Salinas Park

Salinas Park - A Small, Quiet Park on Cape San Blas
Written by: The FloridaPanhandle.com Local Experts Team
Local Expert's Rating:
4 / 5
The Bottom Line:

Salinas Park Gulfside is a beautiful, low-key beach park at the base of Cape San Blas. You'll find just the bare basics in terms of amenities: restrooms, picnic tables, basic BBQ grills. But the beach views and quiet, non-busy brush with nature makes it a great place to spend an hour or a day. A small playground and plenty of play space appeal to the younger set, and boardwalks offer a lovely walk--but some are still in disrepair after damage by Hurricane Michael. 

- The FloridaPanhandle.com Local Expert Team

Located on the gulf side of Cape San Blas, Salinas Park is a quiet, calm beach park that’s still recovering from Hurricane Michael. Although some sections of the boardwalks were damaged during the hurricane, most of the park is fully functioning. Lovely beach access (and uncrowded beaches) make it a great stop for those in search of a quiet day by the water. Restrooms, a playground, and picnic tables and grills make it a solid stop for a BBQ or to let the kids run off a bit of energy during a day of exploring the Cape. 

The beach access here is beautiful: spacious expanses of white sand, stunning views, and (perhaps equally important) readily-accessible shade nearby. Stables in the neighborhood offer horseback riding on the beach, and the park is pet-friendly–a great place to bring your pup along for a picnic or beach day. At the time of this writing, the park’s boardwalks are intact, but parts have been covered with sand from Hurricane Michael; there’s no word on how long it’ll take to get them back into working order. If you have a smaller dog, take care while on the boardwalks, because the wood-slat walkway can be hard on small paws. 

A neighboring bayside park is accessible within easy walking distance for a view from the other side of the narrow Cape. The overall atmosphere is one of unimpaired natural beauty; you won’t find a lot of amenities, but you will feel miles away from the hustle of civilization while you enjoy the wetlands, beach, and stands of surrounding trees. Keep an eye out for wildlife, and if you’re feeling adventurous, grab a snorkel and goggles to go scalloping while you’re out! 

Salinas Park is located at the base of Cape San Blas, just after you turn off Hwy 30A. It’s nestled into a quiet, well-preserved area of the Cape, with nary a skyscraper in sight. After you turn on to Cape San Blas, Salinas Park Gulfside is on the right, with the corresponding bayside park on the other side of the road. Salinas Park Gulfside is a great stop for a picnic; you’ll find an array of top-notch restaurants offering takeout nearby. It’s also a convenient stop on the way off San Blas to unwind after a busy day of activities. 

Insider Tips:
– Pets are allowed, but dogs must be on a leash while on the park grounds. 
– Like to canoe or kayak? The long boardwalk on the bayside is perfect for launching small boats into the water.