Cape San Blas, Indian Pass, Port St. Joe and Wewahitchka. How many of these spots are on your been there, done that list? Likely, not a one of em. These Gulf County, Florida locales are part of the Forgotten Coast. Here development hasnt suffocated Old Florida from the landscape and theres no bumper-to-bumper tourist traffic, crowds, noise or hurry. Here is a secret paradise that will hopefully never be discovered by the masses.
Cape San Blas. This 17-mile long barrier peninsula holds some of the most beautiful beaches youve ever laid eyes on. No wonder the entire area has been rated among the finest beaches in the country. Ride the Loggerhead Run Bike Trail or bring a chair, a picnic lunch and your favorite book and settle in the sand. Either way, expect to enjoy some peaceful uninterrupted downtime.
Indian Pass. Indian Pass lies at the west end of Apalachicola Bay. Here the Bay meets the Gulf of Mexico and creates one fabulous fishing spot. Just across the way, 10-mile long St. Vincent Island serves as a National Wildlife Refuge. A short ferry ride will get you to this exotic isle where Sambar deer, bald eagles and other wildlife enjoy a protected existence.
Port St. Joe. Sleepy little Port St. Joe is as close as youll get to bustle along the Forgotten Coast. Theres a great little historic downtown and a waterfront district, the whole of which is small enough to walk from one end to the other. The Bay Walk Trail adjacent to the Visitors Center and boat ramp is a great place to start your explorations. First, though, pop into the Visitors Center and pick up free visitors guides, maps and brochures. The Bay Walk Trail will connect to the Port City Trail and covering these two will give you a nice tour of the areas parks and historic features.
Wewahitchka. Honey, let me tell you! Wewahitchka is the site of one of Floridas largest beekeeping operations and where world-famous Tupelo honey is this regions gold. Speaking of gold, the movie Ulees Gold starring Peter Fonda was filmed in Wewahitchka and brought a lot of notoriety to the natural beauty here.
Things to see and do.
The Forgotten Coast maintains four historical lighthouses: Cape San Blas, Cape St. George, Crooked River and St. Marks. Each has its own unique appeal and history and their close proximity affords a rare opportunity to see so many lighthouses in only a short drive.
Got a passion for shopping? Let er rip in historic downtown Port St. Joe. Reid Avenue is a half-mile smorgasbord of charming shops filled with art, antiques, eateries and just about everything.
A moonlit horseback ride along the beach is only one of the riding options among the three stables along the Coast: Broke-A-Toe, (850) 899-RIDE; Two-Bit Stable, (850) 227-4744; and the Rockin M Ranch, (850) 227-6117.
St. Joseph Bay Golf Club is open to the public and features a par-72, 18-hole course, putting green and driving range. Fourteen of the 6,655-yard courses holes include water features. Theres also a pro shop, clubhouse restaurant and a pro shop where rental clubs are available.
Charter fishing boats are plentiful, like Congo Charters, offering inshore and offshore fishing as well as sightseeing tours; and Premier Sportfishing Adventures, with all sorts of fishing options plus eco-tours and more. If sailings in your dreams, Windward Sailing Charters (850/596-2158) in Port St. Joe can fill your fantasy. Seahorse Water Safaris provides a wide range of water options from boat rentals to fishing and sailing excursions, history cruises and more.
For rental bicycles, kayaks or other water craft, Happy Ours Kayak & Bike Outpost in Port St. Joe is the place to go. They also rent snorkeling and fishing gear, plus offer guided eco-tours via kayak or canoe; guided snorkeling; and guided fishing and scalloping.
Where to stay:
You wont find much in the way of major chain hotels, which is one of the many reasons Old Florida still exists in this wonderful microcosm. The only exceptions are Mainstay Suites and Comfort Inn in Port St. Joe. Aside from these, your options range from places like the Dixie Belle Motel with rates as low as $45 a night to the gulf front Turtle Beach Inn (photo, right) with rooms, including breakfast, starting at $175 nightly.
Another favorite B&B is the Tiki Palms Inn in Port St. Joe with nightly tariffs of $90-$140, including breakfast, of course. They also offer snowbird rates for longer term stays mid-November through February.
St. Joseph Peninsula State Park sprawls over 2,516 acres with miles of pristine white sand beaches. The park affords excellent fishing, nature trails, picnic area and playground plus modern and primitive campsites at $24 a night. Any Florida resident age 65-up or with a 100 percent disability award certificate gets half off campsite fees. Eight cabins, each accommodating up to six people, overlook St. Joseph Bay. The park is the perfect place for a full vacation or a day trip. Cabins go for $100 a night or $650 per week; due to their extreme popularity, youll want to reserve yours well in advance. Day visitor fee is $6 per carload up to eight people or $2 per person for pedestrians or bicyclists.
Popular park activities include fishing, swimming, snorkeling, boating, canoeing, kayaking, bicycling, hiking, wildlife viewing and birding.
Indian Pass Campground is ideal for campers, RVers or those looking for the comforts of an up-to-date cabin. Campground amenities include an outdoor pool, modern shower facilities, laundry room, camp store and more. Waterfront primitive tent sites are $25 a night; waterfront RV sites are $32; and interior RV sites are $38 nightly. Waterfront cabins go for $85-$120 a night.
At least two dozen rental agencies represent local properties. There are also several dozen individual vacation rentals, one of which is Aqua Essence in Cape San Blas. There are three units in this owners holdings and pets are welcome for a nominal additional charge.
Where to eat:
Sunset Coastal Grill on Highway 98 in Port St. Joe serves up sunsets as delicious as their food. Appetizers include hot crab and artichoke dip; garlicky scallops; and fried Apalachicola oysters. Main dishes run the gamut from lobster ravioli and shrimp and grits to landlubber specialties like Oscar beef tenderloin, barbecue baby back ribs and chicken penne. The lunch menu offers the same great appetizers, plus scrumptious salads, paninis, sandwiches, soups, gumbos, and more. Lunch offerings are also considerably lighter on your wallet.
Other spots to consider: St. Joe Shrimp Company; Steamers Hot Dogs; Paul Gants Barbecue; and nationally acclaimed Joe Mamas Wood-Fired Pizza.
Seasonal events. Through mid-November the Salt Air Farmers Market sets up shop every first and third Saturday in City Commons Park in downtown Port St. Joe. Offerings include local produce, fresh-baked bread, handmade crafts and more.
September 28-30 Wewahitchka hosts the Florida Catfish Classic on the Apalachicola River. This event combines a fishing tournament with a family-friendly festival.
October 6 from 11am-2pm the Friends of St. Joseph Bay Preserves will be doing their Shrimp Boil fundraiser on Simmons Bayou with live music and plenty of fabulous food.
October 19-21 the Blast on the Bay Songwriters Festival brings some of Nashvilles finest to the Forgotten Coast. Performances take place in a number of locations and are FREE or request only a minimal donation. Proceeds benefit the Educational Foundation of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and the Gulf Alliance for Local Arts.
October 27 ushers in Port St. Joes Bow Wow Bash with a 5K run, pet competitions, Masquerade Ball, silent and open Auction, live entertainment, plenty of scrumptious eats and more. This fun-filled fundraiser is for the St. Joseph Humane Society.
Pet-friendly. Virtually all of Gulf Countys beaches welcome pets on leashes. The one exception is St. Joseph Peninsula State Park. Pet-friendly accommodations are plentiful, too.
More info. Get your own Gulf County, Florida Visitors Guide from their website, www.VisitGulf.com. You can request a print copy or download the online version. "The essential to budget travel is to plan ahead. When it comes along to family trips, globetrotting, well-deserved trips and/or going to see new locations we have never been before, the fact of expense and budgeting is often in the back of our thoughts. Arranging and consuming our travel budget correctly is a priority for most families. Reducing consuming and expenses, while still experiencing your vacation to its fullest, is the key to assured achievements and fiscal obligation. Your pocketbook and family will thank you! The reasoning behind protecting money while touring is simple: Even if your personal budget is incredibly limited, you can still take a break and enjoy life! Simply put, life is just too short to never step out of the door or departing the homestead! Also keeping in mind that while traveling, whether on a funds or not, even the smallest of things can all add op to a large vacation or travel bill!..". Or call the Gulf County Tourism Development Council at (800) 482-GULF.
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