[AlwaysBeachin]

I live over in Mobile and my fiancee and I frequently drive over to this area because it's so gorgeous. (I also have family in Pensacola and the Gulf Breeze/Navarre area). Though we're not "really local" we're only 2 hours away and we prefer to eat at local type places away from the rowdy, obnoxious tourists with the bratty kids.

Also, we almost always stay at the Sandestin Hilton (and try to mostly go from Nov-Feb to avoid the crowds). We occasionally go during the spring and summer because we love the area so much. Like the locals, I am tired of the constant crowds and resorts overrun with rambunctious kids. We like peace and quiet and wouldn't mind mingling with the locals and have a place that feels like a second home and not Disney World. The staff at the hotel always send us to the touristy places though I tell them I do NOT want that.

We're looking into maybe staying in Seaside or one of the other South Walton communities next time as they aren't as bad. We do like all the amenities of the resorts though. We were over there this weekend, and it was crowded. After getting so angry and frustrated with the crowds, we decided to not to go the Village at Baytowne Wharf but head east to the smaller communities. We wound up eating at Pandora's in Grayton Beach. It was fabulous---a quiet, local place with NO rowdy families. We loved it!

It looks like the brunt of the tourists come from northern AL, MS, LA, and GA. We tried to avoid anything that had multiple SUVs with car-top carriers in the parking lot.

Also, we plan on getting married over there in November and are looking for a small, inexpensive, PEACEFUL place for a wedding and reception (50-75 people). We chose November because of the cooler weather and the quiet season there.

Any helpful ideas? I'd love to retire here one day but being only 27, that's a long time off. I'm thankful to be close enough to just be able to run over there any weekend I want.

[beachmouse]

I'm not certain what their rental fees are, but Eden State Gardens overlooking the Bay in the Point Washington area on the north side of US 98 is a lovely spot for a wedding if you don't have to be right on the beach.

[On-da-Beach]

That's a good suggestion. There are lots of weddings here in Rosemary Beach, but it can be really expensive. The closer to the Gulf, the more $$$$

[beachmouse]

For all that they're probably in the middle of raising fees to compensate for other budget cuts, the rates at state/local/national parks are probably going to be somewhat reasonable compared to private venues.

If they don't get leveled by another storm this summer, the soon to be rebuilt pavilions at the Opal Beach section of Gulf Islands NS west of Navarre could work out to be fairly affordable if you want an actual beachside wedding. It's not quite South Walton but the view there is amazing.