Agree. In a few years might need something bigger but not yet. Excited about being at the Inn and seeing how the experience is. I think we will really like it more. We are not ones to cook, eat at home, etc which seems like a big thing for people who get the homes.

Pool renovations at the inn are completed and it's very nice
The additional pools next door at the beach club are great.
Wine World across 30A is a great choice for lunch dinner.
12-6 happy hour. Good food at reasonable prices.
Scratch Kitchen also across the street is a perfect for breakfast.
I try to be there most mornings when we are in WC for coffee with my golden doodles, Waylon and Willie.

Diet Cokehead said:

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Ag CPA said:

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Diet Cokehead said:

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AustinCountyAg said:

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are people allowed to drive golf carts from your house Shiner all the way to the beach and throughout town?

I'm getting information overload researching all this. Some towns, are towns, some allow golf carts, some dont. It driving me insane trying to figure out where to rent.

We have two young kids, and two older grandparents so we'd like to be relatively near beach, town, pools, store, etc. For sure don't wanna have to load up in vehicles to reach the beach.

WTF is the difference between seaside and watercolor?

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In my opinion, WaterColor is a little bit more exclusive and draws a little higher end clientele and amenities as compared to Seaside. However, downtown Seaside is maybe 1/4 mile from the Watercolor Beach Club on 30A and it's not like there is a lot of riff-raff in Seaside.

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I think you have this backwards.

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You said you haven't been there in 10 years. Don't know what it was like back then, but I definitely don't have it backwards now. Watercolor homes are much bigger, nicer and more expensive than the Truman Show type cottage type houses in Seaside. The Watercolor Beach Club, Boat House, and water park are al nicer than anything Seaside offers. Things have definitely changed a lot since we started going and if you haven't been there in a decade, you would be surprised.

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Houses are bigger and newer, but a lot of the Seaside houses have had reno, so not too shabby. The one we are renting is more expensive than most of Watercolor, plus we can walk to the beach in two minutes. Watercolor requires a long cart ride (if you are lucky enough to have a cart, plus you still have to all go at the same time)

Beaches are no comparison though - the more exclusive beach is Seaside. You have to have a wrist band and codes to get to it. The beach at Watercolor is chaos, way more people and if you are not lucky enough to be on the front row you will be surrounded by tons of people.

You have to have a wristband to get on the beach at Watercolor. Private beach.

I admit it is crowded though and if at all possible (ie book early enough) pay the premium for front row beach seats.

I can't imagine peak summer that seaside is not equally crowded. Maybe I will check it out this year and see when we walk around.

planoaggie123 said:

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You have to have a wristband to get on the beach at Watercolor. Private beach.

I admit it is crowded though and if at all possible (ie book early enough) pay the premium for front row beach seats.

I can't imagine peak summer that seaside is not equally crowded. Maybe I will check it out this year and see when we walk around.

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Watercolor beach is sharing with a big hotel, condos, and a much larger number of homes. The Seaside area is far less dense, thus not nearly as crowded.

Not arguing the crowds at Watercolor. We booked early and paid for chairs early to be sure we got front row.

I will swing by the Seaside beach one day and just check it out for comparison....for the next couple years while our kids are young Watercolor still may make the most sense for us (they love camp watercolor and the hotel pool) but as they get older if Seaside is less crowded that will be preferred....

Bump this to the top. We have been going to Siesta Key but are looking at 30A area. Any suggestions for places to stay for 2 adults and 2 younger kids. Prefer 2br but could accommodate with some I have seen with a bed and then bunk beds. Just out of my element on places to stay in this area. Thanks.

planoaggie123 said:

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We actually just booked our vacation for this summer. Watercolor.

We went 2 years ago with the in-laws and stayed in a house that was actually closer to the grocery store than the beach. It was a nice house and everyone got their own room but we honestly did not spend much time there.

This year no in-laws. Just me, wife and 2 kids.

We are going to "rough-it" and stay at Watercolor Resort...single room...2 queen beds...ocean view. We all agreed we wanted an ocean view + wanted to be closer to the beach vs having to drive there every time. Last time there we would come home from the beach then want to go back after a few hours of resting but never did b/c of the hassle. We went ahead and rented front-row beach setup (2 chars / umbrella) for every full day we are going to be there.

June vacation.

Excited.

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Eat at Fish out of Water. On the deck for a beach view.

planoaggie123 said:

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You have to have a wristband to get on the beach at Watercolor. Private beach.

I admit it is crowded though and if at all possible (ie book early enough) pay the premium for front row beach seats.

I can't imagine peak summer that seaside is not equally crowded. Maybe I will check it out this year and see when we walk around.

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The entire area is beautiful in the winter and not crowded at all. The downside is many restaurants are closed. I love the area for the beautiful beaches and clear water, but it is not particularly dog friendly so we have started going to Cape Sand Blas. We never go in the summer. Spring is the most beautiful and not crowded.

We did 10 days in Watersound in February of 2015. It was a very cold year and it rained almost the entire time. It was one of my most favorite trips! I realize not everyone would enjoy it , but the gulf was totally wild and different. There was snow on the ground almost entire trip back to Colleyville and it snowed a couple more times after we returned home.

Headed to Seaside this spring. Interested in doing some hiking and checking out one of the state parks.

Anybody have experience with Grayton Beach State Park and Deer Lake State Park?

Not sure of the parks
There are wilderness areas off 30A at Grayton for hiking and biking and another area off 395 between 98 and 30A

Traffic will be a nightmare on 30A
Bridge over Western Lake at Watercolor is done to one lane due to repairs
The eastern part of 30A at Deer Lake, the bridge is closed for repairs forcing a detour on 98 to head west.

I am headed to watercolor for the first time in early June. I expect it to be crowded on the beach and want to know the best way besides renting chairs everyday to get access? I seaside beach public and less crowded? Is there area to the north of watercolor beach that can be accessed if we walk a little?

Seaside is not public and is often crowded.

If you're in watercolor and want to hit a public beach your best bet is probably Grayton. Which is a cool little town worth visiting anyway, and it's close by.

barbacoa taco said:

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Seaside is not public and is often crowded.

If you're in watercolor and want to hit a public beach your best bet is probably Grayton. Which is a cool little town worth visiting anyway, and it's close by

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Friend just bought a place in Grayton and its a cool place. has more of an Old Florida vibe. Public beach access and quite a few restaurants and bars within walking distance.

Ok, so both seaside and watercolor require wristbands but different bands based on what area your home/rental is in correct? I guess what I'm asking is can I bring my own chairs, cooler, umbrella and set up shop in the area circled? We have 14 people in our group so renting chairs for 5 days is less than ideal and pricy. Thanks

Drip
Yes you can set up in the Grayton SP area but you will need your Watercolor wrist bands to get through the beach club to access the beach

After reading through this thread, still confused. So this is all mostly talking about Seaside? Someone mentioned Rosemary Beach is lame... why? Why not Destin area?

I just want a place with direct beach access, at least 1 bed room but prefer 2 (it will be 4 of us including 9 and 11 year old kids) preferably with at least shared pools, and near restaurants and activities that kids can do.

Rosemary isn't lame.

Destin has a **** ton of traffic. Clientele at 30a is going to be a bit more refined than the Destin crowd on average. Nothing wrong with Destin - lots to do there, lots of restaurants and bars. Just not as nice as 30a IMO. .

Rosemary is far from lame. it's really nice.

Thanks for replies.

Also, I am thinking about making a few stops in the south along the way. Remember that I have a 9 and 11 year old... any recs? Plantations? Air boat tour? Bourbon St safe for kids or anything else in New Orleans? Anything else in Mississippi or Alabama or Georgia? Wouldn't even mind a few hours of detours off the main route from Central Texas.

We are stopping in New Orleans for a night on the way. My kids are teenagers but figured it would be good for anyone to stretch legs, have a good meal and everyone regardless of age loves a beignet in the morning

Panama City Beach = Garland/Mesquite

Destin = Richardson/East Plano

30A = Frisco/Prosper with some Park Cities thrown in.

Matsui said:

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Bourbon street isn't for kids

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Sorry, I guess I didn't mean Bourbon St, meant French Quarter like Cafe De Monde, etc.

Maybe a plantation in Louisianna/Mississippi/Alabama?

Air boat tour?

Want to experience a deep south little town maybe? Interesting enough for kids though?

Also, not finding much VRBO/AirBnB in Seaside. See a bit in Seagrove. Is that close enough?

Want something near the beach to at least have an ocean view and be able to walk to the beach. I think...

Seagrove is fine.

ChipFTAC01 said:

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Seagrove is fine.

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Let me caution you on something.
They is a new issue involving beach access along 30A. Basically everything from Watercolor east has restricted beach access. Water sound and Rosemary don't apply. Beach front owners are blocking off the beach in front of their homes and not allowing anyone to sit on it or to walk across it. It's a serious problem but legal.
Public access areas for Seagrove and east are limited to only the very small area of the owned by the county. It's a major problem renters will experience when renting.
Watercolor and seaside have large beaches but only accessible to owners or guests of their developments.
I'm guessing the rental companies will not be advertising this to their renters but it will be a shock once you try to set up in the beach and a security guard makes you leave.
I'm an owner in Watercolor so I know exactly what's happening. Access to Grayton next to Watercolor is still available as long has you are staying in Watercolor.
Unfortunately a sad state of affairs but greed rules.

BoDog said:

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ChipFTAC01 said:

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Seagrove is fine.

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Friend sold his place in Watercolor last year and bought a bad ass older place on the lake in Grayton. He just got tired of having to deal with all the wrist bands for his family and guests.

Can't blame him!

So don't stay in Seagrove?

I would like to stay in Watercolor area but don't think I can do just 1 room hotel style room with 2 kids, 9 and 11. The 1 and 2 bedroom places are really expensive with no ocean views.

Is there anything else on/near the beach in watercolor or seaside area? Don't think i want to go all that way and spend that much money for a house or room that is not on the beach or doesn't have an ocean view...

Seagrove is great.

really hard to find an ocean view in Seaside or Watercolor. Rosemary does have that. And there are places in Grayton and Blue Mountain Beach that might have that as well.