Definitely more family oriented, with lodging prices for everyone...from a Day's Inn (but it isn't on the ocean) and cheaper condos to the Ritz and Amelia Island Plantation. We usually stay in the mid-range at the Surf and Racquet Club (sufandracquet, do not go to the website with their full name, as it is a property broker; you can still rent a condo, but will have to go elsewhere to pick up your key, and won't have the services of the lovely office staff if something goes wrong) which is literally between the two high end properties; we get the same beach at half the price. :lol: We have stayed at the others for meetings, but if it's a whole week with family, I prefer something more casual, and compact.
EVERY condo overlooks the ocean, and the beach/pools are the same distance for everyone, unless you are on the first floor (but you lose the view due to dunes and vegetation) There are elevators, so the units are handicap accesible (this was an issue at other resorts!) There are full sized appliances (important if you have lots of beach towels to wash) so you can cook most any meal, if you choose. There are lots of restaurants in the historic downtown area, from upscale to a place where you get buckets of shrimp that you peel and eat at the table, which has a special hole for tossing the shells.
There is also lots of history there, from Ft Clinch (which has concerts in the evening on certain summer days) to American Beach, an historic African-American beach which was
the place to go during segregation for people up and down the east coast.
I hate to sound like a member of the chamber of commerce, but we have found it to be an almost perfect vacation spot for our family, at all stages of life. It was perfect with a 3 month old, and just as perfect with teenagers.
I almost hate to say anything, for fear that it will get too touristy for our taste. So, keep it quiet.
