It is now time for us to share one of our favorite spots with all of you or with one or two of you who actually come here to read this.
About 20 years ago some very good friends talked about St. George Island, Florida. We were intrigued and in the summer of 1998, we packed up our college-aged daughters and went to find out about this place for ourselves.
Well, we have been back to SGI no less than 20 times. We absolutely love it there. It is a little piece of heaven right here on earth.
SGI is an island located off the panhandle of Florida about an hour east of Panama City.
If you like hustle and bustle, high rise condos, big name hotels, and fast food restaurants, read no further! SGI is not the place for you!
If you like peaceful, almost deserted white sand beaches, local fresh catch of the day restaurants, miles of walkable beach, and the laid back life, then continue to read because this just might be your little piece of heaven, too.
We have visited the Island in January, February, April, May, June, July, August, and December. Our favorite time to go is in May or early June although anytime in summer is great. The winter months can be on the chilly side if you are winter snow birds looking for that hot weather, but SGI is still every bit as beautiful in any season.
It is a bit more crowded in the summer months, but still only crowded by their standards. We visited there last July 4 and we still found miles of beach without another soul in site.
As you can see from these photos, even on a holiday week, the beach is not crowded and very, very beautiful.
We have always driven down, but friends and relatives have flown down, if that is your travel preference. It takes about 18 hours to drive down. We have always done it in two days, going as far as northern Alabama the first day and then doing the last shorter leg the second day.
We have learned to stop at the IGA in Appalachiacola before crossing the bridge to the Island. We like to get all of our supplies there where it is a bit less expensive than on the Island. In recent years, a new market has opened up on the Island where they stock many items with reasonable prices so waiting till you get to the Island is a fine choice, too. We are creatures of habit and still stop at the IGA.
There are two parts to the Island.
One part of the Island is called the Plantation and it is a gated community with lots of rentals available. We have never stayed on the plantation, but we have many friends who have and enjoy it very much. We prefer the other part of the Island which includes the downtown area with all the eateries. We like to be able to walk to those places from our "home."
We have ridden our bikes on the plantation and we discovered that the sand is the same and the gulf is just as beautiful, so for us, we choose to stay in the ungated area, the East End.
There is also a beautiful state park at the East end of SGI. It is a must see when you are there.
There are actually campsites tucked way back in the park.
There are about eight places that you can pull off and walk to the beach. All the times that we have been to the state park, the beach has been deserted. It feels like we have the entire gulf to ourselves.
There is also a bike trail on the Island which will take you all the way from the plantation to the state park. You can rent bikes on the Island.
Golf carts have started to become more prevalent on the Island as of late. We are hoping to try that mode of transportation out sometime soon!
There are two parts to the Island.
One part of the Island is called the Plantation and it is a gated community with lots of rentals available. We have never stayed on the plantation, but we have many friends who have and enjoy it very much. We prefer the other part of the Island which includes the downtown area with all the eateries. We like to be able to walk to those places from our "home."
We have ridden our bikes on the plantation and we discovered that the sand is the same and the gulf is just as beautiful, so for us, we choose to stay in the ungated area, the East End.
There is also a beautiful state park at the East end of SGI. It is a must see when you are there.
There are actually campsites tucked way back in the park.
There are about eight places that you can pull off and walk to the beach. All the times that we have been to the state park, the beach has been deserted. It feels like we have the entire gulf to ourselves.
There is also a bike trail on the Island which will take you all the way from the plantation to the state park. You can rent bikes on the Island.
Golf carts have started to become more prevalent on the Island as of late. We are hoping to try that mode of transportation out sometime soon!
We rent our homes through a local real estate agency. There are a number of them and we have used them all with great success. All you need to do is book online. I usually like using Air B and B, Homeaway, or VRBO but have not tried it on the Island yet, maybe next time.
This last trip on July 4 of last year, we rented a condo in a small complex, as I said earlier, there are no high rises. This complex is two stories tall as is the other one on the Island. It was our first time in a condo and we enjoyed it. We had our daughter, son in law, and two granddaughters join us and it was just the right size.
Our beach right outside of the patio doors.
View from our balony
The master bedroom
The second bedroom, just perfect for our daughter's family
Our pool which we shared with the other condo residents, but it was usually about this crowded when we used it.
These photos are all from one trip but I could post photos from any of our many trips and the beach would look the same. All the houses have been beautiful, very clean, and comfy. In the last few years, we have been spoiled and always make sure the property has a pool. Certainly not a necessity but still so nice.
Our daughter Courtney even got married on SGI in May 2004. Family and many friends actually made the trip to be a part of the beach wedding. It was beautiful.
There are some wonderful restaurants on the Island so there really is no need to ever leave once you cross the 5 mile bridge.
Our favorite eatery is called the Blue Parrot which is right on the beach and has a outdoor bar and a patio with many tables. You really cannot beat the fresh grouper and the fresh shrimp. The drinks are also very good.
The residents on SGI are so friendly and helpful. It doesn't feel like we are tourists but rather that we are part of their community while we are there.
Here are a few more photos from our heaven on earth.
We hope if you ever need a get away like this, you will try our little Island.
Our daughter Courtney even got married on SGI in May 2004. Family and many friends actually made the trip to be a part of the beach wedding. It was beautiful.
There are some wonderful restaurants on the Island so there really is no need to ever leave once you cross the 5 mile bridge.
Our favorite eatery is called the Blue Parrot which is right on the beach and has a outdoor bar and a patio with many tables. You really cannot beat the fresh grouper and the fresh shrimp. The drinks are also very good.
The residents on SGI are so friendly and helpful. It doesn't feel like we are tourists but rather that we are part of their community while we are there.
Here are a few more photos from our heaven on earth.
We hope if you ever need a get away like this, you will try our little Island.
