Some homes near the fancier neighborhoods try to get away with saying they are actually in those neighborhoods, especially in the initial search results. The golf cart rules are relaxed in Ocean Reef, and you may see some young drivers while you are out. When selecting a golf cart beach town, its important to consider factors such as cost of living, amenities, and access to activities. Heres a stab at what a few of the communities within the area are like for those planning a first trip. The closest airport is Panama City's Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP), 35 miles from Seaside in the 30A area. Alys is a secret hidden in plain sight. First, there are a few things you should know about this unique lifestyle. Go for one of the popular Friday gallery nights and browse local art, listen to live music, and dine at one of the eclectic eateries on the "Ave.". Strolling along the street, you will find golf carts visiting local businesses, and shops and parked at restaurants. When not writing, he tries to squeeze in a round of golf or escape to the mountains. 11 Beach Travel Essentials to Pack [For a Summer Vacation]- Minimalist Approach, Hidden Beach Marieta Islands- Find The [Surprising Beauty] of Mexicos Island Beach Playa. Although theres one golf cart community in Florida that makes this area famous, there are several other communities as well. Perhaps one of the quirkiest beach towns in Florida, Captiva Island is full of character. Bike rentals are also very fun and popular in the area. More travelers have heard of Destin and Panama City than the 30A area sprinkled between those two tourism juggernauts. LANSING, MI -- Nearly three years after the legislature authorized Michigan towns to allow golf carts on streets, dozens have embraced the use of golf carts on their local roads.. Holiday Inn Pensacola - University Area, an IHG Hotel. If you are looking to redeem a stash of Marriott points, there are several lovely Marriott home rentals sprinkled about the area. Golf carts and bicycles are the only transportation available, as vehicles are just not essential because of the size and development of the island. A haven for beachcombers and art lovers, you'll find more than 20 galleries and iconic public art pieces in downtown and in the Pineapple Grove Arts District, home to Artist Alley. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Flat 320,8 Esther Anne Place,London,N1 1UN, @Golfible.com 2023. Golf carts are easy to navigate the area with and reduce the need for excessive parking. Golf carts are so popular that, much like other communities, they are registered and given ID tags like the DMV would issue to cars. Golf carts make traveling easy around the island and getting to your favorite beach area for fishing or heading over to a course. Because of the design of St. Simons Island, golf carts can make parking a breeze and you can get to any shopping, dining, or other fun activity in just a few minutes on a golf cart. Golf cart rules vary greatly in the Palm Beaches, so check local ordinances, but low-speed golf carts are street legal in Delray Beach. Golf cart beach towns are a great way to enjoy the beach life without having to worry about traffic or parking. Discover everything about beaches all over the world with us! It starts at about $600 per night in the offseason and then goes to around three times that amount per night during the peak season. You can be a little further removed from the city traffic at this Bradenton neighborhood. Editors note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Terms and Conditions Apply. Additionally, there are a variety of rental services available, offering both daily and weekly rates. Mapcarta, the open map. Categories Travel, Activities, Beach Activities, Beach Travel, Golf, Towns. The cart must have efficient brakes, reliable steering, safe tires, rearview mirror and red reflectorized warning device on front and rear.. Related: Best Airbnb home rentals in Florida. If anyone on our team wouldnt recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldnt recommend it on The Points Guy either. Golf carts are usually limited to a maximum speed of 25 mph and must be registered with the local government. Plus, your own feed of TPG content. You can take your golf cart anywhere through the town, traveling just as you would in a vehicle but on reserved trails for safety. Panama City Beach, Florida is an ideal location for those looking to purchase a golf cart. Whats The Difference Between Club Car Precedent and DS? If you are OK visiting in the cooler winter months when high temperatures usually dont get out of the 60s or 70s, home rentals are a fraction of the price of the summer season. With affordable mobile homes available in this lesbian community, you can live on a budget. Although Dunedin doesnt allow golf carts on all roads, the city allows these vehicles on many roads. This beach town has more golf carts than other beach towns nearby and this has impacted the local traffic laws. It has bit more visible life and diversity mixed into the "Forrest Gump"-esque, tree-lined, cobblestone streets. Not everyone you see is visiting, as most of the locals living there will often be out in their own golf carts cruising the Island, especially when the party kicks off at night. The long stretches of white sandy beach offer plenty of scenic opportunities. With several areas offering rentals and services for golf carts, you can experience a hassle-free way of traveling around the area with friends and family. 1. Be prepared for an atmosphere that is laid back. Rates fall around $350 or more per night in the cooler offseason months. Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. There are charming restaurants and shops up and down the streets of Rosemary Beach. Bez is a municipality and village in Beclav District in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic. There are tons of golf carts in Key West, but they are all LSVs. There are a few residents who enjoy this seclusion year-round, but most of the folks you encounter will be visiting the area. Wed. 09:00 am - 06:00 pm. There are obviously drinks and music here, the food is solid too. With so much to do in the area, St. Pete is a great place for this type of lifestyle. Iconic white sand and turquoise Gulf of Mexico waters set St. Pete's beaches apart. The golf-cart lifestyle, like many other aspects of this community, is fully embraced by the children in young families just as much as their parents and the retirees living there. MHaralson Enterprises also participates in affiliate programs with Clickbank, ShareASale, and other sites. Youll see fancy four-story homes and smaller A-frame-style beach houses all on the same street. Related: How to book a home rental using points. The traffic laws are designed to include golf carts as equal to vehicles. However, there are a few places that welcome golf carts as a primary form of transportation. View Hotel. Before you decide to move into a golf cart community, ask the park manager about the rules. With so many great options available, choosing which one is right for you can be hard. A Retrospective of LGBTQ Life in South Florida, Must-Play Golf Courses, Clubs, and Resorts in Florida, Susan Risdon with Coldwell Bankers Realty, Brandon Jordan with ERA Distinctive Properties, The U.S. Open of Pickleball: How Two Women Shaped the Sports Future, A Comprehensive Guide to Orlando Transportation: Best Ways to Travel, Ecotourism Definition: Exploring the Wonders of Nature Responsibly, Hyatt Place Fort Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Port, Beal House Fort Walton Beach, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, Discovering the Rich History and Beauty of Atocha Coin Jewelry: A Treasure Trove of Unique Pieces, Breaking the Binary: Nonbinary and Genderfluid Jewelry Trends for Self-Expression, The Ultimate Guide To Kayaking Adventures Around Lake City, Discover The Beauty Of Nature By Camping In Lake City, Florida, Powertrain designed to go up to 20-25 mph. Located in the Northwest corner of the state, Cedar Key is a delightful little town that embraces beach life. If you make a purchase through them, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you (for which we are extremely grateful). Read all the details about the booking and double-check the location by communicating with the owner and/or property management company if you are in doubt. For over 50 years, this community has shown the country why golf cart communities in Florida are so unique. Leaf Rapids, N. Manitoba (Canada) A town that banned plastic bags and offered a free golf cart with the purchase of a new home. Whether you've been intrigued by 30A for a while or are hearing about it for the very first time, once you visit, you may join the legions of families who return for a full week year after year. Of course, as the regulars already know, youll probably come back after you visit once. There are private beaches located all around, which make for great day trips for families and golfing if you want to take advantage of golfing on the water. Although there are no special resolutions allowing golf carts in Wilton Manors, people still use them to drive around. You will find golf carts in shopping centers, local business parking lots, and restaurants for lunch and dinner. Rehoboth Beach, Delaware is a great destination for golf cart lovers. Golf cart parking is found throughout the beach town to accommodate those residing there year-round. Thinking of living in a South Florida golf cart community? This 55+ community in Ocala is central Floridas claim to fame when it comes to golf cart living. Regardless of how you book, a home rental is a great option for the area. However, this property is only about eight miles from Santa Rosa Beach. Fine Florida-kitschy institutions like Lazy Days Restaurant and Lorelei Restaurant & Cabana Bar offer a quadruple threat of killer water views, fruity cocktails, live music, and fish tacos. With its affordability, safety, and amenities, Clearwater Beach is one of the best golf cart beach towns in the United States. Shelling enthusiasts find an impressive assortment of treasured sea shells and sand dollars tucked between layers of pure white sand, while fishermen flock to the area for its prized tarpon fishing. The warm climate and beautiful beaches make it a perfect spot for cruising around town in a golf cart. Whether you've heard of it, the Souths secret beach playground is a place you'll absolutely want to learn more about. It's perhaps slightly more upscale than Santa Rosa Beach, but its still pretty approachable and extremely walkable. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. If you've ever seen The Truman Show, youve seen at least some of Seaside. Offer ends 5/3/23. Unfortunately, the original Red Bar burned down in 2019, but a new one opened in the same spot in the summer of 2020. Your vehicle needs seatbelts and lights for it to be street legal here. Im not here to knock Destin or Panama City, as they also offer beautiful white sugar sand and captivating blue-green water. With its variety of unique attractions, beautiful scenery, and great shopping and dining opportunities, its the perfect place to explore by golf cart. Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. Popular destinations include Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Clearwater Beach, Florida; and Ocean City, Maryland. Flanked by two picturesque beach parks and home to the historic Cape Florida Lighthouse, Key Biscayne is an island village with a sophisticated feel. A great place to visit this summer! You can rent a golf cart to which you use to get around the whole. There are also lots of golfing that brings in tourists to the island. Hot Springs Villages, Arkansas. Are you looking for the perfect beach town to explore with your golf cart? So were grateful that golf carts in Walton County are legal on any county-maintained road. All of the golf cart fun is not limited to the East Coast and Gulf beaches. Intended for military retirees and their family members, this 55+ community offers a relaxing life to those who served their country. Our original home was actually sold, and they moved us to a different home in the same area. You can ride your golf cart on the streets and enjoy a community that lives up to its name. Several resort communities in the town are golf cart-friendly, so you wont find it difficult to get rid of the car. Below are some of the most popular beach towns where you can ride your golf cart all around and beat the battle of parking. Regardless of which airport you choose, youll likely want to rent a car to explore the area at your own leisure. From golf cart maintenance tricks to the best golf cart accessories, our team has researched and tested for hundreds of hours. Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. Ragans Family Campground. You can get your golf cart rental conveniently at the resort just to travel for an evening to dinner or for the day. (4 Possible Reasons), How To Clean Golf Cart Batteries (Step-by-Step Guide). Several rental companies are available to accommodate your transportation needs in St. Augustine so visiting this city via golf cart can be an unforgettable experience! It's not technically on 30A. All year long, residents drive around the golf cart-friendly community. It didnt have a private pool like the Santa Rosa Beach house did the previous year. You cant go on a road without seeing at least a few golf carts riding around, and the scenery makes for a beautiful ride. In the evening, both locals and tourists are taking out their golf carts and enjoy the beach life with easy transportation from their vacation rental to downtown and back. Were always happy to add more. In the Keys, there are a few incredible golf cart communities that make you forget the fast-paced life everywhere else. For example, good luck finding an Alys Beach cottage on Airbnb you'll have to book directly. Coronado, California. And, of course, there's the beach: Honeymoon Island State Park touts four miles of unspoiled white shorelines and one of the last remaining virgin slash pine forests, plus it's a gateway to Caribbean-reminiscent Caladesi Island State Park. Its a great idea to reserve bikes and golf carts well in advance. Pensacola, Florida Panhandle. From quaint coastal towns to bustling cities, each of these destinations offers plenty of scenic views, easy access to the beach, and plenty of places to explore. That said, there are plenty of street legal golf carts available for purchase in the area. They should not be driven on major highways such as Highway 17 at any time. If you are hungry while in Alys, Georges at Alys Beach gets high marks for its lunch and dinner offerings. He is an avid golfer and tech enthusiast. There are rentals and dealers available around this town, so getting a golf cart is not difficult at all. However, you need to comply with certain rules and regulations, such as having a valid drivers license and registering your golf cart with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. There are also seven other loops with cabins. The best golf cart beach towns offer plenty of scenic views, easy access to the beach, and plenty of places to explore. The town offers multiple driving trails and designated parking areas on-site as well as within town limits. There are several other rules that apply, but those rules vary by county. Every area has its own fan base. This price is for one person Can only carry 5 guests a trip. Aside from a specific line-up of town names, heres the very important thing to know about 30A: Each community has its own very distinct personality. You can take your golf cart living to the extreme by living in the golf cart community in Florida that doesnt allow other vehicles. You may want to get into the area a day early and just rent a hotel room in a nearby city to avoid some of the airport, grocery store and other congestion as everyone else is arriving and departing simultaneously. However, it still flies under the radar for many tourists. Whether by design or coincidence, even the name's pronunciation will give away whether youve been there or not. Most people book homes in the area for a full week, from Saturday to Saturday. So, what are the best golf cart beach towns? If you want to drive a regular golf cart, you need to find a community that has golf cart-friendly rules. There is an island resort and golf carts are the preferred method of transportation going down to the beach and shopping. (Online) Stonewall National Museum, Archives, & Library, AIDS Healthcare Foundation Healthcare Center, Alewife Craft Beer Bottle Shop & Tasting Room, Arcade Monsters Lido Beach St Armands Circle, Berkshire Hathaway Florida Properties Group, Center for Spiritual Living Fort Lauderdale, Coral Gables Congregational United Church of Christ, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Orlando at SeaWorld, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Fernandina Beach Pride Parade &Festival at Central Park, First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Palm Beaches, Flora-Bama Lounge, Package and Oyster Bar, Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, Greater Ft. 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GolfCartReport.com, How To Start A Golf Cart Repair Business (Everything To Know), Top 10 Best Golf Cart Safety Grab Bars (Updated 2023) . There are many cities throughout the United States that welcome golf carts into the community as an acceptable form of transportation. The average cost of a golf cart in the United States is around $5,000, The average life expectancy of a golf cart is around 6-8 years, The average speed of a golf cart is around 15 mph, The average range of a golf cart is around 25-30 miles, Over 80% of golf cart beach towns require a permit to operate (. From west to east along road 30A, youll find: Dune Allen Beach, Santa Rosa Beach, Blue Mountain Beach, Grayton Beach, Watercolor, Seaside, Seagrove Beach, WaterSound Beach, Seacrest Beach, Alys Beach, Rosemary Beach and Inlet Beach. The golf cart laws are compliant with state and Brevard County golf cart laws. Laguna Woods Laguna Woods Golf Cart Community is located just 10 minutes from the Laguna Beach, California coastline. In Naples and Fort Myers, there are hundreds of small communities for residents 55 or older. Heres the link to the specific home rental we used, Beachside Betty. The Pickleball US Open, founded by, Orlando, a vibrant city in central Florida, is an alluring destination for millions of tourists worldwide, with its theme parks, entertainment, and dining experiences. I visited a two-bedroom cottage on Tupelo Street directly across from where Jim Carrey went around and around the gazebo. Related: Credit cards that give you more than $1,000 in value every year. Additionally, while you are double and triple-checking things, know that sometimes the neighborhood advertised by the home rental isn't always 100% accurate. This area also has a number of restaurants, food trucks, dedicated outdoor spaces and a stage for live music, yoga and more. With sunny beaches, lush green golf courses, and a variety of other attractions, it is easy to see why so many people come to the area each year with their carts. On a recent trip to Prominence, we booked a four-bedroom home via Panhandle Getaways for $700 per night all-in during early August. Those that live in Destin treat golf carts as a part of life. Downtown Dunedin is home to ample good eats, locally-owned shops, and an unexpected beer scene (there are seven breweries within a five minute walking radius). This is a laid-back, mostly golf cart-friendly, architecturally diverse part of 30A. 260 Reviews. Bobcats, birds, and snakes make frequent appearances. Additionally, community spirit is high in Peachtree and there are lots of communal activities for the taking. You dont even need a drivers license to operate one. Whether you are visiting the state or moving to Florida, golf cart communities in Florida are highly desirable. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. 1. Its not a big area. Those looking to have a laid-back lifestyle on the West Coast find Laguna Woods Village to be a great escape. It offers extensive coastline and sandy beach locations to explore, in addition to the many attractions available in the area such as amusement parks, historical sites, and family-friendly activities. Here are 11 of the best golf cart beach towns in the United States that offer plenty of scenic views, easy access to the beach, and plenty of places to explore. Golf cart living isnt for everyone, but its perfect for some individuals. The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a stacked card with a rewards rate that will help you earn bonus points on everyday and business-related purchases. Planning. The laid back southern charm of Peachtree City will make you feel as though you're on vacation everyday! Airstream trailers serve the role of food trucks here, and there are plenty of places to sit outside and enjoy your food. Dont expect to ride your golf cart unless you have it upgraded to be street legal. Its more than a golf cart community its a golf club community. Pickleball, a sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis, and table tennis, has gained significant popularity in recent years. Additionally, Destin Beach has a variety of activities that can be enjoyed while inside or outside of your golf cart. The island sparkles every year during the Captiva Luminary when residents light candles from one end of the island to the other, marking the launch of the holiday season. Located in North Fort Myers, Resort on Carefree Boulevard is an LGBTQ community for individuals 40 years of age and up. Visit during the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, when the historic district bustles with parades, live music, lots of shrimp, andyou guessed itpirates. Meanwhile, a gas cart is louder and faster. Plus, the roads are well-maintained and there are plenty of signs and traffic lights to help you navigate your way around. Smelser has covered the PGA Tour . 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping. Other criteria for choosing a great golf cart beach town include safety, affordability, and availability of amenities like restaurants and shops. Palmer House Properties Group can help you find your dream home in one of these Tampa and St Petersburg golf cart communities in Florida. While golf carts are permitted in specific areas, St. Petersburg would not be considered a golf cart community overall. You may benefit from having a golf cart (aka low-speed vehicle) rental if they are allowed in the 30A community you choose. Both towns are located in California and give a nice change of pace to those who are living there or residing. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. Every year, this 55+ community in West Melbourne has a golf cart parade. Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card.