The Forgotten Coast is a name for this section along US-98 in the Panhandle in Florida. The local chambers of commerce got together in the early 1990s and came up with a name for their lonely stretch of north Florida gulf front towns and beaches. The coast extends from Mexico Beach on the west to Shell Point Beach and St. Marks on the east.
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Located in Franklin County and Northern Florida’s Big Bend region, the Forgotten Coast is appropriately named as it’s one of the last of preserved Gulf Coast beaches that haven’t been overdeveloped. What makes this area of The Panhandle so significant is that all of the communities, share 322 km (200 mi) of uncrowded, white sand beaches, welcoming RV parks, and little traffic and congestion, which combine to provide a relaxing and undisturbed destination vacation.
While cooler than other regions in Florida, snow or frigid temps are rarely experienced as are touristy theme parks, grandiose wildlife attractions, and beaches lined with high-rise condos. A drive along U.S. Route 98, which is known as the Big Bend Scenic Byway, will reveal ‘an entirely different Florida’ compared to the more commercial hot spots to the south.
What’s more, historical and natural attractions abound throughout The Forgotten Coast and regardless of which community you visit, chances are likely you’ll return to at least a few of them as each caters to a variety of activities and interests throughout the year. It is not nearly as crowded and busy as the beaches to the west toward Panama City and the rest of the Redneck Riviera. One of the reasons is that's is a long way south of Interstate 10 and miles west of Interstate 75.
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There are some small towns along the Forgotten Coast that should be remembered as neat places to chill out and enjoy some remaining Old Florida. The places have great beaches and seafood and a lot of history. Two of the more notable are:
Mexico Beach
Mexico Beach is a community directly on the Gulf of Mexico on US-98. Its nearest neighbors are Panama City to the west and Port St. Joe to the east. It's called ‘The Forgotten Coast’ but once you visit, chances are likely you won’t forget it, and it just may become part of your scheduled snowbird adventures throughout the winter.
Apalachicola
A large part of downtown Apalachicola is a historic district and among the stately Victorian and Antebellum homes are museums that depict the area’s history. An insightful attraction is the Raney House Museum, which was built in 1838 by David G.
If you haven’t yet been to the Forgotten Coast in Florida, you are missing out! Don’t miss your chance to see one of the most natural, untouched, and relaxed regions in the Sunshine State!
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