Sorrento Road and Bauer Road are the two cross streets that organize the locals’ Perdido. If your rental directions said “turn right at the second light past the bridge,” that light’s on Sorrento. The Publix at Sorrento and Innerarity Point is the closest grocery store to the Key, which means in the third week of March it’s a war zone.
The unspoken rule of locals’ Perdido: you do your errands inland, you keep the beach for the beach. This is where you take out the trash, fix the truck, get the prescription, and grab pizza without having to find parking. Most tourists never come here, which is exactly why it works.
Tip: the absolute best move on a rainy afternoon is to drive Bauer Road north until you hit something old or interesting. There’s a lot back here you won’t find in the chamber brochure.