This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Gulf County Florida. All opinions are 100% mine.
Sandy beaches, clear blue waters, boating, hiking, beautiful sunsets… That unbeatable combination is why I love beach vacations! We’ve been researching all that Gulf County Florida has to offer and now I’m itching to go. Is there anything better than a beach vacation? How about a free one? Enter the #InGulf Instagram contest and you can win a 7 day adventure-packed vacation to Gulf County, FL!
So What Is There To Do In Gulf County?
The short answer is… a whole LOT! No matter what your adventure style (or speed), there really is something for everyone. Maybe your dream vacation involves a nice relaxing stroll along the beach with your family looking for shells, a quiet paddle around they bay, and watching the sunset from the sand. Or maybe you like a more adrenaline-pumping adventure? You can hit the area’s hiking trails, go snorkeling, ride a horse on the beach, or charter a boat for some deep sea fishing!
Trip Planning Help
There are so many options, that it can be hard to know where to start. This is where Gulf County’s Concierge Program is a huge help! Just fill out a quick form online about what you like to do, or give them a call at 888-482-GULF, and Gulf County’s guides will help you plan the perfect trip! For me, the hardest part of planning a vacation to a new area is finding pet-friendly lodging and activities. Usually, this means I sit at my computer day and night researching places to visit and things to do with the dogs. But not this time!I planned my perfect Gulf County getaway in less than 10 minutes thanks to their concierge service. I kid you not!
Our Perfect Gulf County Trip
What kind of places do we want to check out in Gulf County? Dog-friendly ones, obviously! I asked for recommendations for camping, hiking, dog-friendly beaches and boating, and restaurants with dog friendly patios. The guide I spoke with was SO helpful and had answers to every one of my questions. It was like talking to an old friend who was really familiar with the area. Here’s what our itinerary would look like, created in minutes thanks to the Concierge Program:
- Camping at TH Stone Memorial St Joseph Peninsula State Park – one of 3 dog friendly campgrounds that my guide recommended, and just a short walk from the beach.
- Paddling with the dogs – I usually bring by inflatable paddleboard on our beach trips, plus Happy Ours Kayak & Bike Outpost rents kayaks, paddleboards, bikes, and they even have a pet-friendly canoe for people who want to bring their dog(s)!
- Hiking the Bay View Nature Trail at St Joseph Peninsula State Park
- Dinner on a dog-friendly patio at one of the many local restaurants – My guide suggested several, like Dockside Seafood & Raw Bar, Provisions, Pepper’s Mexican Grill, and KrazyFish Grille. She also said that nearly all of the restaurants in Gulf County have a to-go menu, so we can order from anywhere and eat al fresco with the pups at one of the areas’s many parks.
- And of course, LOTS of beach time!! All county and public beach accesses in Gulf County are dog friendly, so there are a lot of options. The only beach that isn’t dog friendly is at the state park, which is to help protect the shorebird and turtle habitats.
Are You Ready to #InGulf in Adventure?
Entering to win a trip to Gulf County is easy! Whether you like to bike with your family, stroll the beach, or hike with your dog, show how you #InGulf in adventure by entering a photo in their Instagram contest. Just post your favorite adventure shot and tag @gulfcountyfl and #InGulf for a chance to win a 7 night trip. If you win, you’ll be saying at “Sol Mate,” a 5 bedroom vacation rental that sleeps 12, just steps from the emerald gulf waters of Cape San Blas. Also included in the prize is an hour and a half glass-bottom canoe/kayak tour around the bay, a $200 gift certificate for dinner at KrazyFish Grill, and a $100 gift card to Duren’s Piggly Wiggly for groceries and more!
I don’t know about you, but I’m READY to hit the sand and the sea!
Thanks for reading!
Debbie & The MUTTS
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19 Comments
That looks like a lot of fun, and I have been thinking I am overdue for a beach vacation
Doesn’t it? Nothing like a few days at the beach. Be sure to enter the instagram contest, maybe you’ll win a free beach getaway! 🙂
It’s great to know that an area has so much you can do with your dog before you get there!! I live at the beach and it’s so fun to see the dogs enjoy all the fun activities with their parents. Thanks for sharing!
Yes! Gulf County’s Concierge Service literally made this the easiest trip I have ever planned in my life. I usually spend so much time finding things to do and see, which is even harder when you want to bring your dog, as a lot of places don’t tell you in a very easy to find way whether or not they are dog friendly. The woman that I spoke with was SO knowledgeable. No matter what your vacation style, they can definitely help you plan an amazing trip to Gulf County!
That’s so fun that you live at the beach. I cannot even tell you how jealous that makes me! Hopefully we’ll make it to the beach at least a few times this year. Our dogs love it so much! Paws crossed! Thanks for reading
Gosh, I would love to visit Gulf County, Florida. How nice that they have so many dog friendly beaches and patios. Ruby’s been east, west, and all over the midwest, but never to Florida. We will definitely enter!
I was quite impressed with the assortment of dog-friendly destinations and activities. It was even nicer that I amassed all of this information with a quick phone call. 100x easier than any other trip I have planned. I bet Ruby would love Florida. Good luck to you in the contest!
What a lovely place. I have never been to Florida, but I have read about it is the Dixie Hemingway pet detective books. It sounds an amazing and interesting place to visit * sigh *. If the winner needs someone to carry their bags I might be up for the job 😉
We actually used to live in Florida. It is a magical place for sure. A bit too hot for my liking to live there in the summer, but I LOVE going back to visit. My husband and I still have a lot of family there and love making trips south. There are so many places we have yet to visit in the state, including Gulf County, which is now high up on our list! You should totally enter the contest!
Keep wanting to try paddle boarding with the wee pup … maybe this summer it will finally happen! LOL there will be no border crossing to the South for us for a while though …
Oooh, so exciting! My dogs LOVE paddle boarding. It’s more fun than kayaking because they can easily jump on and off (and so can I) to swim when it’s hot. I bet your pup will love it too. Next time you come South, hit us up, maybe we can take you on your first paddle! 🙂
What a gorgeous looking location in Florida! I have been to Florida a few times but never to Gulf County! It looks almost magical there!
I have never been either! I used to live in the Tampa area, but have never spent much time this far North. So much to see and do! Gulf County is definitely on our list of places to visit now! I know the dogs would love it too
This vacation sounds perfect for any nature lover with pups. In the past, my vacations to Florida have centered around college Spring Breaks, which we shall not speak of, and gallivanting around a certain Mouse’s World. My middle-aged self likes the look of this vacation much better. Quieter, more beautiful, quieter, more nature, quieter, yummier eats, and did I mention quieter?
HAHAHA! I used to live in a spring break destination in Florida. I am well aware of the shenanigans associated with that season in Florida. I’m with you though. I now definitely appreciate a slower paced vacation. Wandering on the beach, hiking a few trails, camping, enjoying the sea and the sunsets, and restaurants with a view. Ahh, sounds so much better, and you get to remember it too! lol
That water looks amazing! I love the Oregon Coast and it’s super dog-friendly but it’s not very warm even at the height of summer. The beach is one of Mr. N’s favorite places. Are dogs allowed off-leash on the beach?
I am so jealous of your Oregon Coast beaches. They are so beautiful and I love how dog friendly they are too. That’s not the case for the most part on this coast. I believe that all of the beaches in Gulf County have leash laws, as most places in Florida do. Some places in Florida have designated dog beaches where you can let your pup run wild and free, but I do not believe that Gulf County has one (not to my knowledge).
What a pretty spot! Bet the sunsets are spectacular. PURRS.
Gulf County looks like a beautiful place to take a relaxing vacation! I love that they have so many pet-friendly activities available. Dogs have got to love enjoying the beaches with their humans. 🙂 It would be fun to watch them play in the waves.
I’m not familiar with Florida so I don’t exactly know where this is, but it’s very beautiful. Florida has a lot more to offer than amusement parks but unfortunately people don’t realize that. Sandra and Dolly