Most People have preconceived ideas of what Florida is all about; and a lot of the time, they are not accurate. When you hear “Florida” people usually think of South Florida, lot’s of old folks from the north, tourist, or these days they might think of South Beach. Well, north Florida is a different animal. On my most recent buyer trip, I began in the Jacksonville area and headed north up the Georgia and South Carolina coastline.

Okay, I’m a bit slanted in my opinion about (north) Florida, because that is where I grew up, and it is beautiful! It is the perfect combination of the beach meets the south meets the east coast. Big wide hard beaches that are great to run or bike on, with tons and tons of shells and sharks teeth. The surf is not bad either when a northeaster blows. Sand dunes right off the beach, and then a thick hammock of trees that have Spanish moss hanging from every limb. It’s tropical in a jungle sort of way, in some places, so much so, that this is the area that the first Tarzan movies were made.

Dotted with many barrier islands you can hop from Amelia to Cumberland and see the wild horses, to Jekyll where the millionaires of the U.S would come and meet in secret with the heads of state during the 30’s and 40’s, secretly making decisions that would affect all of us. Continue north and there is St. Simons and Sea Island, where not too long ago the G8 summit was held. You’ll come upon Savannah and Tybee Island; keep going north  and run into Hilton Head, Charleston, Folly Beach and Sullivan’s beach. You can stay in 5 star places like the Grey Field Inn or the Ritz, or hit a great family resort like the Amelia Island Plantation or Resort at Sea Pines. This is a golf and tennis paradise. If you are looking to just vacation with the family, your options are many. If you feel like sea kayaking and camping there are also great parks to enjoy.

There was plenty of shopping opportunities all along the way. Each of the islands that I mention, have either a single shopping village or many. Strewn with beach shops, souvenirs stores, swim and women’s boutiques, as well as surf shops, there is much to buy if you are in need (or not) of anything. It’s not too hot yet, but definitely beginning to heat up, the areas were not too crowded and it is still fairly easy to get very reasonable accommodations. So, if you are looking for a different kind of Florida, or want to explore the “beach” with a southern/east coast flair, check it out.