Embrace Authentic Travel:
Discovering the Charms of Cape San Blas
March 2024
In a world where vacations often revolve around simply lounging on the beach with a drink in hand, Cape San Blas stands out as an ideal destination for those seeking a more enriching and authentic travel experience. Touted as a hidden gem on Florida's Gulf Coast, Cape San Blas offers a unique blend of natural beauty, outdoor adventures, and opportunities for local immersion, making it perfect for travelers looking to go beyond the ordinary.
Embrace Nature's Beauty
One of the most compelling aspects of Cape San Blas is its untouched natural landscapes. Unlike more commercialized beach destinations, Cape San Blas boasts pristine, uncrowded beaches framed by towering dunes and crystal-clear waters. Here, travelers can immerse themselves in the tranquility of nature, whether it's through leisurely walks along the shoreline, bird watching in the nearby wildlife preserves, or simply unwinding amidst the serene surroundings.
Adventure Awaits
For those craving adventure, Cape San Blas offers plenty of outdoor activities that cater to all interests and skill levels. From kayaking and paddleboarding in the calm waters of St. Joseph Bay to hiking and biking along scenic trails in the T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, there's no shortage of ways to get active and explore the area's natural wonders. Thrill-seekers can elevate their vacation experience by embarking on bay fishing excursions or angling for the "big one" with seasoned guides like Joel from Cape Surfaris, conveniently on the beach right in front of their vacation home.
Immerse Yourself in Culture
Beyond its natural attractions, Cape San Blas also boasts a rich cultural heritage that invites travelers to delve deeper into the region's history and traditions. Visitors can uncover the area's past at historical sites like the Cape San Blas Lighthouse or engage with local artisans and craftsmen at quaint shops and galleries scattered throughout the area. The Salt Air Farmer Market, held each Saturday in Port St. Joe, is the perfect spot to stock up on provisions for the week and pick up a special souvenir from the trip. Additionally, the vibrant culinary scene showcases the flavors of the Gulf Coast, with fresh seafood and unique local cuisine taking center stage at restaurants and eateries like Indian Pass Raw Bar, Skully's Low Country Boil, and This is Garden Food.
Stay with Us
When it comes to accommodations, guests should look no further than Beach Camp, Good Fortune, and Sweet Necessity. These family-friendly vacation rental homes on Cape San Blas offer the perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and charm. With spacious layouts and ample amenities, including fully equipped kitchens, private pools, and breathtaking views of the Gulf, these homes provide a welcoming retreat for travelers of all ages. Plus, their prime locations near the beach and other adventures make them the ideal home base for exploring all that Cape San Blas and Gulf County have to offer.
Personalized Attention
In addition to the allure of Cape San Blas, travelers can also count on personalized attention and expertise from Carrie Shevlin, the owner of Cape San Blas Get Away. With a passion for creating memorable vacation experiences, Carrie is dedicated to ensuring that every guest's stay exceeds expectations. Whether you're seeking insider tips on the best local adventures or assistance with planning your itinerary, Carrie is here to help. Feel free to reach out to her directly with any questions or special requests, and rest assured that your journey to Cape San Blas will be nothing short of extraordinary.
Start Planning Your Adventure
Ultimately, what sets Cape San Blas apart as an ideal destination for experiential travel is its ability to offer a truly immersive and authentic experience. Whether you're seeking relaxation, adventure, or cultural enrichment, Cape San Blas invites you to step off the beaten path and embrace all that this hidden paradise has to offer. Start planning your dream getaway today and let Carrie help turn your vacation dreams into reality.
~ Carrie
carrie@capesanblasgetaway.com
404-668-0122
Save Money on Your Next Vacation:
Book Directly with an Owner
Originally written September 2017
Revised March 2024
From the beginning of this adventure, VRBO/Homeaway was my primary method of connecting with families looking for a vacation rental home on Cape San Blas. It was an easy-to-use website for travelers and owners, enabling us to connect and communicate easily and efficiently. In early 2017, however, as Good Fortune continued to be filled with guests, and building was going smoothly at Beach Camp, things started to change at VRBO/HomeAway.
Slowly VRBO/HomeAway (now owned by Expedia) started to shift their business model from that of a “listing” site to a “booking” site. This shift included
- The introduction of up to 15% booking fees to be paid by the traveler for use of the website to book a home,
- A strong push, and soon a requirement, for owners and travelers to “instant book” without any conversation before doing so,
- The elimination of available traveler and owner contact information before booking thus reducing communication, and
- Outsourced processing of all rental deposits, payments, and fees to a third party vendor (four parties...guest, owner, VRBO/HomeAway, and payment processing vendor... are now involved in the rental process creating a barrier between guest and homeowner.
My North Star for the past 9 years has been providing my guests with quality homes and excellent customer service. Unfortunately, because of the changes in VRBO/HomeAway, it has become increasingly more difficult to do this using these platforms. The new VRBO/Homeaway business model does not align with how I wish to welcome guests into my homes. So, this means that I have had to make some changes in how I connect with guests as I move towards removing my homes from the VRBO/Homeaway booking site. These changes include the creation of a website, an Instagram account, and a combined Facebook page for all three hones.
What this means for you is that booking directly with an owner will save you money and potential frustration. For example, at Good Fortune and Sweet Necessity, VRBO/Homeaway will add a service fee of approximately $1,000.00 to the rental price of the home. Booking directly with me, or any other vacation property owner, will eliminate the additional fees and frustration of working through a third-party payment vendor.
If you enjoy interacting with owners directly and being in control of your vacation, please seek out owners personally through Facebook, Google, and home-specific websites when planning your next vacation. So many owners, like myself, have spent countless hours developing websites to personally collaborate with their guests before, during, and after a vacation.
So, what is next for Beach Camp, Good Fortune, and Sweet Necessity? All Cape San Blas Get Away homes will remain on VRBO/HomeAway as a means of having one more "hook in the water" through which guests can find my homes. Ideally, guests will use VRBO/HomeAway to find homes and then seek out my website. I hope that repeat guests, capesanblasgetaway.com, Facebook, Instagram, and referrals will enable me to discontinue using the VRBO/Homeaway booking site at some point in the future.
Wow! It’s been a crazy ride since we first welcomed guests to our first Good Fortune in May 2015, Beach Camp in June 2017, Sweet Necessity in 2020, and our second Good Fortune in 2022 (we sold the original Good Fortune and gifted that same name to our newest Gulf-front home). We have had the pleasure of hosting hundreds of families, 2 engagements, 1 wedding, and several birthday and anniversary celebrations during this time. Thanks so much for choosing Beach Camp, Good Fortune, and Sweet Necessity as your vacation destination and I look forward to continuing to welcome you and your family into our homes.
~ Carrie
carrie@capesanblasgetaway.com
404-668-0122