James & Amanda Lewis: The Forgotten Coast with Team Chaos

Florida’s Forgotten Coast is one of the last quiet stretches of shoreline in the South. St. George Island and Cape San Blas feel worlds away from the crowds of 30A, yet close enough for a simple road trip from Atlanta or the Southeast. For our blended family of eight, affectionately known as Team Chaos, this corner of Florida has become the place we return to again and again.

What follows is our honest, hard-earned, and family-tested guide to planning a trip that actually feels like a vacation. No frantic grocery runs. No scrambling for supplies. Just real rest in one of the most peaceful coastal regions in the South.

Why the Forgotten Coast Works for Families

If you love the beach but not the chaos that sometimes comes with it, St. George Island and Cape San Blas are a dream. There are no high-rises. No loud beach clubs. No packed parking lots. Just low-density beaches, calm water, spacious rental homes, and enough quiet that you can hear yourself think.

For us, it offers exactly what our family needs. Space. Simplicity. Slower days. And the ability to bring our four-legged family member with us.

What Makes the Forgotten Coast Different

You must prepare before you arrive

There is no Publix, no Walmart, and no full grocery store on either island. The Piggly Wiggly Express on St. George is a great resource for last-minute items, but not for stocking a weeklong rental. Bring your groceries, snacks, drinks, and essentials with you. Think of it as moving your own little market down to the beach.

The rental homes are spectacular

We almost exclusively book through Cape & Coast. Their properties are clean, spacious, beautifully maintained, and incredibly pet friendly. They offer everything from beachfront stunners to budget-friendly second-row and third-row homes. Their service is exceptional. If something breaks, they fix it. Fast.

You can bring your dog

This is a dog-loving region. St. George Island and Cape San Blas allow dogs on the beach as long as they are under control. That means leash, voice commands, or e-collar. Our boxer, Renny, is happiest running the shoreline and burying shells in the sand. If your pet is part of your family, this place will feel like home.

How We Pack for the Forgotten Coast

We travel with six kids, one dog, and two full-size SUVs. Efficiency is survival. Organization is sanity.

Here is our system, perfected after many trips:

Storage containers for everything

Amanda’s packing style deserves an award. Each category gets its own labeled, stackable container.

• Kitchen box: spices, oils, flour, sugar, foil, dish towels

• Medical kit: bandages, ice packs, sunscreen, Benadryl, Tylenol

• Cleaning kit: trash bags, pods, dishwasher soap, sponges

• Activity bags for the kids: stickers, travel games, coloring books, treats
  Everything stacks neatly in the car. Everything is easy to unload. Nothing gets forgotten.

A cooler strategy that works

We load all refrigerated items into large coolers. For long drives, we pack extra ice or ice blocks so nothing spoils. Bring more drinking water than you think you need because Florida tap water has a distinct sulfur smell.

A flexible menu plan

Instead of laminating a weekly menu, we now travel with a simple dry-erase board. It keeps expectations loose for the kids and allows us to pivot when we catch fresh fish or find something great at a local market.

The Road Trip: How We Make a Six-Hour Drive Fun

We try to limit the drive to one stop. Before we leave, everyone uses the restroom, everyone gets snacks, and everyone gets their activity bag. The kids stay entertained, we avoid meltdowns, and the adults stay sane.

Pro tip: leave early in the morning to avoid holiday traffic.

Where to Eat on St. George Island

Even if you bring groceries, you will want to get takeout. These are our go-to spots:

BJ’s Pizza and Subs

A crowd favorite with big portions and excellent beach pizza. The wait times can run long, so call early. If the phone rings busy, that means they have taken it off the hook because they are slammed. Order around 5 pm for a 6 pm pickup.

Mango Mike’s

While waiting for your BJ’s order, walk across the street to Mango Mike’s. It is an open-air pavilion with cold drinks, cornhole, big TVs, and plenty of space to unwind. Perfect for adults needing a few minutes of quiet before returning to the vacation battlefield.

The Blue Parrot

The only true beachfront restaurant on St. George. Great seafood, a wide-open beach for kids to run, and a tiki bar for adults. Come for the shrimp baskets, stay for the view.

Weber’s Little Donut Shop

A must-do. They sell out daily and the line begins well before opening. Bring cash. Arrive early. And be ready to walk away with the best donuts on the coast.

What to Do: Simple Days Done Well

Beach gear delivered to your door

Cape & Coast partners with Vacay Gear, which delivers beach chairs, umbrellas, carts, bikes, and more directly to your rental. They also pick everything up when you leave. Use your rental credit toward these items and save valuable packing space.

Book a beach bonfire

One of the most memorable experiences you can have is a sunset bonfire with Light Up Your Night Bonfires. They handle the permit, set up chairs and fire pits, bring water buckets and trash cans, and manage everything until the fire burns out. If you are traveling during peak season, book early. These dates fill fast.

Fish the surf

Both St. George and Cape San Blas are excellent surf-fishing destinations. Pompano, whiting, trout, and redfish often run close to shore. Bring gear or pick some up locally. Fresh-caught fish tacos always beat takeout.

Why We Keep Returning

Every time we visit, we leave more convinced that the Forgotten Coast is one of the South’s best-kept secrets. The beaches are uncrowded. The houses are spacious. The pace is slower. The nights are quieter. And for our family, it has become the place where we are truly present with each other.

We have already booked our next trip. That tells you everything you need to know.

Planning Your Trip

If you want to explore Florida’s Forgotten Coast, start with the basics:

• Book early through Cape & Coast

• Bring groceries from home

• Prepare for limited stores and restaurants

• Expect slower days and calmer nights

• Bring your dog

• Leave room for spontaneity

This coast rewards the traveler who plans well and then lets go.

Final Thought

Life moves fast. Intentional living is not about perfection. It is about the experiences that let you slow down long enough to breathe.

The Forgotten Coast has become that space for our family. We hope it becomes that for yours.