We have been going to St Simons Island now for 5 years and are leaving this week and spending 3 weeks. It is the most laid back area we have been to and we can walk or ride bikes to everything. We stay at The Grand condos and we are a 5 minute walk from 6 restaurants, liquor store, some shops, and a bike rental/shop store. It is situated between Sea Island and Jekyll Island. Jekyll is a 20 minute car ride and a must to visit.
At The Grand you are right on the beach and when the tide is out have about 3 miles of beach to walk on.
Why anyone goes to the hustle and bustle of Florida is beyond me as I just want a laid back spot where I can park the car and forget about it.
Oh by the way the Lighthouse is a 15 minute beach walk down by the pier area. The view is great from the top.
The pier area hosts dozens of great restaurants and shops.
Be sure and do your homework before you go as it is full of our nations history from the Revolution to WW11. German ships were seen off the islands.
A great place and a must trip.

I have wanted to go to St. Simons for years. We just haven't made it down there yet. It sounds really nice!