This year Kevin and I spent Christmas at the beach in Cape San Blas, Florida. Cape San Blas is quickly becoming one of our favorite hidden vacation spots. We spent an amazing week there a few summers ago, and when we were deciding where to spend Christmas this year, Cape San Blas was at the top of the list.
We love Cape San Blas so much. Cape San Blas is a hidden treasure on the Florida panhandle. The beach is pet-friendly so the entire family can enjoy the pristine white sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters.
Miley and Howie LOVE it! :)
Nicknamed “The Forgotten Coast,” the area is relatively unknown, so the beach is quiet and private. You can build bonfires on the beach, and since the coast is so uncrowded, the seashells are unbelievable. We regularly saw full sand dollars, starfish, and conch shells just washed up on the beach, undisturbed.
If you love quiet, private beaches with miles of seashells, soft white sand, and warm, crystal-clear water you’ll definitely want to put Cape San Blas on your bucket list. This is our second time to vacation at Cape San Blas, and it definitely won’t be the last.
Santa is worn out! :)
When Miley and Howie are done with the photo shoot. ;)
When Miley and Howie are done with the photo shoot, part 2. ;)
Our favorite thing to do at Cape San Blas is build a bonfire and watch the sunset over the water.
We’d hear only the sound of the waves crash against the shore.
The perfect way to end the day.
Miley and Howie love watching the sunset!
The sunsets at Cape San Blas are unreal.
I could not get over the vibrant pink skies!
Love this view.
We spent every evening out here, snuggling by the fire, Miley and Howie in our laps, watching the sky put on its own magical fireworks show.
Merry Christmas from Miley and Howie!!!
Here’s a fun video with all the highlights from our week at the beach. Watch Miley and Howie run on the beach, dive into the waves, help dig a hole for the beach bonfire, and then proceed to eat all the firewood. You can also see all the huge starfish we saw on the beach! It’s fun and short and has cute music.
Where to Stay
The best place to stay in Cape San Blas is The Cape Escape Vacation Rentals. They offer 13 rentals from direct beach front access to no more than 200 steps to the beach — something for every budget. We stayed in that middle unit with the yellow chairs on the bottom balcony.
The Cape Escape is the perfect family friendly option for spring break. So many of the panhandle beaches can be wild during spring break, it’s nice to have a family friendly option! Cape San Blas is quiet and secluded — there are no huge condominium complexes on the beach, so there’s nowhere for the crowds to come from. It’s mostly just single-family beach houses spread out up and down the beach. Most days we would only see a couple of people on the beach the entire day.
There are two pools — one beachfront and a second pool that’s heated 4 months of the year — tennis Courts, 3 fresh water fishing ponds, boat washing station, playground and boardwalks throughout. See what else this beachfront community has to offer!
Miley and Howie loved hanging out on the porch! It’s gated, so we could safely leave the sliding door open, letting in the cool beach breeze and letting Miley and Howie roam in and out.
The amenities at The Cape Escape cannot be beat!!! They come with everything from free Wi-Fi, covered garage, beach chairs, beach buckets, shovels, and toys, a cooler, spices for cooking (you can fish right on the beach!), pack & plays, high chairs — all the necessities so you don’t have to haul everything with you!
They even have extras for your pet! The Cape Escape Vacation Rentals come with dog towels and a food bowl. There are also pet stations provided throughout the neighbor to keep the beaches clean and make it easy for you!
Our condo was a 4-story, 3 bed, 3.5 bath beach front unit. It had a covered garage, and you come in on the ground floor to a foyer. Up one level is the living room, dining room, full kitchen, half bath, and a balcony with direct access to the beach. We could walk out the living room straight down the the beach.
On the 3rd floor are two guest bedrooms — each one has their own balcony and private bathroom.
Guest bedroom with huge beach-front balcony!
The second guest bedroom would be perfect for kiddos! It had it’s own private balcony with a view of the neighborhood and lake.
The 3rd floor also has a full washer and dryer — so convenient!
And finally on the top floor was the master bedroom and bath — the master also has it’s own private balcony to the beach! We loved standing out there watching the ocean every morning.
Here’s a link to the exact unit where we stayed.
For more options, check out out The Cape Escape Vacation Rentals. The have a great site with tons of info and pictures on each unit. Tell Wendy that Kevin and Amanda sent you!! :)
Also check out this post to see where we stayed last time at The Cape Escape.
Where to Eat
Since we had the convenience of a full kitchen, we ate a lot of meals right within the comfort of our own condo. But we did eat a few special meals out. Here were some of our favorites!
Provisions — Delicious seafood and decadent pasta!
Dying over this chocolate cake for dessert!!
Sunset Coastal Grill — Traditional seafood with a huge menu and a beautiful sunset view.
Triple Tails — Casual seafood restaurant with seafood platters, salads & sandwiches, indoor & outdoor seating. Loved the “Bang Bang” shrimp!
Cape Trading Post — The Cape Trading Post is a small grocery / convenience store with everything you need or may have forgotten for a beach vacation. Groceries for the condo? Check. Firestarter, shovels for beach bonfires? Check. S’mores fixings? Check.
Be sure to go one morning and check out the doughnut stand with hot, freshly made doughnuts! The fried croissants are fabulous!
Here are some of our favorite restaurants from last time.
And there are tons more restaurant recommendations here.
We mostly just relax on the beach, but there are tons of things to do in Cape San Blas like horseback riding on the beach, spas, fishing, sailing, snorkeling, golf and more.
Thanks so much for following along with us! Happy New Year, friends!! xoxo
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This looks fabulous! Which airport is closest?
Maybe Panama City? That’s the closest major airport I can think of :) We always drive though. :)
Hi Amanda – This looks so fabulous and we would love to bring our Westie. One question, do folks keep their dogs on leash and sort of to themselves? Our dog loves people and adventures, but doesn’t love being ambushed by other pups.
Hi Jess! Yes, people mostly keep to themselves and keep their dogs on leash when other dogs are around. :)
What a dream to have the beach to yourselves!!!
That looks like an absolute dream of a vacation. Will have to put it on my bucket list. Thanks Amanda for the great tips and photos. Love your doggies!