My viewpoint is that I live outside of Tampa and my S lives outside of pensacola. I love the panhandle beaches, but that time of year, the water might be a bit cold, if your DH still wants to to go in. What has happened to this area, and St Pete beach, AMI is just awful. I am not sure how much damage happened to Naples and Southward (use the southwest airport). I think sanibel island had some flooding and was still recovering from Ian. any of these places could use the tourist dollars for sure. By November St Pete beach might be ok. I saw on the news that many of the places are trying to rebuild quickly. So many people helping other people here.
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There was storm surge damage in Naples but not as much as up north. Not sure how long it will take for them to clean up. I personally wouldn’t be planning a beach vacation there now, especially since hurricane season isn’t over.
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There’s a SpringHill in Navarre Beach - just East of Pcola and West of Destin. It’s alone - I don’t recall condo towers.
PCB is definitely more condos, activity but if you look at the Bay Point area it’s quieter - it will have small private beaches but they are in the bay. There’s a Marriott resort and another they sold to Blue Green. Not sure its status but they used to have an hourly boat to Shell Island included in the rate. Shell Island is like being in your own Caribbean island. Walk across (it’s short) from where the boat drops you, you are the only person (or you’ll see few) and even though the boat ride is just 10 mins, you can position yourself where you can’t see the towers or anything. So that’s nice.
But Pensacola Beach is so much nicer/quieter than Panama City - and if you’re in the town - like at the Hilton or Holiday Inn or Surf and Sand, only a few condo buildings. You have to go 5 miles west to hit the majority.
No matter what you do, the gulf is the better choice imho but PCB is definitely not the place to go for quiet althiugh the Bay Point area in PCB would be but it’s on the Bay vs gulf so you’d drive 10 mins to a gulf beach if you prefer that over the hotels private bay beach. But shell island is also a fabulous daily getaway for an hour or two…bring a picnic.
Wow Shell island sounds lovely. I will see what the hubs thinks.
it is awful. We love AMI also. We spent a few days on AMI several years ago before Ian and had a wonderful time.
The Inn did reach out letting me know they have damage and are closed. Too soon to know when they will be up and running again. I am impressed how they are all helping each other to get re-open quickly. Will look up near Pensacola. Although, I am concerned it might be too chilly already up there.
I think Sanibel Island was not hit hard by Helene and is well on the way to recovery.
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I mean Pensacola is better but if you want quieter and u go PCB, then Bay Pointe plus She’ll Island is nice. You can tell - we frequent the gulf 
Have fun
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I think a lot of the beaches mentioned will have cold water then but key largo would have the best odds.
Note Delta also flies to Key West - I believe non stop from LaGuardia. Maybe another option to look and best odds for warm water if it matters.
With so many concerns about the Gulf side of Florida, might Bermuda or the Bahamas be a possibility?
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Bermuda won’t be particularly warm in November…
What about Puerto Rico? Some of the resorts there have really nice beaches…and the prices are good too.
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Amelia Island may fit the bill. Delta has nonstops from LGA and BOS to Jacksonville.
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There may be no comparison in your mind — but some of us still prefer the Atlantic Ocean over the gulf. Heck, I live within 20 miles of the Pacific and still prefer the Atlantic !
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Funny u say this. My son lives in Irvine. Goes to Laguna Beach most days after work.
Coming home for 5 days in a few weeks. Wants to go to the beach. Pensacola. So we are going four days and he’s flying home from there.
I’m like you live near Newport, Corona Del Mar, Laguna.
And he’s like - there’s nothing like the gulf.
Yep, it’s clear from this thread, everyone has their preferences.
But OP has stated earlier they prefer the water color on the gulf side.
With others, I share concern of the November weather so far North.
Laguna Beach is lovely! I don’t dislike the Pacific – I just prefer the Atlantic. I think it’s that the Atlantic smells more – marshy? At least the beaches I go to in New Jersey (which is where my family is from). To me, that just smells right. Plus the higher humidity – not necessarily pleasant, but still feels “right” to this transplanted mid-Atlanticer!
That said, I’m probably going to the beach (Pacific) sometime this week! After all, it’s only a half-hour away.
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Fly into Jacksonville or Savannah and drive to St. Simons, Jekyll, or Sea Island (the last is hoity toity),
As for the FL Panhandle, some areas are probably going to be fine by November. Seaside, Rosemary Beach, and Laguna Beach (the one in FL) are all generally ok, per my friends who have places there.
We spent a family Thanksgiving at Hilton Head one year when my kitchen ovens were out. It plenty warm - it’s our go to summer place but we really enjoyed Thanksgiving there as well.
Hilton head is fun! Good outlet stores too!
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Cocoa Beach has wide white sand and waves. Plus quite a few nice restaurants.
4th Street Fillin’ Station is my favorite.
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