I am looking for a spot for our first family vacation. We usually go to the Caribbean, but don't want to with a baby. Someone suggested Destinand I found a great condo on Okaloosa Island. Has anyone ever stayed there? How is it? Pros, Cons? Places to run, exercise?
Thanks!
Nope, never have.
It's a pretty nice place. A little more commercial than further down the coast to the east (grayton-seagrove) and not as much in terms of running, but plenty for the kids to do and close enough to Destin and Ft. Walton that you can get there without too much hassle. Make sure to hit up Goofy Golf in Ft. Walton... a classic old mini-golf place that's been there since the 60s or 70s. I would suggest looking at Blue Mountain Beach, Gulf Trace, Grayton, Seaside, Watercolor, or Seagrove. Those lack the tacky tourist trap-type places and have great restaurants, shops, beaches, and EXCELLENT running options. Dirt trails and fireroads are plentiful, there's a paved bike path if that's your thing, and of course there's the beach.
Family Vacation wrote:
I am looking for a spot for our first family vacation. We usually go to the Caribbean, but don't want to with a baby. Someone suggested Destinand I found a great condo on Okaloosa Island. Has anyone ever stayed there? How is it? Pros, Cons? Places to run, exercise?
Thanks!
I lived on Okaloosa Island for about a year and all I can say is...it is NOT a family friendly place to be. Packed with white trash, drunk rednecks, military guys looking to let off steam at the clubs, and hordes of moronic kids on spring break. The beautiful beaches are pillaged by these folks. I have lived all over the country and it is by far the worst place i've ever been in terms of running. The humidity is absolutely oppressive. Unless you're there in the winter the heat will get you as well. The roads are not built for the amount of congestion they recieve...from noon to 8 pm most days it is an absolute nuthouse trying to get over the brooks bridge or down to destin. if you MUST stay in this area i recommend sandestin, santa rosa, grayton's beach, something to the east of okaloosa. there is a huge military base nearby with huge tracts of nice swampland with some good trails, but the heat and humidity combo makes running absolutely horrendus. the general attitude of folks is hostile to minorities and anyone not of a confederate bent. it would be best if the florida panhandle seceded from the union, but if the whole thing can't go, at least separate okaloosa county.
Thanks![/quote]
I lived on Okaloosa Island for about a year and all I can say is...it is NOT a family friendly place to be. Packed with white trash, drunk rednecks, military guys looking to let off steam at the clubs, and hordes of moronic kids on spring break. The beautiful beaches are pillaged by these folks. I have lived all over the country and it is by far the worst place i've ever been in terms of running. The humidity is absolutely oppressive. Unless you're there in the winter the heat will get you as well. The roads are not built for the amount of congestion they recieve...from noon to 8 pm most days it is an absolute nuthouse trying to get over the brooks bridge or down to destin. if you MUST stay in this area i recommend sandestin, santa rosa, grayton's beach, something to the east of okaloosa. there is a huge military base nearby with huge tracts of nice swampland with some good trails, but the heat and humidity combo makes running absolutely horrendus. the general attitude of folks is hostile to minorities and anyone not of a confederate bent. it would be best if the florida panhandle seceded from the union, but if the whole thing can't go, at least separate okaloosa county.[/quote]
This really isn't true. The area is overcrowded but the people are not that ridiculous. You are right about the roads and the weather but if you are used to oppresive humidity then it won't bug you too much. I would stay at Sandestin (an all-inclusive resort) or east of there. Staying at Ft. Walton you will be in the car to go everywhere and that won't be much fun for anyone. At Sandestin there are activities for the kids and whole family, sidewalks all over the resort, many different accomodations to choose from, and you can use everything at the resort no matter which room type you use.
Family Vacation wrote:
I am looking for a spot for our first family vacation. We usually go to the Caribbean, but don't want to with a baby. Someone suggested Destinand I found a great condo on Okaloosa Island. Has anyone ever stayed there? How is it? Pros, Cons? Places to run, exercise?
Thanks!
Are you open to other areas? Maybe this is withing a day's drive or something?
With a baby, I definitely think the Gulf Coast is the way to go...calmer than the Atlantic side, so even if your baby doesn't put feet in or something, the Atlantic side can be noisy and scary to a baby.
The calmest ocean water I've ever seen is at Sanibel Island, FL. Very laid back, no teenage or college partiers. Don't want to spend the money there, then my second suggestion would be Indian Rocks Beach just south of Clearwater, FL. Good for young families there.
I can't say yay or nay to Okaloosa Island.