Destin, FL Rides
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 230
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From: Milton, FL
Wow, hot rides here in the summer. US 98 east-west (Bloody 98) is very busy, but scenic views of the gulf in some areas. East of Destin in Navarre there's a bridge over the inland waterway/sound to Navarre Beach, then you go east through the Gulf Islands National Seashore, no buildings, scenic 35 mph to Pensacola Beach. Keep going east to the end of Santa Rosa Island and you're at Ft Pickens, nice civil war Fort. The Naval Aviation Museum at NAS Pensacola is a great place to visit, Tuesday mornings you can even catch a Blue Angels practice show behind the museum, if it's not fogged out. Also north of Fort Walton Beach at Eglin AFB is the Air Force Armament Museum, they have a lot of display aircraft in and out of the building.
Further west of Pensacola the Gulf Beach Highway goes along the gulf, another scenic ride, a National park, and a lot of condos, 4 lane when you hit Alabama. Keep going west, then north at Gulf Shores, go west again to Fort Morgan, not quite scenic but at the Fort there's a ferry that goes across Mobile Bay to Dauphin Island, the one time we took it was in a cage, and we came back I-10 from Mobile. Not far from Dauphin Island is an old estate called Bellingrath Gardens, a neat place to visit, they host a nice car show every year.
Further west of Pensacola the Gulf Beach Highway goes along the gulf, another scenic ride, a National park, and a lot of condos, 4 lane when you hit Alabama. Keep going west, then north at Gulf Shores, go west again to Fort Morgan, not quite scenic but at the Fort there's a ferry that goes across Mobile Bay to Dauphin Island, the one time we took it was in a cage, and we came back I-10 from Mobile. Not far from Dauphin Island is an old estate called Bellingrath Gardens, a neat place to visit, they host a nice car show every year.
Last edited by 55chevy; Dec 19, 2011 at 06:38 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,759
Likes: 1
From: Breaux Bridge, LA
We vacation in Destin often, and like to attend the Thunder Beach rally in Panama City Beach. If you head west on U.S. 98, just east of Sandestin catch County 30A. That roads passes through some nice beachside towns with some amazing houses and town centers. The scenery isn't bad in general. 30A runs into U.S. 98 again just west of Panama City, and you can continue east if you wish on Front Beach Rd. and cruise the beach all the way through PCB, lots to look at. If you want a longer ride, say a half day or a little longer, go through Panama City following U.S. 98 through Tyndall air base all the way to Apalachicola.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,314
Likes: 376
From: Mississippi
I should have said we are just east of San Destin. I am familiar with the Navarre Beach area and part of the 30A area. Saw one ride listed on the net about going down to the Mexico Beach/Apalachicola area. May try that area as I definately do not want to go towards Destin. I was wondering if there were any good rides inland. Most of the roads I have been on inland are pretty straight and boring. Never been to that island out from Apalachicola, anything to see there?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 9,254
Likes: 283
From: Lake City, Florida (Native)
I should have said we are just east of San Destin. I am familiar with the Navarre Beach area and part of the 30A area. Saw one ride listed on the net about going down to the Mexico Beach/Apalachicola area. May try that area as I definately do not want to go towards Destin. I was wondering if there were any good rides inland. Most of the roads I have been on inland are pretty straight and boring. Never been to that island out from Apalachicola, anything to see there?
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,759
Likes: 1
From: Breaux Bridge, LA
You must be talking about St. George Island. We vacationed there in 2010. It's nothing like PCB or Destin. Mostly beach homes with no high-rise mega condo units. When we were there they were in the process of building a grocery store. I recommend going to St. George is you really want to get away from it all. If you have the time it might be worth the ride across the bridge to Eastpoint then over another bridge to the island.
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
From: Milton, FL
Yes, most roads are straight and boring, you have to go up to Alabama to find some twisties. AL 27 from Enterprise to Ozark AL, and beyond is a great, curvy ride. I'm assuming you have been across the Mid-Bay bridge and east on FL 2 to Freeport to the Outpost, scenic views of inland waterway. Take US 231 north to Defuniak Springs (straight/boring), continue north on FL 87 about 8 miles to County Road 185, a right with a sign to Geneva, Alabama, fun ride, it turns into AL Hwy 27 when you hit Alabama. After Geneva kind of straight and boring untill you get past Enterprise, then a fun, curvy ride to Ozark and 20 miles beyond that. Google some of the county roads in Florida, some fun ones around Blackwater River State Forest that I have been on, but hard to give directions.
Last edited by 55chevy; Dec 19, 2011 at 07:53 PM.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,314
Likes: 376
From: Mississippi
Thanks for all the suggestions. I am really wondering about the heat. I know I will have a wet ***, but I will get to see a lot of roads that I have never seen.
55, you mentioned Fort Morgan and Dauphine Island. I spent the week on the MS coast this year at Cruisin the Coast. One day I took off and rode to Dauphine Island. Always heard of the place but never been. If I had more time I would like to have caught the ferry, rode to FloraBama, got a beer and rode back. Also got to see Bayou Labatre.
55, you mentioned Fort Morgan and Dauphine Island. I spent the week on the MS coast this year at Cruisin the Coast. One day I took off and rode to Dauphine Island. Always heard of the place but never been. If I had more time I would like to have caught the ferry, rode to FloraBama, got a beer and rode back. Also got to see Bayou Labatre.
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