Cape San Blas on Memorial day

Question

I booked a home not realizing it was Memorial day week. We will stay in port st joe and spend most our time at the park on the cape. How crowded will it be that week. Considering moving our dates. We like things as low key as possible. We loved our trip in June last year and it was very calm for a Florida trip in summer compared to Destin where we used to go.

Answer

Memorial Day week is typically a busy time along the Gulf Coast of Florida, including areas like Cape San Blas and Port Saint Joe. The Florida Panhandle tends to see more tourists during this time as people take advantage of the long weekend to enjoy the beach. However, compared to more tourist-heavy areas like Destin or Panama City Beach, Cape San Blas and Port Saint Joe remain relatively quiet and low-key, even during peak holiday weekends.

Here's a breakdown of what you might expect:

Crowds at the Beach: Cape San Blas is known for its quieter, more relaxed vibe, and Memorial Day weekend will certainly bring more visitors to the area. The beach near the State Park can get busier, but it’s still less crowded compared to the more commercialized beach towns. If you prefer a more peaceful experience, you might want to visit earlier in the day before the crowds pick up. The afternoons will likely see more visitors, especially on the weekend itself.
Campgrounds and the Park: If you plan to spend time at St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, be prepared for more traffic, especially at popular areas like the beaches or hiking trails. The park itself, while beautiful, can fill up with visitors during Memorial Day week. However, because the park is relatively large, you can still find quieter spots away from the busiest areas. The campground may also see increased bookings, so be sure to plan accordingly.
Local Businesses: Restaurants and shops in Port Saint Joe may see more foot traffic during this time, especially for those coming in from the beaches. However, many of the local businesses are still small and relatively low-key, so it won’t be as intense as more tourist-driven towns.

If you’re looking to avoid the Memorial Day crowds as much as possible, you may want to consider adjusting your dates to avoid the holiday weekend itself. The week before or after Memorial Day (such as the first or second week of June) is a great time to visit when the crowds tend to thin out, but the weather is still warm and enjoyable. June also brings calmer, quieter conditions to Cape San Blas, which is what you seemed to enjoy during your trip last year.

In summary, Memorial Day will bring more visitors, but Cape San Blas and Port Saint Joe are still quieter than places like Destin. If you value a low-key vacation, it’s worth sticking with your dates, but if you want to avoid any additional crowds, shifting your dates to after Memorial Day could make for a more peaceful experience.

Cape San Blas on Memorial day

More Port Saint Joe Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions