Think of Florida’s pristine Panhandle as the Miami antidote: easygoing and navigable, with all the spectacular seafood and culture but few—if any—of the crowds. The Gulf of Mexico bathes the Panhandle’s outer islands year-round with warm currents, and on an east-west road trip through communities brimming with character, this enchanting shoreline remains your constant companion. But don’t let the lolling pace of Panhandle life fool you; there’s pulse-quickening sportfishing beyond the sandbars and world-class golf courses to challenge even the most skilled players.

So load the beach chairs, fill up the water bottles, pack the sunblock, don the wide-brimmed hat, and bring your thirst for under-the-radar adventure. The Panhandle is bound to surprise you.

Seaside Perfection

From Panama City, head northwest on Route 98 for roughly 25 miles before exiting onto East County Road 283 South, where you’ll be flanked by the coastal pines of Grayton Beach State Park. Check in at the nearby Hibiscus Guesthouse, then unload bicycles from the 2018 Ford Expedition’s expansive fold-flat cargo area and join the well-maintained bike path leading to Seaside, just two miles away.

The charming white picket fences and uniform New Plantation–style architecture of Seaside are best appreciated from the bike saddle. The perfectly groomed town is a favorite backdrop for movies and photo shoots. On the return trip, double back a few dozen feet on 283 for lunch at the Hurricane Oyster Bar, a local institution brimming with bric-a-brac. Its grilled, Parmesan-topped bivalves will taste nothing short of miraculous after your ride.

A Hidden Gem

Get in more local color just down the road in Grayton Beach, perhaps the best-kept secret of the Panhandle—if not all of Florida. From the Hibiscus it’s a 10-minute walk to town via Defuniak Street. And by “town,” Grayton Beach residents want you to think of pretty pastel bungalows peeking over dunes, sand-strewn streets peppered with art galleries, the freshwaters of Western Lake mingling with the Gulf, and a laid-back sportfishing scene like no other.

Dead Fish Charters will introduce you to one of the country’s richest habitats for migratory fish. Depending on the season, king mackerel, cobia, blackfin tuna, mahi mahi, and Florida mainstays such as grouper and snapper might tighten your line.

State Park Beauty

The next day, indulge in a fortifying plate of the Hibiscus Guesthouse’s Bananas Foster French toast—and grab something to go from the café, too. It’s time to load up the Expedition and motor west on County Highway 30A. Enter the 1,600-acre Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, where clear freshwater lakes, chalky-white beaches and dunes, and a network of sun-bleached boardwalks create one of the most beautiful outdoor settings in all the United States. Umbrellas up and chairs down for a few hours of prime relaxation; you’ll need rested legs before the next and final stop on this itinerary.

A Golfer’s Paradise

From Topsail Park it’s roughly 20 miles on Route 98 to Destin, where more than a dozen golf courses compete for your afternoon tee time. Shelves within the Expedition’s available Cargo Management System easily accommodate a pair of golf bags. On the links, magnolia and palmetto trees conspire with sweeping Gulf views to leave little doubt that the Panhandle is a special place to play—and an even more special place to know.