I'm starting to plan our first family vacation for next summer now that the kids are old enough to appreciate and participate a bit more (they'll be 8 and 6). My wife grew up going to Siesta Key and is dead set that the trip be to Florida and that it involve the beach. We'll rent an SUV and road trip it. Right now I'm thinking private beach front condo on Carillon Beach near Panama City, that way we don't have to deal with public parking and big crowds. Also need to be close enough to some other attractions for the kids - aquariums, zoo, mini golf, whatever, fun kid stuff. Anybody have better suggestions? Places to avoid? Experiences to share? Tips along the way?
Been to PCB often during the exact time you're talking about and with kids.
1 strongly recommend driving through the night if you can at all stomach it. Kids can't ***** when their sleeping and the traffic is 100x better
2 the place you mentioned is considerably north/west of any of your typical spring break partiers. We've never stayed that far up the beach but I've ran up there and it seemed really nice and chill actually. You might be in the middle of a bunch of retiree's actually which might be nice depending on what your looking for. We typically rented a condo in one of those high risers closer to the pier via Airbnb or similar site.
3 because you're that far west, you are a little bit of a drive from some things. Which isn't good or bad but you will want to know this as traffic/parking can be a pain in the ass. You ARE however near a freakin' amazing doughnut shop. (Donut Hole). You will want to go hear. You're welcome, it's probably a 5-10 minute drive at most
4 The restaurant sharky's is fun with kids, they get a frisbee with their kids meals. We still have some.
5 the water will be cold but you're wife's from Florida so I won't waste time tellin you about the beach.
6 Pier Park is like your uptown shopping area. You may want to keep you're wife the hell away from it or your trip will get more expensive
7 There is a really sweet looking state park (St. Andrews) that we've actually never done but I wanted to. They may have weird hours at the gate, one time I couldn't get in, you will want to confirm their open and it will be a decent drive from where you're staying.
8 You're probably 15ish minutes from a walmart which always feels good to know on a vacation. there's two of them and a target just to your west a little ways
9 OH!! There is a win dixie that is not far from you at all, this is the ticket for groceries if you don't need much. WAY less crowded and is a nice place (that walmart can get freakin nuts).
10 Nicks brooklyn pizza is good but I would argue Zollo's is better and I think it's cheaper.
DM and I can give you more info. I miss it down there.
