Where's a good beach? (Page 2)

Tybee Island, GA

tiny sleepy barrier island with FANTASTIC restaurants.  everything is walking distance because the island is so small.  i wouldn't recommend biking there, though.  but running, yes!

My family and I go to the Gulf Shores Alabama region once a year.  Closest beaches to us and our youngest isn't a good traveler.  Some decent restaurants and the roads are fairly runner/cyclist friendly.  We stayed in Ft. Morgan last year and it was much quieter and secluded compared to the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach side we usually stay at. 

Swim in the AM, the jelly fish always show up in the afternoon in the fall.  Two years ago the stingrays were abundant in shallow water so watch out for them as well. 

Aransas, Mustang Island, Daytona, Naples, Orange Beach, Galveston.

I'm going to have a preference for the Gulf Coast area, simply for the east of getting there.

If I go for the TX region, any water-born critters I should be conscious of? I'd like to get to Naples, FL, or the surrounding region, so same question for there.

We have plenty of sharks, stingrays and jellies. The whole TX coast. They pretty much don't bother people, but it sucks when they do. We also have flesh-eating bacteria; generally not a problem unless you have open wounds.

I'm sorry, I gotta say I think Galveston is HORRIBLE.  The beaches there are just plain dirty.  I was not a fan of the town either, although to be fair when I last visited it was about a year after they got schwacked by Ike and it still looked like the hurricane just rolled through the day before.

My $0.02 will be Fort Walton Beach/Destin area.  I think those are among the most beautiful beaches in the country.  Pensacola and Panama City aren't bad either.

As for the Texas coast, I think Port Aransas/Mustang Island are better options than Galveston.

As others said, you can get some good riding in the hill country while you come through.  Just be ready for our famous Texas chip seal!

Orange Beach and Gulf Shores are pretty nice. We frequent Gulf Shores.   Fairhope (although not on the beach, can be nice on Mobile Bay).  There is the Grand Hotel or you can find a house to rent on the bay.  Would be good for cycling and running.  There are a couple of bike stores and running stores in fairhope which are good, so you could possibly find groups to hook up with there.

I would suggest Hwy 30A over Panama City though.   We stayed in a nice house, right out of Grayton Beach.  A bit secluded, right by the state park.  Or, you can choose to stay in Seaside, Water Color, Rosemary Beach, etc. which are small vacation communities.  Plenty of restaurants,  all up and down 30A.  Easy access to Panama City and Destin.  Also good for running and cycling.

If you head to 30A or Panama City, Dusty's Oyster Bar in Panama City is pretty good.  Reminds you of an old biker bar.  The Oysters were great.  A few other places to check out are Bud and Alleys in Seaside for sunset and The Red Bar in Grayton Beach to eat one night.