There’s nothing that says summer vacation quite like beaches. I think almost everyone has at least one childhood memory of loading up the car with the old umbrella and folding chairs and driving down to the nearest coast. My family always stayed close to the shoreline, and as a kid, the novelty of waking up in the morning and opening the balcony door to the call of gulls and salty sea air was unlike anything else.
But make no mistake! Even as a kid, I knew that not all beaches were created equal. And since becoming a Florida local, I’ve been to my fair share of its beaches, both good and bad. In this article, I’ll tell you about the three best beaches I’ve been to these past few summers, plus one that you couldn’t pay me to go back to. Let’s get started!
Orange Beach, AL
Technically, this beach isn’t in Florida, but it might as well be! It’s located right on the Gulf of Mexico, so you get that Sunshine State feeling without having to travel down the panhandle, making it the perfect destination for those who want to save a little gas money.
Alabama isn’t super well-known for its beaches, but this makes Orange Beach that much more of a hidden gem. The shorelines here are quiet, calm, and mostly private, so consider staying at a property that has access to its own beach. Orange Beach caters more to adults looking for a relaxing getaway, but it’s also only a few miles away from Gulf Shores, which has a ton of activities for kids and families.
The restaurant choices are impeccable as well, whether you’re looking to live it up at LuLu’s or indulge in fancier fare at Perch. I’ve been to many restaurants at Orange Beach, but the one I come back to time and time again is Cobalt. It’s the perfect mix of casual and fine dining; the service is always fantastic; and the views simply cannot be beat.
Santa Rosa Beach, FL
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Santa Rosa is one of many beaches along the coast of South Walton. Collectively, the area is known as 30A, after the county road that runs along the shore. 30A has its own quaint small-town culture where high rises are almost non-existent and seasoned tourists are welcomed like old friends. While all the beaches along 30A are beautiful, Santa Rosa is considered one of the best.
Now, something to note about 30A is that no one drives cars there, at least not to the beaches. No, the primary mode of transportation if you’re staying nearby is bicycles (with the occasional golf cart mixed in). If that doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, then consider going elsewhere. But it really does add something special to the experience when you fully embrace the culture.
All of the local restaurants and shops cater to bikers with easily accessible trails, sidewalks, and parking areas. And in my experience, most of the rental properties along the road have bikes stored in the garage for renter use, so you’ll fit right in.
Clearwater Beach, FL
Clearwater Beach is one of the most amazing places I have ever had the pleasure to visit. Whether you’re just coming down for the day or staying for multiple days, there are plenty of things nearby to keep you entertained.
If you plan on coming down for a day trip like I usually do, I recommend parking at the Hilton right down the road from Pier 60. Not only will you have access to clean bathrooms and a place to change clothes, but you’ll also be right next to several restaurants, souvenir shops, and bars.
Additionally, the pier itself has nightly live music and entertainment, bouncy houses and trampolines for the kids, as well as local salespeople and vendors lining the pier with everything from homemade candles to hair products.
Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona’s name is synonymous with NASCAR because of the speedway, and while I don’t know a whole lot about racing, I do know beaches. And regardless of its fame, I would not return to this place in a million years.
Unlike the other three beaches I mentioned above, Daytona Beach is located on the Atlantic, which means the water is murky instead of the crystal blue color of the Gulf. They also allow patrons to park and drive around on the sand itself, which makes for a loud, dirty, and all-round unpleasant atmosphere.
The crowd is also, let’s say, a little more rambunctious than most, and I don’t even want to talk about the public bathrooms. All in all, if you plan on coming to Daytona, skip the beach and focus on the races instead.
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