Locals will tell you the swimming here beats the main beach, and they are not wrong. St. Andrews State Park sits about ten minutes from the house and covers over 1,200 acres, with two very different beaches: a calm, kid-friendly shoreline on the Gulf side and the jetties, where the water turns a clear turquoise and you can spot fish, rays and the occasional dolphin without ever needing a boat. There are nature trails through the dunes and pine flatwoods if anyone wants to stretch their legs away from the sand, plus a fishing pier and a snack bar. It gets busy by mid-morning in summer, especially on weekends, so go early if you want a spot near the jetties and easy parking. There is a small entrance fee per carload, worth every bit of it. Pack snorkel gear if you have it. Bring water shoes for the jetty rocks, and plan on staying past lunch — most families end up losing a few hours here without meaning to.
