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If You Do One Thing
Drive to Apalachicola for fresh oysters. Thirty minutes east, this tiny waterfront town is the oyster capital of Florida. Sit at the bar at The Owl Cafe, order a dozen on the half shell, and understand why people build entire trips around this place.
Eats & Drinks
Coffee
The Joe
Specialty coffee on Reid Ave in Port St. Joe. Artisanal roasts, gourmet breakfast bagels, smoothies. Pet-friendly patio. The best morning stop before the beach.
An Anytime Breakfast Bagel and a cold brew.
Splurge
Provisions
The best dinner in Port St. Joe. Contemporary American with Gulf seafood, steaks, and handcrafted cocktails in an intimate setting. On Reid Ave, 15 minutes from the house. Closed Sundays.
The St. Joe Saute: spinach fettuccine with Gulf shrimp, scallops, artichokes, and mushrooms in sun-dried tomato herb beurre blanc, topped with goat cheese.
Worth the Drive
The Owl Cafe
Neighborhood restaurant in Apalachicola (30 min) that punches way above its weight. Fresh Gulf seafood, seasonal menu, craft brews at the Tap Room next door. 15 Ave D. This is the meal of the trip.
Fried oysters to start, then whatever the fresh catch is.
Casual Seafood
The Station Raw Bar
A retrofitted gas station in Apalachicola that shucks some of the best oysters on the Gulf. Raw, baked, and grilled. Casual, but the quality is anything but. Open Tuesday through Sunday.
James' Choice: a dozen sampler of three oyster styles.
Cocktails
The Haughty Heron
Upscale bar overlooking St. Joseph Bay Marina. Craft cocktails, curated wine list, premium cigars from a walk-in humidor. Live music, sunset views. This is where you go after the kids are asleep.
A craft cocktail on the patio at golden hour.
Brunch
The Franklin Cafe at The Gibson Inn
Elevated coastal brunch in a historic Apalachicola inn. Japanese, French, and Southern flavors. Weekend brunch with bottomless mimosas and locally sourced everything. Reservations recommended.
Gulf shrimp and a French 75.
Provisions: Cape Trading Post for specialty groceries and local goods. For a full stock-up, there's a Piggly Wiggly in Port St. Joe (15 min).
Best Evening Ritual
Sunset from your deck with a glass of wine. Cape San Blas is one of the only spots on the Florida Panhandle where you watch the sun set directly over the Gulf. No crowds, no noise. Just water and light.
Things to Do
Cape San Blas Beach
300 steps from your door. Pristine, uncrowded.
Kayaking St. Joseph Bay
Dolphins, sea turtles, crystal-clear water
Deep Sea Fishing
World-class inshore and offshore charters
St. Joseph Peninsula State Park
10 miles of undeveloped white sand
This is the quiet Florida. No high-rises, no crowds. Just Gulf water, white sand, and the sound of nothing.
Worth the Drive
Apalachicola. Thirty minutes east, this tiny waterfront town has exceptional oyster bars, boutique shopping, and local galleries. Continue 20 minutes to St. George Island for 9 miles of pristine, undeveloped beach. Make a day of it.
Traveling with Kids?
Cape San Blas is one of the best family beaches in the country. Here's why.
Kayak Eco-Tour
Guided tours through St. Joseph Bay. Spot dolphins, sea turtles, and stingrays in crystal-clear shallows. All ages welcome. Rentals available at local outfitters along Cape San Blas Road.
Sea Turtle Nesting Walks
Guided moonlit walks to watch Loggerhead turtles nest or hatchlings reach the Gulf. Most Monday and Wednesday nights, mid-June through mid-August, at St. Joseph Peninsula State Park.
Loggerhead Trail
Nearly nine-mile paved bike path spanning Cape San Blas with Gulf views and wildlife spotting. Flat, safe, and perfect for a family ride. Bike rentals available at Happy Ours.
Bay Scalloping (Aug 16 - Sept 24)
Shallow-water snorkeling in St. Joseph Bay to collect bay scallops. Totally family-friendly. Boat rentals and guides available at Presnell's Bayside Marina.
presnells.com
CSB Community & Arts Center
Local community center on Cape San Blas with activities, events, and family-friendly programming. Check the schedule during your stay.
More to Explore
Cape San Blas Lighthouse
A 130-year-old lighthouse dramatically relocated in 2014 to save it from erosion. Climb the spiral staircase for panoramic Gulf views. Worth it even if the weather is moody.
Downtown Port St. Joe
Reid Avenue has locally-owned boutiques, art galleries, antique shops, and sidewalk cafes. Anchored South Boutique and Bay Breeze Antiques are standouts. Quiet, charming, and unhurried.
Apalachicola Day Trip
A 30-minute drive to one of the most charming small towns in Florida. Fresh oysters, historic architecture, local galleries, and boutique shopping. Make a day of it.
Rainy Day?
The Gulf has its moments. Here's your plan.
Game Room Tournament
Ping pong, board games, and the outdoor covered game area. Rain doesn't stop the competition. Set up a bracket and let it play out all afternoon.
Movie Marathon
Seven TVs with streaming throughout the house. Pick a room, pick a genre, and settle in. The outdoor TV under the covered patio works great for rainy day movie sessions too.
Gulf Coast Cook-Off
Fully stocked kitchen. Grab fresh Gulf shrimp from Cape Trading Post and have a family cook-off. The house has everything you need to make a meal worth remembering.
Or just stay in. Enjoy gorgeous Gulf views, a good book, and nowhere to be. Some of the best days here are the ones you don't leave.
If You Want to Feel Like a Local
Skip the tourist beaches. Head to Salinas Park for the fishing pier where the locals gather. Then drive 30 minutes to Apalachicola, sit at the raw bar at The Station, and eat oysters that were harvested that morning. That's how people who live here spend their weekends.
Traveling with Your Dog?
Dogs are welcome at Latitude 30 with prior approval. Please message us before booking to confirm. Dogs only (no other pets), 40lb maximum, $200 per pet fee, and certain breeds are restricted by our insurer. Message us to confirm your dog is eligible. Once approved, your pup gets their own fenced dog run, a dog bed, water and food bowls, and 300 steps to one of the most dog-friendly beaches on the Gulf Coast.
Beach Know-How
🐾Pets on the beach: Beaches are pet-friendly with a leash law in effect. Pet waste must be bagged and disposed of in an outside receptacle.
🐢Turtle nesting season (May through October): No flashlights on the beach after sunset without a red light. Leave No Trace is strictly enforced all year round.
Best Photo Spot
Sunset from the boardwalk at Cape Palms Park. Elevated dune views, turquoise water, and a sunset that sets directly over the Gulf. Arrive an hour early. You'll want the time.
Upgrades & Experiences
Private Fishing Charter
World-class inshore and offshore fishing. Captain Dan Van Treese at Perfect Cast Charters has 20+ years on these waters. Tarpon, redfish, tripletail.
perfectcastcharters.com
Pontoon Boat Rental
Cruise St. Joseph Bay at your own pace. Bluetooth audio, fuel included, all safety gear provided. Dolphins, sandbars, and nobody telling you where to go.
Buena Vida Boats (850) 287-8034
Private Chef Experience
A chef comes to the house and prepares a multi-course dinner with locally sourced Gulf ingredients. You set the table. They handle everything else.
Book a Private Chef
Horseback Riding on the Beach
One of the few places in the U.S. where you ride directly on the beach at sunset. Broke-A-Toe Horseback Riding, operating since 1995. Reserve 2 weeks in advance.
brokeatoe.com (850) 899-7433
Your Stay
The need-to-knows so you can relax and enjoy every minute.
Getting Here
📍
Location
Cape San Blas, FL
Your door code is delivered through Happy Guest once you've completed the rental agreement, ID check, and security hold. The code goes live at 5 PM on check-in day. Just punch it into the Schlage smart lock and walk right in.
The driveway is huge with room for multiple vehicles, boats, and trailers. You won't have trouble finding a spot.
✈️Northwest Florida Beaches International (ECP): Closest airport, about 1.5 hrs. Panama City Beach area.
🚗A car is required. Cape San Blas is a remote barrier peninsula. Rideshare is very limited out here. Stock up on groceries in Port St. Joe (15 min) before heading down Cape San Blas Road. The drive in is worth it.
📌GPS note: Follow directions to 493 Secluded Dunes Dr, Port Saint Joe, FL 32456. Cell signal can be spotty toward the end of the cape, so download offline maps before you leave the highway.
The Ground Rules
Nothing crazy. Just a few things that keep the house in great shape for you and everyone after you.
👥Max 11 guests. All overnight guests need to be registered through the booking platform.
🎉No parties or excessive noise. Family gatherings? Absolutely. That's what this place is for. But it's a quiet, respectful neighborhood, so keep it chill.
🚭No smoking. Anywhere. Smoking is prohibited everywhere on the property, indoors and out. This is a hard rule.
🐾Dogs welcome. $200 per pet fee, 40 lb max, breed restrictions apply. Keep pups off furniture and clean up after them in the yard and on the beach.
💰Treat it like your own. Accidents happen. Just let us know. You're responsible for anything beyond normal wear and tear.
🔇Quiet hours: 10 PM to 7 AM. Sound carries in beach neighborhoods. Keep it low after 10 and be kind to the neighbors.
🦝Secure all trash with straps. Raccoons are very active out here and they will find a way in. Tie bags tight, strap down lids, and never leave food scraps outside overnight. Trash pickup is Monday, so please roll bins out Sunday night with straps secure.
Security note: Ring doorbell and driveway camera (exterior only) are active for property security. No interior cameras, ever.
How Everything Works
🏝️ The Bedrooms
All four bedrooms have king beds and private ensuite bathrooms, so no one is fighting over a shared bathroom. Bedroom 1 (Primary Suite) has double vanities, a soaking tub, and a walk-in shower. Each room has a Smart TV and two phone/watch chargers so you're powered up from day one. The upstairs bonus area adds a daybed plus a queen sleeper sofa with its own TV, great for kids or overflow guests.
🏊 Pool & Hot Tub
Private heated pool and hot tub, both just for you. A few things to keep them in great shape:
🥂No glass anywhere near the pool or hot tub. Plastic cups are your friend.
👶Kids under 14 need an adult present at the pool. Under 12? Skip the hot tub. Under 16? An adult needs to be right there.
🐾No pets on the pool deck. Shower up before jumping in.
🧴Quick rinse before hopping in the hot tub. Keeps the water clean for everyone.
🪣Please place the hot tub cover back on when not in use to retain heat and keep the water clean.
🚿 Outdoor Shower
Rinse off the sand and salt before heading inside. It's right by the pool area.
🌡 Climate Control
Ecobee smart thermostats throughout the house. Set to your comfort and let them do their thing. Sweet spots: 72-75°F in summer.
📺 TV & Streaming
Seven TVs throughout the house, all with streaming capability. Log in with your own Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, whatever you use. Just log out before you leave so the next crew doesn't binge your watchlist.
🎮 Game Room
Covered outdoor game area with ping pong and board games. It's a great hangout spot rain or shine. Just put everything back when you're done.
🪑 Outdoor Patio & TV
Covered outdoor patio with a TV and full outdoor dining area, perfect for watching the game while the kids are in the pool. Bluetooth stereo system available for music throughout the outdoor space. Plenty of seating for the whole group to eat outside.
🧺 Laundry
GE washer and dryer with a starter supply of detergent. For longer stays, you may want to grab more detergent at the Piggly Wiggly in Port St. Joe.
🍳 Kitchen
Fully loaded for group cooking: GE appliances throughout, full-size fridge with ice maker, oven, dishwasher, microwave, drip coffee maker, electric kettle, and all the cookware you'll need. Dinnerware for the full group including wine glasses, bowls, plates, and chopsticks. We stock a pantry starter kit with oil, salt, pepper, and spices so you can cook from day one. Rinse dishes before loading the dishwasher. It works way better that way.
🔥 BBQ Grill
Outdoor grill ready for you. Clean up after each use so it's ready for the next cookout.
🏖️ Beach Gear
We've got you covered: 12 beach chairs, beach toys, a cooler, a hammock, and a wagon to haul it all down. Everything's in the covered game room area. Just bring it back and rinse off the sand when you're done.
In Case of Emergency
Hopefully you'll never need this section, but just in case:
Emergency
Call 911
Then let us know right away through the booking app or text.
Your Hosts
Polaris Hospitality
Text or call. We're here for you.
Mon–Fri 8am–8pm · Sat–Sun 9am–6pm
Messages outside these hours will be answered first thing the next morning. For safety emergencies, call 911.
Safety Equipment
Smoke/CO detectors, fire extinguisher, first aid kit
Located throughout the house. Fire extinguisher is in the kitchen.
Heading Out
A few quick things before you hit the road. Our cleaning crew will love you for it:
- Beds can stay as-is. The cleaners have it covered.
- Trash bags tied and taken to the bins, lids strapped down (raccoons are relentless). Pickup is Monday, so roll bins out Sunday night.
- Dishes in the dishwasher. Hit start.
- Thermostat back to 78°F
- Pool and hot tub covers on and secure
- All doors and windows locked
- Log out of your streaming accounts on the TVs
- Lock up with the smart keypad (door auto-locks)
Make sure all doors and windows are locked before you leave. Need a late checkout? $50 for an extra hour (up to 11 AM) if available. Shoot us a message through the booking app.