Rosemary Beach (Pensacola, Sarasota, Panama City: spring break, rentals, condo)

[AntonioR]

I just became aware of this place on Instagram and it looks very different and beautiful. Can anyone explain what is it? A vacation spot or permanent residences? What is there to do? Any hotels in the area or airb&b?

I was never interested in the Panama City area, but this place could change that as I want to see it in person.

[AntonioR]

I found this Youtube video and it looks amazing!


https://youtu.be/ul5txXjpqxE?si=5j7z1Um7nGZ2L7sT

[beach43ofus]

It is amazing! First of all, the water there is Turqoise in color, and the sand is near-White & fluffy, & there are large sea oat covered sand dunes nearby...lots of natural beauty in that area. Pine forrest dominates the non-coastal areas.

That hotel in your picture is a very nice boutique hotel, but pricey. Nice open to the public restaurant on the ground floor and elevated pool area on the top floor is a nice feature for guests only to enjoy.

The village that surrounds the hotel is walkable, and comes alive each evening with families walking to dinner, ice cream, or to listen to live music on the lawn in front of the hotel, or in one of the establishments.

There's good kayaking in fresh water across the the road (known as 30A), & a long bike path that runs for miles. Fishing is very good offshore, & charters abound....mostly from Destin.

Hotels, vacation rentals, and all housing is very costly...$1,000/ppsqft is common to buy. Its a place for America's affluent to hit the beach each Spring & Summer. Spring break is very crowded with affluent families in their huge SUV's, & Summer is their big tourist season; unlike the rest of Florida. I saw Karl Rove at a bookstore there a few years ago.

There are less costly places nearby, but the strip of 4-5 villages along 30A are all expensive to visit or buy.

Panama City Beach is more affordable, & middle class America. We almost bought in Santa Rosa Beach in Wild Heron where there's an amazing Greg Normal designed golf course...but decided on Sarasota instead.

This area doesn't have a lot of public beach parking & restrooms. You need to rent a condo or home along the beach for optimal access. This area doesn't want the general public to use their beaches, they reserved them for the affluent who can afford to stay, rent, or buy there...its like a private country club village/beach.

If it matters to you, this area is not racially, or politically, diverse...think Karl Rove.

If you have 6-figure income, and 7-figure wealth, this area's a must see. Also Seaside, Water Color, Water Sound, Grayton Beach, Seacrest, and Alys beach near where Paris Hilton has a beachfront mansion.

Destin to the West is overbuilt and overcrowded imho....terrible traffic during Spring/Summer. Panama City Beach is a bit easier to move about, but it used to be the place for the rowdy drunken college crowd...they were trying to push that out last time I stayed there. Further West yet is Pensacola, a historic fishing village w/ lots of military presence all around...worth a day trip to see the historic old homes, Air Force museum, old lighthouse, & the most amazing seafood "shack" I've ever seen...bring a large cooler & a fistfull of Dollars to stock up.

Caution: all along this area, there are dangerous riptides/rip currents that can pull swimmers away from the shore...look for warning flags.

[AntonioR]

Thanks!

[AnsleyPark]

Antonio, you may also want to check out the area from Navarre Beach west to Gulf Shores, AL. Very pretty and more affordable than Rosemary. Just something to consider.

[Variable]

I drove through Rosemary Beach a few days ago. Looks to be very walkable. Very clean and manicured, almost too perfect and manicured. Lots of people casually strolling through the area - to cafes, stores, farmers market and just out for a walk.

Not far from Destin and Panama City for major shopping.

[clevergirl67]

The whole 30A are is very pretty. We have stayed in Santa Rosa Beach, Rosemary Beach, and Seagrove Beach over the years. The movie Truman was filmed in Seaside and that little town still exists.

There aren't very many places to shop or go out to eat, so we go to one of the two Publix in the area and buy stuff for our stay. We usually rent a condo on the beach and share with other couples to be more affordable. We all live within 5 hours, so we drive.

[logicalconsequence]

During Spring Break and Summer, which is prime time along 30A (including Rosemary Beach), restaurants are beyond capacity at normal dining times. Stock up on groceries before arriving to this area to avoid the sky high Publix grocery store prices. Bring coolers if you are driving to the area. Plan to cook at your rental, and eat in as much as possible.