Gulf County, Florida, is popular as a vacation destination for those looking for a low-rise, low-key destination with beautiful beaches, the freshest of seafood and a welcoming community. But drawing people in is nothing new to this northwest Florida destination, just two hours southwest of Tallahassee and an hour east of Panama City Beach. It has a history of bringing people together, from indigenous Americans to the state’s first leaders.
Of course, a big part of Gulf County’s culture has, for generations, revolved around its waters and its seafood. Today, visitors find a variety of ways to get out on the water, whether for a charter fishing trip or a scalloping and shelling adventure. Enjoying the bounty of area waters is a tradition here, too. Local restaurants offer a variety of casual and upscale, waterfront and downtown options each with its own menu of succulent coastal cuisine. This contemporary coastal community also proudly shares its history and culture with visitors who love exploring the sites and enjoying the practices that honor those who have come before them.
Gulf County celebrated its centennial in 2025 but long before the county lines were drawn, the area was home to many and already popular with visitors, too. Coastal American Indians were already living in the region when Spanish explorers dropped anchor inside Cape San Blas and settled here in the early 1700s. Indigenous Americans harvested food, manufactured tools and lived, at least seasonally, on sites near the bay for 12,000 years.
One of Gulf County’s most popular attractions today offers a look into early life here. St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve Center (3915 State Road #30-A, Port St. Joe, Florida 32456; 850-229-1787) encompasses 19 known archaeological and historical sites, dating from prehistoric times to the 20th century. There are four access points to multi-use trails system that is open for hiking, biking, horseback riding, bird watching and photography. In addition to its historical significance the 55,000 acres of preserve land provides an essential buffer for St. Joseph Bay that helps protect the Bay’s water quality, natural productivity and the critical habitats of the natural coastal landscape in one of the most significant areas in the Southeastern U.S. for ecological diversity. The preserve’s Visitor Center and Observation Tower is where visitors can find trail maps and educational exhibits. A climb to the top of the Observation Tower offers a panoramic view of St. Joseph Bay and surrounding coastal lands.
In the 1820s, the Apalachicola River was recognized as a commercial port for the rich cotton-producing states. The nearby town of Apalachicola was founded in 1822 but St. Joseph’s (the original name of Port St. Joe) was established shortly thereafter, in 1835, because its harbor was deeper at 17 feet. A railway opened in 1836, the first utilizing steam locomotion in Florida and one of the first three steam railroads in the United States, making the region a key transportation hub.
Just two years later, St. Joseph was booming and was the largest city in the Territory of Florida. In 1838, delegates from all counties in Territorial Florida assembled here to draft Florida’s first State Constitution. Because those 56 delegates penned the constitution for Florida to become a state, Port St. Joe is still called the “Constitution City.” Constitution Convention Museum State Park (200 Allen Memorial Way, Port St. Joe, Florida 32456; 850-229-8029) spans 14 acres and includes a monument and a museum that highlights Florida’s first constitution and commemorates the work of the delegates who drafted it. This constitution became the law when the territory was admitted to the Union in 1845 as the 27th state. Visitors can take a self-guided tour through displays and exhibits of the era, including a replicated convention hall and artifacts from the original settlement in St. Joseph.
The town of St. Joseph fell on hard times and only existed for nine years as a host of catastrophic events ensued. Re-established in 1909, the resurrected city went on to become an industrial hub for the paper industry and a popular tourism destination.
The Cape San Blas Lighthouse (George Core Park, 162 Miss Zola’s Drive, Port St. Joe, Florida 32456; 850-229-1151) has been towering above during many of Gulf County’s history-making moments. Originally built in 1849, it continues to be an iconic sight and popular attraction in Port St. Joe. The lighthouse has survived storms, erosion and even a Civil War attack, and has been rebuilt multiple times. The lighthouse, along with the Keeper’s Quarters and oil shed, was moved to Port St. Joe in 2014 to preserve its legacy, and it now stands proudly in George Core Park and offers stunning views of St. Joseph Bay.
Cape San Blas Lighthouse is just one of the local spots where stories of Forgotten Souls are common. Those interested in ghost stories will find plenty of fodder in Gulf County. From stories of the lighthouse keeper to tales of a ghost at the newly renovated Port Theatre (314 Reid Avenue, Port St. Joe, Florida 32456), to Old St. Joseph Cemetery, which is all that remains of the lost city of St. Joseph.
Where to Stay
Gulf County has a wide array of accommodations to fit any group’s needs. There are vacation rental homes of all sizes and inns and cottages, each with a character all its own. Camping, both primitive beach camping and full hook-up RV sites, is a popular way to enjoy this coastal area, as well.
Hotel Saint Joseph (504 Monument Avenue, Port St. Joe, Florida 32456; 850-253-7957) Located in the heart of Port St. Joe, the hotel was created on the storied property of the former Florida National Bank, a landmark completed in 1966, now thoughtfully renovated.
The Port Inn – Port St Joe, Ascend Collection Hotel (501 Monument Avenue, Port St. Joe, Florida 32456; 850-229-7678) This boutique hotel offers modern accommodations with historic charm. It is located in downtown Port St. Joe near a variety of local shops and restaurants.
Cape San Blas Inn (4950 Cape San Blas Road, Port St. Joe, Florida 32456; 850-229-7070) Built as a Bed & Breakfast in 1999, the Cape San Blas Inn is situated on the east side of St. Joseph Peninsula, overlooking picturesque St. Joseph Bay and across the street from the turquoise waters of the Gulf.
Cape San Blas Vacation Rentals (4320 Cape San Blas Road, Port St. Joe, Florida 32456; 850-229-6916) There are a variety of options, gulf front and bay front, to make any Gulf County vacation special.
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