Schooners calls itself the Last Local Beach Club, and along most of this stretch of coast, it has earned the claim. It has been sitting right on the sand since the 1980s, with an open-air deck that puts you closer to the water than almost anywhere else with a full bar. Live music runs most evenings, leaning classic rock and beach tunes rather than anything too loud for a family crowd to enjoy on the fringes. It is about a 10 minute drive from the house, and worth timing for sunset. Order a drink, grab a table near the rail, and watch the Gulf change color. Food is solid bar fare, mostly seafood and burgers, better than it needs to be for a place this focused on the view. It gets loud and crowded on weekend nights, especially in summer, so if the goal is conversation more than atmosphere, go on the earlier side. Parking is limited right at the venue, but there are lots nearby. A good one for the adults in the group after the kids are worn out from the pool.
