St. Andrews State Park, Panama City, Florida

5/19-5/20 We left Grayton Beach State Park and headed south on route 30A not knowing that just a bike ride away from the park was the cutest town that I have ever seen, Seaside, FL. This town was a planned village designed so all the cottages and homes were in biking and walking distance to the restaurants, stores and beaches. Bike trails go along the main road and the village is considered a walking and biking town. I wanted to buy a house right away when we saw it and later in the day went on the computer and found some houses on a short sale for 4,3,2,1 million. So my dream place just went out the window – the housing crisis in Florida doesn’t touch this section of the Panhandle. The drive along the coast was very nice with bike trails on the west part of the road and many very expensive condo areas. Drove through Panama City and it is big with high rise hotels, condos, restaurants, markets and beaches. This place must be a mad house for the spring breakers. It took us over an hour to drive through without much traffic so it must take hours when all the college kids are here.
Arrived at St. Andrews State Park in the early afternoon and we hiked, biked and went to the beaches. One can snorkel at the beach so we plan on doing that on Friday.

St. Andrews State Park, Panama City, Florida Water, electricity, 175 sites , $28 plus tax.
This state park is in the southern section of Panama City right along the coast. The 175 sites are located right on the Big Lagoon. Our site was shaded with a hard sand bottom. If you have a boat one could dock it right off the site. There is swimming available in the Lagoon and at the beaches along the gulf. Beautiful state park with a nice reception area which has interpretative displays as well as a little video about the park itself. The campground has a Florida feel to it with tall pines, palm trees, birds, sand, boat and fishing docks, and bugs. Check in was quick and easy and the girl that checked us in was very nice. The campground is located within easy drive of all the Panama City attractions, beaches, restaurants, hotels and fish markets. Along the jetties at the beach one can snorkel and enjoy the colorful fish. Since this beach is along the Panhandle the water has a Caribbean blue to it and that white, cool quartz sand. One can ride their bikes in the park and stop by the Buttonwood Marsh and Gator Lake overlooks where you can find alligators and lots of Heron and Egrets in the bushes. They are so pretty to watch. We enjoyed our stay at this park and will return!