When most people think of going to the beach, they automatically think – summer. For many us living along the emerald coast and its incredible beaches, we think that fall is the most beautiful time of the year on the beaches. With the beginning of this autumn season, we felt it appropriate to highlight the area’s beach communities – each with its own unique character and charm. Will Estell’s recent article in “Beaches Resorts & Parks” captures the interesting history and diversity of the beach neighborhoods in South Walton. Pictures shown are compliments of the South Walton Tourist Development Council.
Paradise Unveiled
There is much to be said about the 16 fabulous beach communities that make up South Walton, but let me start by saying that written words alone, no matter how grand I may like to believe mine are, can simply not do justice for the 26 miles of sugar-white beaches and turquoise waters surrounding this row of story-book beach neighborhoods. In other words, read the article, but afterwards do yourself a favor and book a vacation so you can learn first-hand what paradise is all about.
The 16 unique beach neighborhoods, each with its own style and charm, make Northwest Florida’s South Walton an ideal area for your next vacation. From Miramar Beach to Sandestin, and Seaside to Alys Beach each area is overrun with its own personality. Some staples of up-scale beach urbanism, some artsy and eclectic, others simple and reminiscent of the old-world charm one would expect to have existed when the area first became popular many decades ago. The choices of neighborhood styles and personalities abundant throughout South Walton are only one-upped by the thou-sands of choices of accommodations available across these 16 neighborhoods. Whether you are looking for a affluently appealing beach resort, a charming bed & breakfast, a small cottage near the water, or a beachside mansion that sleeps twenty, you can find just what appeals to you somewhere within South Walton. And just as is the case with such places that serve as magnets for vacationers, you will find a world of places to dine, shop, play, be entertained, and pass away your days at the beach just as casually or busily as you desire.
South Walton settlers first arrived in the late 1900’s founding the still legendary beach towns of Santa Rosa Beach and Grayton Beach. The latter is still home to some of the oldest wooden cottages in the area, including the Victorian two-story on stilts, Washaway House. Another historic home can be found at South Walton’s Eden Gardens State Park. The Wesley House was built in 1897 from locally sourced pine. In 1963, New York writer turned publisher, Lois Maxon spent over a million dollars to turn the Victorian home into a Classic Revival property, reflecting an antebellum mansion of the early 1900’s. If you’re a fan of architecture you may want to catch this one while also exploring Eden Gardens.
For all the history and resemblance of days gone by you’ll quickly find that as laid-back and relaxed as the communities of South Walton are today, they are far more new than old. From Seaside’s principals of New Urbanism –introduced by the town’s developers, Robert and Daryl Davis, in the early 1980’s and now studied in architectural and design colleges around the country- to the coastal influences of neighborhoods like Alys Beach -with its frequent use of indoor-to-outdoor spaces, and Mediterranean influence- to the mixture of design styles abounding on the 2,400 acres of Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort, South Walton’s communities are perhaps best described as old world charm and simplicity combined with new world amenities.
From Atlanta, Georgia to Houston, Texas to the New England States; wherever in this country you reside you’ve likely seen more than a few of the blue and yellow 30A decals that seem to be placed with such pride on everything from the back windows of Hyundai Genesis cars to the back bumpers of Range Rover SUVs. The decal is a representation of South Walton’s Scenic Highway 30A, which happens to be the primary road running the length of at least 13 of these 16 beach communities. This one decal is perhaps the truest symbol of what many of the South Walton beach communities mean to so many people who’ve fallen in love with them. Many people who wouldn’t think of placing any other decal on their vehicle are proud to show their love for these beaches by placing this one for all to see. To visit a place is one thing, but to visit it and want the world to know is yet another.
When vacationing in many of these communities and beach towns you will feel a sense of stress reduction and relaxation in the ability to get just about anywhere you want to go in ten minutes or less. And while there is something to be said for being able to walk or ride a bike to the nearby restaurants or shops, you will likely find yourself hopping in your car once in a while to explore the rest of the communities dotting Florida’s Highway 98 and now famous Scenic Highway 30A. Welcome to South Walton… prepare to be amazed!
Miramar Beach
Miramar Beach is that classic beach town from years ago. Miramar is made of great restaurants, large beachfront homes with expansive decks and beach resorts and condos with spectacular views of the beautiful gulf. There’s even an RV park offering beachfront camping, for those who like to rough it a little while taking it easy. Miramar is also home to lots of fabulous eateries, entertainment, and Silver Sands Premium Outlets, the nation’s largest designer outlet center.
Miramar Beach
Seascape
Seascape Resort is actually located in Miramar Beach, but is a community of its own. With its upscale resort style and natural beauty, this is a place you can really unwind and enjoy yourself. As for resort amenities, Seascape offers eight lighted tennis courts, five swimming pools, bike trails, a seafood restaurant overlooking the beach, and two championship golf courses. Combine that with over 2,000 feet of sugar-white beaches and I think you’ll understand why people who visit Seascape do so more than once. This evidenced by two famous recording artists I know of who have owned vacation property at Seascape for many years.
Seascape
Sandestin
Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort is practically its own city, with 2,400 acres and over 1,400 rental properties ranging from condos to homes. From shopping to dining to watersports to playing on the beach, there’s always plenty to do at Sandestin. Offering three championship golf courses and world-class tennis programs, along with spas and adventure activities, Sandestin caters to both the romantic couple on a getaway to the extended family on a week-long vacation.
Sandestin offers the only marina in South Walton as well as the well-known Village of Baytowne Wharf with its numerous shops, restaurants and entertainment venues. While you’re in the mood to shop you’ll also want to visit nearby Grand Boulevard for some retail therapy. Sandestin plays host to festivals and events all year long and is known for being one of the most popular resorts in the entire country. I’ve personally stayed and played at Sandestin multiple times and never grow tired of all it has to offer vacationers.
Sandestin
Dune Allen
A visit to Dune Allen is a visit to a geographical rarity. Coastal dune lakes are an ecosystem found in only a handful of locations around the entire world, and South Walton is one of them. As rare as these are Dune Allen has three of them: Oyster Lake, Lake Allen, and Stallworth Lake. These lakes, along with Topsail Hill State Preserve, bring a balance of beauty and ecological perfection to this small beach community where nature lovers can view rare wildlife and glowing sunsets in one simple place. Don’t worry though, you can still find a place to stay in Dune Allen, and just like the other nearby neighborhoods, restaurants and shopping are close by, as is the beach.
Dune Allen
Gulf Place
Gulf Place is located right on Scenic Highway 30A, and has been making a name as a great place to dine, shop, and stay over the last decade. As the newest addition to the exclusive list of South Walton beach neighborhoods Gulf Place combines a town center and amphitheater, numerous swimming pools, well-manicured lawns, and more than 200 accommodation rentals quickly achieving distinction as a complete vacation destination. With all this and beautiful views of the clear turquoise waters and sugar-white beaches a visit to Gulf Place will have you coming back for more.
GulfPlace
Santa Rosa Beach
Santa Rosa Beach is one of the original two communities in South Walton, originally settled in the late 1800’s, and officially founded in 1910. Santa Rosa Beach already boasted 1200 residents by the 1920’s. Santa Rosa Beach actually encompasses a larger area than many of the beach communities of South Walton, and as such has something for everyone. From luxury beach homes and exquisite waterfront condos, to upscale dining and the well-known Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club, Santa Rosa Beach is a place you’ll want to spend some time no matter where you stay in South Walton.
Santa Rosa Beach
Blue Mountain Beach
This beach community was originally named for its blue lupine flowers found growing in the wild, as well as for having the highest dunes on the Northwest Florida Gulf Coast. Blue Mountain Beach is a rather laid-back area with everything from 60s-era beach cottages to modern waterfront beach mansions. However, the many adventure opportunities from hiking its cypress swamps and pine groves of Point Washington State Forest to biking the Timpoochee Trail make Blue Mountain a favorite of so many visitors.
Blue Mountain
Grayton Beach
Grayton Beach will celebrate 125 years in 2015, and is probably the most historic dot on the South Walton map. A town built on lots of history and one that stands true to its slogan, “Nice Dogs, Friendly Folks.” Grayton Beach is probably as down home, laid-back and old-school as any beach community can be. With its narrow oak lined streets, great fishing and watersports opportunities, as well as Western Lake and Grayton Beach State Park, Grayton Beach is a true paradise that has morphed to accommodate modernism, without having lost its old southern beach town charm.
In 1885, U.S. Army Major, Charles Gray constructed a home on the piece of coast now known as Grayton Beach. The federal government owned most of the area land and not many people had any reason to move there. The area was beautiful in its coastline and views, but the sand was terrible for trying to grow anything one needed and the timber was not plentiful compared to other areas to the north. Skip forward about five years and two Army Generals, William Miller and William Wilson, both moved their families to the beach haven, and began to lay the ground work for the blocks and streets that would become their new town. It was named Grayton Beach after Major Gray, but reaching the area was somewhat of a chore as there wasn’t yet a bridge over Choctawhatchee Bay.
Another early settler, W. H. Butler and his son, Van R. Butler, (who now has a South Walton school named after him) made the day-long trip from DeFuniak Springs to Grayton Beach in 1913 and simply decided to make it their new home. The Butler family decided to start a resort project and bought most of the land that is now known as Grayton Beach. This was the real beginning of Grayton Beach and its life as a vacation and resort destination. The Butler family built and rented cottages, sold building lots, and even ran Grayton’s dance hall -once located where the well-known Red Bar is today- and general mercantile. With all of this history and charm, combined with wonderful beaches and lots of activities for adventure, Grayton is a place you certainly want to spend some time in on your next vacation to South Walton.
Grayton Beach
WaterColor
This 500 acre resort community is located on each side of, and behind, the town of Seaside and has become an uber popular hangout for vacationers from all over the world, as well as locals. With its numerous paved, rock, and wood bike trails, as well as, lakes, wooded areas, and preserved dunes, WaterColor has been applauded for its eco-friendly design. The resort has also caught the attention of many celebrities and sports figures who make it a regular vacation spot of their own. Think about it this way; if Kenny Chesney has chosen WaterColor Inn and their famous Fish Out Of Water restaurant for multiple vacations, it’s probably a place most of us can also enjoy.
With a top-notch inn and restaurant, beach homes and cottages, lakes, a boathouse, tennis club, spa, numerous boutique shops, restaurants, and the affluently appealing beach club, you won’t be short on things to do when you visit this resort community. I’ve personally stayed at WaterColor for pleasure and for work and can tell you that, just like one of my favorite places in the country, Seaside, it is a place you and your family will want to visit often after you’ve been there once.
WaterColor
Seaside
Perhaps the shirts available in the Seaside stores say it best; “Nothing except Seaside is just like Seaside.” This quaint beach town, located about halfway down Scenic Highway 30A, was established in 1981 and has spawned hundreds of copy-cat communities around the world – none of which seem to have captured the true essence of what made the original what it is today. Seaside is about simplicity meeting modernism in a way that I’ve never seen any place be able to imitate. It really is home to wood floors and sandy feet, yet it is still a haven for the well-heeled affluent who want to get away from their gated homes, Porsche SUVs, and six-figure salaries and just relax at the beach. I often think of Seaside as “The place people go… when they can go anywhere they want”. Yes, you can quote me on that… in fact now I’m thinking it would make a great new Seaside shirt.
I’ve personally been to Seaside probably six dozen or more times since first discovering it about ten years ago, and I think of it as the one town that, if I could live anywhere in the world, this would be it. With small town charm, vibrant but simple architecture, an outdoor amphitheater, a nationally acclaimed arts festival, and great eateries like Bud & Alley’s, Great Southern Café, Crush, Pickles, and Beachside BBQ, I believe it to be one of the best places to visit anywhere. That’s probably just what you’d expect from a town that wrote the rules for New Urbanism, and where the picture-perfect pastel homes and picket fences played stars alongside Jim Carrey in 1998 hit film, The Truman Show. Above-and-beyond that however, there’s so much more to Seaside than what myself or any other writer can put into words. It’s a beach town, much like all of the South Walton communities that you literally have to experience for yourself to truly understand why there is nothing else like it. Now call or visit the town’s primary vacation home provider, Cottage Rental Agency, located in Seaside’s town center, and discover it for yourself.
Seaside
Seagrove Beach
Seagrove Beach is a unique beach community that has an eclectic mix of old beach homes and newer beach cottages surrounded by lots of big oaks, vibrant flowers, and sugar-white beaches. With an abundant menu of off-beach activities that range from exploring Point Washington State Forest to browsing the beach shops and partaking of the restaurants dotted along this stretch, you’re sure to find something to catch your attention and fill your time while in Seagrove Beach.
Seagrove
WaterSound
This beach community offers beautiful waters and deep green wooded grasslands, from the serenity of riding a beach cruiser between sand dunes to the enjoyment of driving a golf ball on the front nine at Camp Creek Golf Course, this gated resort community offers anything and everything most visitors could dream of in a close-knit community with beautiful beaches and lots of fun activities.
WaterSound
Seacrest Beach
If peace and quiet is what you’re after then Seacrest Beach may be just the place for you. This community’s laid-back tranquility is perfect for really getting away. Resting on the eastern end of Scenic Highway 30A, this eclectic mix of classic Florida beach houses and brand new waterfront homes is something different from much of the other South Walton beach communities. Many of the homes are inhabited full time by their primary owners, though you can also rent vacation properties in the area. Besides the beach, Seacrest offers fishing, kayaking, swimming, hiking and golfing. You may also want to check out the opportunities for bird and wildlife viewing at Camp Creek Lake. This is another one of South Walton’s coastal dune lakes that are so rare across the rest of the world.
Seacrest
Alys Beach
This Mediterranean inspired beach town was founded and developed by Birmingham, Alabama based EBSCO, and named after the founder’s granddaughter, Alys. You’ll first notice Alys Beach when you drive between the massive white butteries at the entrance. Everything about Alys looks different than most everything else on famous 30A and you may feel as if you’ve been teleported to some beach town in another country. Rest assured you’re still in the good ole US of A, just a rarer part of it.
Alys Beach is still very much a work in progress and should continue to build out and grow for many years to come, though it’s already a great place to rent a house for a week… or buy for a lifetime. From the expansive resort style Caliza Pool to George’s restaurant to Fonville Press, Alys is a unique coastal getaway like none you’ve probably visited in this country, and that’s what makes it so special. Renting for a week in Alys Beach certainly isn’t cheap, with prices upwards of $8,000 to $12,000 per week for a house, however if you have the means I’d highly suggest taking the week.
Alys Beach
Rosemary Beach
From Rosemary’s wide-open wrap-around porches to its Town Center with a New Orleans French Quarter quality to the many eclectic shops and restaurants, there is something for everyone to like in this exquisite beach town.
To spend a few days in Rosemary is like a venture to another place in time. One where people move at a slower pace and spend their days making new friends, browsing the boutiques, and playing in one of the four swimming pools. Don’t forget the beach when you’re here though. It’s still half of this town’s name, and most of the appeal to those who vacation or live in this village on the coast.
Rosemary Beach
Inlet Beach
A visit to Inlet Beach is like a visit to a place you’ve been before. You’ll feel like a local in no time in this laid-back community with beach cottages and three story waterfront homes. A primary mode of transportation is bicycling in Inlet Beach and doing so is a great way to unwind along the quiet streets, or make a quick jaunt to a local eatery.
Inlet Beach is also home to the single largest public beach access point in all of South Walton; meaning you will often make new friends while getting away with old ones. Just remember that a few days spent here make you a local no matter where you really call home.
Inlet Beach
Will Estell is the founder and editor-in-chief of Beaches, Resorts & Parks magazine, as well as being an author, and multi-published writer with over 100 feature articles over the past decade. He specializes in travel and vacation, business, and automobile editorial, however, writes on subjects as diverse as fitness and weddings. He has served as editor-in-chief, then owner and publisher of magazines in the wedding industry, as well as founder and publisher of a magazine in the college and career field, before selling those magazines in order to pursue Beaches Resorts & Parks and future titles. He lives in Oxford, Alabama with his wife -a private practice therapist- and three children, and splits his time between his home and the Destin, Florida office of Beaches, Resorts & Parks. In his spare time he coaches baseball, exercises, and spends as much time as possible with his sons
What a life! McCaskill & Company is delighted to be located just west of Destin, among what we consider the most beautiful beaches of the world. We hope that if you have not done so already, you will have the opportunity to visit the Emerald Coast of Northwest Florida. While you are enjoying paradise, be sure to stop by and see our designer jewelry gallery featuring a great selection of fashion classic and fashion jewelry, engagement rings and watches.
