Time To Hit the Beach

Southern Living, Apr 2005

You pack the flip-flops; we've done the planning. Our ultimate guide covers the South from the Atlantic to the Gulf.

The beach just may be the perfect Southern vacation. Best of all-you don't have to spend a fortune to go there. Here we offer a wide variety of spectacular coastal vacations that won't break your budget but will provide an unforgettable escape.

To select our spots, we polled readers, each coastal state tourism director, and the Southern Living staff. Once we tallied those entries, we sent teams of writers and photographers to explore the lodging, dining, shopping, and attractions. We visited more than 125 hotels, ate in hundreds of restaurants, and observed every sunrise and sunset along the way. We left no seashell unturned.

We've posted the details on our findings at southernliving.com/features. If, after reading our discoveries, you feel we missed your favorites, send us your picks by completing the survey at our Web site.

Fernandina Beach, Florida: A Beach and Town in Lovely Harmony

White sand dollars lie like summer snowflakes on the strand. A crisp wind ruffles a temporarily forgotten red blanket and floppy straw hat, cooling the heat from the citrus-orange Florida sun and energizing families to swim.

On one side of Fernandina, life's a beach, moving gently to the clockwork of tides, sun, and moon. On the other, the village (seated 25 miles from Jacksonville) moves to a different rhythm of hospitality and entertainment.

Fletcher Avenue leads guests along the seaside sanctuary that blossoms with bistros and shops. The Surf, a patio eatery, offers fried shrimp and bubbly Dom Perignon on the same menu. Fancier dining digs reside in town at Joe's 2nd Street Bistro where they make delicious, succulent crab cakes.

To appease your appetite for lodging, splurge on an oceanfront room at the Elizabeth Pointe Lodge. The 1890 Nantucket-style bed-and-breakfast inn boasts 25 spacious rooms that make falling in love with an Atlantic view dreamy.

A tide of treasures unfolds in the small town, where stores decked out in Easter-egg colors encompass everything from sushi stops to pottery shops. Near day's end, make the trek to Fort Clinch State Park, home of one of the longest fishing piers on the East Coast and a wide, wild waterfront-ideal for beachcombing. Sportsmen and water lovers alike flock to the strip, fishing for both mackerel and summery good times.

FARRAH AUSTIN AND ANNETTE THOMPSON

Sanibel and Captiva Islands, Florida: Tropical Paradise and Perfect Sand

When you cross the bridge over San Carlos Pass to Sanibel and Captiva Islands, it hits you: This is a place where life moves slower. The road narrows to two lanes, and the bumper-to-bumper traffic gives way to bicyclists.

Seventeen miles long, these ecofriendly twin islands evoke a tropical paradise-without the passport requirement. All the beaches are world-class, but secluded Bowman Beach rates as our favorite. The $2-per-hour parking fee pays off with unbeatable shelling and a clean picnic area for a great day on the water.

On the eastern side of the islands, mangrove swamps provide a home for a host of creatures, from alligators to ibis. The J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel offers a 4-mile trail you can stroll, drive, or bike. Get out on foot, and explore one of the best birding areas in the country.

A vacation here isn't limited to peace and quiet. Several outfitters cater to the active crowd, including Yolo Watersports, where you can rent personal watercraft, motor scooters, or bikes. If you're feeling a little on the brave side, sign up for parasailing.

Yolo lies just down the road from the Captiva Island Inn, one of our favorite places to stay. The small cottages aren't fancy, but you can't beat the location-nestled beneath palm trees and only a few steps from the beach and several patio-dining spots. Grab a cold drink and some shrimp at Keylime Bistro, and enjoy the live island music. Or try Trader's, a combination interiors shop and cafe that serves excellent seafood.

It's easy to customize a trip to Sanibel and Captiva, where you can spend a little or a lot. Whether you rent one of the many opulent vacation homes or bunk down at a modest condo or hotel, the effect of the islands will be the same: You'll feel like you've found your own private paradise.

TANNER LATHAM AND WARNER MCGOWIN

Ocracoke, North Carolina: Wonderfully Lost in Time

The gem of North Carolina's Outer Banks, Ocracoke remains quiet, natural, underdeveloped, and the perfect spot for a true getaway. You must catch one of three ferries to get to Ocracoke (Cedar Island, 1-800-856-0343; Swan Quarter, 1-800-773-1094; Ocracoke, 1-800-345-1665). Once on the island, most cell phone service croaks, time seems to shimmer, and life slows down. Even a short vacation seems like a week here.

You'll find a lodging choice to fit your family and budget-from historic bed-and-breakfasts to spacious hotels and rental homes. Suites at The Island Inn Villas sport two bedrooms and a full kitchen. The island is packed with fabulous shopping such as the Village Diva Boutique, a charming store that stocks women's accessories and inventive gifts. Take our advice, and splurge for a world-class dinner at the Back Porch Restaurant, where a five-star staff will serve you an incredible meal in a romantic setting.