Look, we get it — certain regions of Florida seem to have flags planted by retirees with a “get off my lawn, you whippersnapper” attitude.
And that can be seen as a key driver for the younger crowd of spring breakers and honeymooners eyeing flashier getaways in such places as Panama City.
But the gatekeeping is over.
Even if you catch a glimpse of undesirable wrinkles, the price is worth the admission for untouched white sand and a nostalgic small-town aura.
The Gulf is for everyone.
One largely unknown town makes for the perfect gateway to some of Florida’s most underrated coastline, where you can actually exhale and hear the waves without an unwanted soundtrack of spring break shenanigans.
It’s Time To Find Florida’s ‘Forgotten Coast’
As all eyes seem to be on a select few Florida beach towns, whether it’s Destin, Panama City, or any hotspot surrounding Tampa, there’s a reason a long stretch of the Gulf has been dubbed the ‘forgotten coast’.
We’d say you might recognize a name or two, but it really does seem forgotten, not that it’s ever been discovered by the masses.
The most notable town is Port St. Joe, recently touted by Southern Living as one of the most unsung winter escapes for sun and sand across the South.
But it’s not the town itself that’s a worthwhile getaway — switch the wording around and “gateway” is more suitable.
Port St. Joe anchors the Forgotten Coast’s treasure trove of spacious shores and tiny towns, making up what many would call real Florida — a far cry from Orlando’s human-sized rodents and Miami’s pizzazz.
Along the Panhandle, you’ll find dozens of hideaways far removed from any mainstream publicity, and that’s just how locals prefer it.
Don’t sleep on this sleepy town nor the ample crowd-free paradises a hop, skip, and jump away, though we at Travel Off Path highly recommend making your base here, as some beaches are so secluded, it’s almost suspicious how empty they are.
Here are 5 hidden gems to scope out on your next Florida vacay:
- Apalachicola
- Alligator Point
- Carrabelle
- St. George Island
- Eastpoint
Cape San Blas: Florida’s Most Serene Escape
While the Forgotten Coast is more than inviting for a road trip, there’s no easier destination to get to from Port St. Joe than Cape San Blas, yet another unheard-of beach destination.
We’re talking towering quintessential lighthouses, amplified crashing waves, exotic wildlife, and wide open sea to have practically all to yourself in this vast region of windswept beauty.
Cape San Blas boasts miles upon miles of gleaming white-sand beaches with minimal footprints and tourist clutter.
While there are no hotels here (hence our rec for staying in St. George), we hope you come hungry for the fresh ‘catch of the day’ — and rumor has it Indian Pass Raw Bar has the best, along with fun souvenirs.
The bottom line is Cape San Blas is one of numerous examples of Florida not quite being what you think it is based on either your own or others’ vacations in the past.
Florida’s Most Unique Hotel Nobody Talks About
If you’re tired of Disney World’s crowds and sensory overload, we believe it’s long overdue to reveal Florida’s most unique hotel that nobody seems to know.
Whether you’re old-school and go to Barnes & Noble to peruse guidebooks or prefer to ask ChatGPT, we highly doubt you’ll find this place either way.
Black’s Island is a map-dot island nestled along Florida’s quiet Gulf shoreline, welcoming to all ages.
This hotel is set on 7 acres of its own private island, only reachable by boat, making it even more fun to vacation here.
Once you arrive, there are no roads, no neighboring hotels, and no foot traffic — just tranquil Gulf waters, docks to fish from, and sprawling views in every direction.
Spot dolphins, swim without boat traffic, take a kayak out, or simply kick back and unplug away from the city noise in a waterfront bungalow at this ‘shelter from the frenzy of everyday life’.
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