Florida’s usual summer hotspots only have so many pickleball courts, parking spaces, and open patches of sand to go around.
But finding paradise shores without being close enough to smell what your fellow beachgoers had for breakfast is easier than you might think.
Believe it or not, according to local experts at Southern Living, there are still hidden gems to discover across the Sunshine State.
Some are sandwiched between household names, while others can be a trek to reach, but ultimately worth the adventure to find your inner Zen.
If you’re like the rest of us here at Travel Off Path, who prefer to find a quiet spot overlooking the sea, then these 4 Florida getaways are perfect for escaping the summer beach crowds.
Plant Your Flag in Flagler Beach
If you thought every swath of Florida’s Atlantic side was taken up with beach loungers and seniors living out their golden years (hopefully not in a Speedo), Flagler Beach is the antidote.
This small town is a little scruffy in the best way. Without the razzle, dazzle and well, I’m out of more “Z” words, so call me frazzled, this resort-less beach getaway is more about blending in like a local than making corporate pockets richer.
Feeling much less manufactured than other Florida hotspots, you get cinnamon-colored sand, mom ‘n pop restaurants, oceanfront A1A views, and a classic pier that doesn’t feel overly cheesy like a bad Italian restaurant (although, it’s temporarily closed).
The waters are vibrant, calling you to surf or swim, and the beaches are more spacious than the household names hordes of vacationers seek out each year.
It’s hard not to enjoy this “Old Florida” charmer.
Lake Worth Beach Is Worth Your While
Sandwiched between the bustle of South Florida staples of Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami lies Lake Worth Beach.
You might be thinking to yourself, “wait a minute — a lake on the coast?”, and that’s a valid question.
Lying inland, the town does boast a scenic lagoon, but we all know what Floridians say: if there’s a body of water, then there’s a gator lurking.
I don’t know about you, but I’ll take my chances with stingrays and grouchy retirees on the coast.
Lake Worth is arguably the region’s top hidden gem, as most flock to the aforementioned trio, carrying far more weight in the travel sphere.
As Southern Living puts it, “the sand itself is enough of a draw”, also adding there’s “a strong sense of place, and locals and visitors alike love the way it feels here”.
There’s a unique buzz across town with eye-catching murals and quirky shops you have to visit while here, but the real enticement is the coast in general, offering fewer crowds and the same gorgeous shores South Florida is renowned for.
Don’t Pass Up Pass-a-Grille
Let me guess — you just read that heading twice.
Yes, oddly-named Pass-a-Grille is a real place, located on the far end of more notable St. Pete Beach.
The name may sound like something you’d say at Paul Wall’s jewelry store, but this map-dot oasis not only offers what feels like undiscovered beaches, but locally-owned boutiques, outdoor markets, home-cookin’ restaurants as well.
This tiny town is one of Florida’s most authentic hideaways, especially along the Gulf, where it’s chock-full of award-winning vacation spots like Clearwater and Siesta Key, for example.
With no towering hotels and only cozy cottages to rent, this is one of the South’s ultimate hideouts to beat the crowds and take in an epic sunset without the unwanted soundtrack of ooh’s and ahh’s or that one guy who always seems to have a Bluetooth speaker on blast.
Carrabelle: An Off-Grid Wonder
Finishing today’s Florida tour, all that’s left is the Panhandle.
Home to popular stomping grounds like Panama City and Destin, there’s also a long stretch of coastline known as the Forgotten Coast that lives up to its name.
Even with Spring Break long over by now, summer madness is right around the corner for those same beach towns, but not in the ‘Forgotten’ zone, with such places like Mexico Beach and Port St. Joe.
One name you never seem to hear is Carrabelle, unknown to many but equally beautiful as popular locales.
Boasting powdery sand and a calm Gulfside, this quaint fishing village has ample parking for all-day beach outings from the time you grab your morning coffee and go for a breezy stroll to the time you plop down in your beach chair to watch a fiery evening sunset.
It’s truly one of Florida’s calmest coastal towns to for a relaxing vacation.
Now take this quiz to find your perfect match!
