Saint George (Florida)
St. George is a small island connected by bridge to the mainland on Florida's Forgotten Coast. St. George has a tiny town surrounded by a sprinkling of vacation homes and a state park in the dunes.
St. George is a good escape from the rat race. If you like a Florida that is not "touristy" at all, you will love St. George.
Get in
By car
From US 98, go south on County Road 300 in Eastpoint. In about a mile you will reach the Bryant Patton Bridge. Enjoy the 4-mile drive to the island, which is reminiscent of the Seven Mile Bridge in the Florida Keys.
See
- Spectacular sunsets
- Pristine beaches
Do
There is good fishing on the bay side.
- 🌍 Cape St. George Light, 2 East Gulf Beach Drive (take the Bryant Patton Bridge (CR 300) south from US 98 in Eastpoint; the lighthouse can be seen as you approach the island), ☏ +1 850-927-7745. F-W noon-5PM, closed Th. Must be at least 40 in (1,000 mm) tall to climb the lighthouse. Built in 1852, the lighthouse collapsed from erosion at its foundation in 2005. The remains were salvaged and the lighthouse was reconstructed near the center of St. George Island. Wood from the historic Panama City Railroad Depot was used to build part of the internal staircase. The top is encased in glass, the only historic lighthouse in Florida with that feature. North you can see the Bryant Patton bridge snaking back to the mainland, east and west is St. George Island, and south is the Gulf of Mexico.
Once a month you can climb to the top of the Cape St. George Light to watch the sunset and the rise of the full moon. The Sunset/Full Moon Climb includes light hors d'oeuvres and a sparkling cider toast to the full moon. Cost is $15 for the general public and $10 for members of the St. George Lighthouse Association. After sunset, people are invited to climb to the top of the lighthouse for a breathtaking view of the full moon, as space and time permit. Cost is $10 for the general public and $5 for SGLA members. Because space is limited, reservations are recommended. $5. - 🌍 St. George Island State Park, 1900 E Gulf Beach Drive (after reaching St. George Island, drive east on Gulf Beach Drive; you will drive right into the park), ☏ +1 850 927-2111. 8AM to sunset. Ranked by Dr Beach as having one of the top ten beaches in America from 2011 to 2014. $6.
Eat
There are fewer than a half dozen places to eat (don't miss Finney's) but you are in driving distance of several eating spots off the island.
- Blue Parrot Oceanfront Café Blue Parrot Oceanfront Café, 68 West Gorrie Drive, St. George Island, ☏ +1 850-927-2987. Largest deck & the only tiki bar on the beach. Fresh seafood & steaks. Largest Po-Boy anywhere. Serving lunch & dinner
Sleep
- Vacassa, 140 West First Street St. George Island, toll-free: +1-877-272-8206. Offers a variety of spacious vacation homes.
There are a couple of hotels, but nearly all travelers rent a house. The locals, and there are not many, are very nice and accommodating.