the summertime. There’s tons to do, so most real estate is dedicated to tourism. However there are some gorgeous homes here.
#7 – Pensacola, Florida
One of my all time favorite beaches, Pensacola is a pretty little town that has plenty to do, yet still has a laid back feel. It’s the best of both worlds!
Mexico Beach is probably the laziest little town on the list. Which is a good thing! If you want a more relaxed trip to the beach then Mexico Beach is your best bet.
#5 – Cedar Key, Florida
Looking for a taste of the island life on the Emerald Coast? Cedar Key, Florida is definitely the place to go. It reminds me of a combo of New Orleans architecture, but you know… at the beach.
Located near Destin, Crystal Beach, Florida is a little community with gorgeous beaches and houses to drool over.
#3 – St. George Island, Florida
St. George Island is like stepping into a storybook. It’s beautiful and unspoiled by big companies.
#2 – Seaside, Florida
Built as the set of the movie The Truman Show, Seaside, Florida is a gorgeous little gem where you can spend days just soaking in the scenery. But the shopping and food isn’t to miss!
This town isn’t really on the beach, but at only 10 minutes away, I still consider it a beach town. It’s a gorgeous, historic community across the bridge from St. George Island and I dream of moving there someday!
Jane @ Cottage at the Crossroads says
Apalachicola is my favorite too! The oysters are amazing!
Gina Luker says
Thanks Jane!
jan says
just can’t beat Mexico Beach, lived there for 13 years and loved the laid back way of living on island time.
Gina Luker says
Sounds heavenly Jan π
Sean M. Griffin says
Have a beautiful home in Panama City Beach, but love to sneak into Seaside to eat. The Gulf Coast is a great treasure.
Gina Luker says
I agree Sean, you are so lucky, it is so beautiful there!!
Carol Sullivan says
No to be mean, but Seaside was not built for The Truman Show.
The Truman Show used Seaside as its fictional setting!
Of course it is still a beautiful community π
Gina Luker says
You are right Carol, it is a beautiful community and no worries π
Janice Davis says
Love this post, Gina. I am a beach person and my favorite beach is Gulf Shores, AL, just a three hour drive away.
Gina Luker says
Lucky you Janice! I am so glad you enjoyed the post π
Diane Edwards says
I love this! I live just a little north of Destin, so I’m very blessed. As I read down and saw your picture, I realized that we are Facebook friends. Maybe if/when you move to Appalachicola, we will become friends.
Gina Luker says
Lucky you Diane! Yea, that would be fun π
Felecia says
Seaside is my favorite, well really any of the little beach towns along the beautiful 30a route. Grayton Beach, Water Color. They are all different even though they are close together. Each little town has its own unique features that makes them their own. You have definitely made me wish I was there today.
Gina Luker says
Thanks Felecia….oh me too!!!
Norma Rolader says
They are all beautiful
Trish says
HI Gina,
You have just hit on so many greats and we have checked out most of them, so good job! We finally discovered and settled on Dunedin, FL, just north of Clearwater Beach. It’s got Honeymoon Island park / beach that is OMG!. It’s been rated the number 1 beach in US, many times. Then downtown Dunedin is like a little European cobblestone village, just love the sense of community, a little different feel than most ports along the gulf coast. A big thing for us in Colorado is that Dunedin is consistently 10-15 degrees warmer and delivers more sunshine than the panhandle area. It’s just a bit south of Crystal Beach and flights in Tampa are a bargain! Put Dunedin on your next trip list, you’ll be blown away!
Trish
Gina Luker says
Oh wow Trish, thanks so much for the tip, it sounds amazing!!
Larain says
Like you I am a beach snob, we live across the road from the most beautiful beach. Approximately 9 kms of white sand and beautiful waves. Seashells to collect, they change form and colour with the various tides, I have display jars of them. During the week we get about 6+8 groups on our beach, a few more on the weekends. During school holidays we get 15β20Groups. Most days we have nobody so we can throw our towel anywhere.
This is the joy of kving on the far north coast of NSW Australia. We are so lucky. The biggest problem is vacumning the sand that is not washed off in the pool. That is the price I pay for living near the beach. Oh dear!!!!???ββοΈββοΈββοΈ
Gina Luker says
Hi Larain,
You are so lucky!! It sounds amazing, I’d vacuum sand all day any day to live there!! Enjoy your paradise π
Katy Beacher says
Thank you for the visual journey to your paradise. I enjoyed it as I sit here in my cozy living room in the Northwest. Our beaches are enjoyed in the summer and fall months. If you are ever in the Northwest you must visit Long Beach , Washington. Its a fun place with a special event almost every weekend during the summer and early fall.
Gina Luker says
Thanks Katy, I hope to get there one day, it sounds wonderful!
Jeanine Fish says
I love Destin and Panama City beach but have not been to these other beaches. Now I have a great excuse!! The whole area is wonderful. Thanks for the post.
Gina Luker says
My pleasure Jeanine, have fun!!
Beverly says
Cedar Key Florida is not on the Emerald coast, itβs in the Nature Coast far from the panhandle area.
It is my hometown.
My favorite Emerald Coast towns are Seaside, And Santa Rosa.
Gina Luker says
Thanks for the clarification Beverly π
Rita Schrimsher says
Love St. George Island. There are eight of us retired teachers who go to the island every May…used to go in June before we all retired. We rent the same house on the Plantation for a week. This next May will be our 17th year.
Gina Luker says
Oh that sounds amazing Rita, what a wonderful tradition!