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Florida’s usual summer hotspots have only a limited number of pickleball courts, parking lots and open sandy areas.
But finding paradise shores without being close enough to smell what your fellow beachgoers ate for breakfast is easier than you might think.
Believe it or not, according to local experts from Southern life, there are still hidden gems to discover in the Sunshine State.
Some are sandwiched between household names, while others can be quite a trek to reach but ultimately worth the adventure to find your inner Zen.
If, like us here at Travel Off Path, you prefer a quiet spot with a view of the sea, then these 4 getaways in Florida are perfect to escape the summer beach crowds.
Plant your flag in Flagler Beach
If you thought every part of Florida’s Atlantic side was taken up with beach chairs and seniors living out their golden years (hopefully not in a Speed), Flagler Beach is the antidote.
This little town is a little dirty in the best way. Without the glare, glare and well, I’m out of ‘Z’ words, so call me exhausted, This resort-free beach getaway is more about blending in with the locals than making corporate wallets richer.
Feeling much less manufactured than other Florida hot spots, you get cinnamon-colored sand, mom-and-pop restaurants, oceanfront views of A1A, and a classic pier that doesn’t feel too cheesy like a bad Italian restaurant (though it’s temporary Closed).
The waters are lively and invite you to surf or swim, and the beaches are more spacious than the household names that hordes of holidaymakers seek out every year.
It’s hard not to enjoy this ‘Old Florida’ charmer.
Lake Worth Beach is worth it
Sandwiched between the hustle and bustle of South Florida, Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Miami, lies Lake Worth Beach.
You may be thinking to yourself, “wait a minute – a lake on the coast?”, and that’s a fair question.
Located inland, the city features a picturesque lagoonbut we all know what the Floridians say: if there’s water, there’s an alligator lurking.
I don’t know about you, but I take my chances with stingrays and moody retirees on the coast.
Lake Worth is perhaps the region’s biggest hidden gem, as most people flock to the aforementioned trio, which carries much more weight in terms of travel.
As Southern Living puts it, “the sand itself is appealing enough,” adding that there is “a strong sense of place, and locals and visitors alike love the way it feels here.”
There is a unique hustle and bustle in the city with striking murals and quirky shops that you should definitely visit while you are here. but the real temptation is the coast in generalwith fewer crowds and the same beautiful coastlines that South Florida is known for.
Don’t pass up Pass-a-Grille
Let me guess: you just read that headline twice.
Yes, the strangely named Pass-a-Grille is a real place, located at the far end of the more notable St. Pete Beach.
The name may sound like something you’d say in Paul Wall’s jewelry store, but this card-point oasis isn’t just offers what feels like undiscovered beachesas well as locally owned boutiques, open-air markets and home-cooked restaurants.
This small town is one of Florida’s most authentic hideawaysespecially along the Gulf, which is chock full of award-winning vacation destinations like Clearwater and Siesta Key.
With no sky-high hotels and only cozy cottages for rent, this is one of the South’s ultimate hideaways to beat the crowds and enjoy an epic sunset without the unwanted soundtrack of oohs and ahhs or that one guy who always seems to have a Bluetooth speaker on.
Carrabelle: an off-grid wonder
As we wrap up today’s Florida tour, all that’s left is the Panhandle.
Home to popular destinations like Panama City and Destin, it also has a long coastline known as the Forgotten Coast that lives up to its name.
Even now that spring break is long gone, summer madness is upon us in those same beach towns, but not in the “forgotten” zone, with places like Mexico Beach and Port St. Joe.
One name you never seem to hear is Carrabelle, unknown to many, but just as beautiful as popular locations.
This quaint fishing village, with powdery sand and a tranquil Gulfside, has plenty of parking for all-day beach getaways, from the moment you grab your morning coffee and take a breezy stroll to the moment you plop down in your beach chair to watch a fiery evening sunset.
It is truly one of Florida’s quietest coastal towns for a relaxing vacation.
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