Things improve markedly once you cross into Gulf County, about another five miles. From I-10 to the raw bar takes about two and a half hours, but the waterfront scenery is gorgeous and stopping places are plentiful once you're on 98. If coming from Pensacola, exit I-10 at Marianna on State Road 71 and take it all the way south to 98 at Port St. Joe. Turn east and pick up C-30 just east of town. The Forgotten Coast region is rural in nature and towns are small.
Beaches are pristine and public, but there are no beach resorts.
Those would be farther west in Panama City and Fort Walton Beach. Closed Sunday and Monday. Major credit cards accepted. T-shirts and prints of the raw bar are available. Beer and wine.