Going to the Beach... (Atlanta, Hinesville: vacation, house, college)

[normie]

Just wondering if people frequently drive out to the beach for a day trip (or maybe a week's vacation). If so, which beaches? Does everyone head south to Destin, or east to Myrtle Beach... or another beach altogether? How long does the drive usually take, and do you ened to leave early in the morning to beat the traffic?

Here in VA, most people I know go to the Delaware or NC beaches at least once a year, even though it takes 3-4 hours to drive there. You have to leave by 6 a.m. to beat the traffic on the beltway and especially over the Chesapeake Bridge--after that the drive is pretty relaxing.

On the map, Atlanta looks like it would be about the same... but I'd rather hear from you guys than simply look at a map.

[sweettea1]

A day trip to the beach isn't usually something Atlantans do, simply because it's a 4-5 drive to the nearest beach area. Lakes are more typical of a day activity and there are lots of those within an hour of the city.
Destin is about 5 hours; Charleston 4.5; Myrtle Beach 4 or 4.5; Hilton Head 5; Jacksonville 5.5; Amelia 5; St. Simon's 5; so you see it's not something most people would want to do in a day.

[dncngrl1964]

we spend weekends at fort walton beach it takes us 6 hours to get there
my mom lives in PCB that takes 4.5 -5 hrs

[normie]

PCB? Is that Pensacola?

Maybe the question should be: If you DO go to the beach, which one do you choose? Florida Panhandle or Coastal GA?

[OhioNative]

PCB = Panama City Beach. We always go to Hilton Head (4.5 hours) or actually St. Pete Beach, even though it's a little far (theoretically 7 hours), because its usually just locals and British people, even during spring break.

[gt6974a]

I'd say most go to PCB or Destin. High School and College, PCB was the Spring Break destination, Destin is 30 minutes to the West and a little nicer, but PCB has been getting alot better.

You may hear some natives refer to PCB as the Red-Neck Riviera.

[GaBoy-n-Iraq]

Hey when I lived in Bainbridge Ga (southwest Ga) we used to go a little over 2 hours to Mexico beach fl or Panama City beach fl, Pretty frequent, they were the perfect beaches for spring break or to go party, but now that I’m married and have a son, PCB is not the spot I want to take my wife or two year old!! Mexico beach is ok for family! I’m currently stationed at fort Stewart in Hinesville Ga, right out side of savannah Ga and when we are not deployed (every other year) we go to Tybee Island or St. Simons Island almost every other week-end, or if we are sitting around the house bored, we will pick up and head to the beach, if weather permits. Tybee and St. Simons are about 45mins from my house. Hope this helped!

[dncngrl1964]

Originally Posted by normie

PCB? Is that Pensacola?

Maybe the question should be: If you DO go to the beach, which one do you choose? Florida Panhandle or Coastal GA?

Panama city beach

I have only been to ga coastal once it was ok I have been to daytona and flagler beaches several times again ok the water is grey
there is just something about the green in the gulf waters that gets me

[normie]

What about nice beaches at the local lakes?

[atlantamoi]

The extra hour it takes to drive to the Gulf coast of Florida (compared to Myrtle Beach) is totally worth it.