By Lynne Christen

All beach towns are not alike. Here’s a quick glance at the 15 delightfully diverse beach communities along 26 miles of the Beaches of South Walton; where there’s something for everyone.

To the east, historic Inlet Beach lies at the junction of scenic Highway 30-A and Emerald Coast Parkway (Hwy. 98). WWII veterans vied for land there through a 1947 Bureau of Land Development lottery. Sample the flavors of the West Indies at upscale Rosemary Beach. Sparkling new Alys Beach is like stepping into a picture-perfect postcard from Bermuda or Antigua. Seacrest is characterized by lazy beach days and eco-friendly golf. Watersound boasts a lush natural setting and eco-tourism, coastal dune lake activities. Seagrove attracts families seeking an authentic “old florida” experience.

Continuing west on 30-A, Seaside draws international attention. Publications like Time, Southern Living and USA Today cite the popular planned community’s new urbanism design and vibrant community lifestyle. Enjoy an upscale refuge at Seaside’s next door neighbor Watercolor with its centerpiece AAA Four-Diamond WaterColor Inn and Resort. Grayton Beach is a colorful artsy beach community. Don’t miss a night at the funky Red Bar! Blue Mountain draws its “un-beachlike” name from towering white sand dunes carpeted with waving sea oats and fuzzy-leafed bluish lupine plants framing emerald green Gulf waters. Santa Rosa Beach boasts championship golf at Santa Rosa Golf and Beach Club and is home of elegant Eden State Gardens. Dune Allen Beach surrounds Stallworth Lake, one of 17 coastal dune lakes, which are unique to this part of the world.

Along Highway 98 West, Sandestin is best known for the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort and the elite new Grand Boulevard shopping and dining complex. Serious shoppers give credit cards a workout at Silver Sands Factory Stores at Miramar Beach. And, westernmost Seascape features championship golf and top-ranked tennis.

Stay awhile to explore all of our Emerald Coast communities.

Images credit: Beaches of South Walton/TDC

By Lynne Christen

The spring 2010 calendar is filling up fast along the Beaches of South Walton. So it’d be best to plan ahead. These festivals and special events are worth the trip.

On February 19, ANNIKA Experience at WaterSound is a celebration of active lifestyles and wellness education. Whether you are a serious or casual runner, lace up your running shoes and head to America's classic beach town Sunday, March 7, for the Seaside Half Marathon and 5K Run. Don’t wait to book your slot. The 5K run is limited to the first 750 participants and the half marathon is limited to the first 2000 participants. Music lovers will rock out at the 2nd Annual Guitar Hero Tournament, March 19 at Seaside. Car buffs get revved up at the 9th Annual 30A Car Show at Rosemary Beach, March 27.

Hop down for Easter and Easter Egg Hunts galore on April 4 at Eden State Gardens, Rosemary Beach, Seaside, WaterColor and the Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin Resort. Join women of like mind for a 5-day journey of health and wellness at the Soul Sisters Yoga Retreat at Seagrove Beach, April 21-25. A must for wine lovers: The April 22-25 Sandestin Wine Festival showcases more than 600 domestic and international wines and a host of wine dinners and fun events.

Go Behind the Lens and learn how acclaimed photographers, John Moran and Richard Sexton, capture their amazing photos, April 30 and May 1 at Rosemary Beach. Focus will be landscape and architecture photography. And back for the 22nd year, Artsquest at Seaside, May 7-10 is a celebration of creativity that includes gallery self-guided tours, student art exhibits and a festival with over 100 artists, live entertainment and children activities.

For more information on these and other Emerald Coast events, check the calendar at the Beaches of South Walton.

By Lynne Christen

 

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. There’s nothing like a little romance combined with sunny days at the beach to heat things up. Picture proposing, saying “I do” or “I still do” on a beautiful sunset beach. Here are a few ideas for a romantic getaway along the Beaches of South Walton.

Check out the two-night stay Valentine’s Romance Package at AAA Four Diamond rated WaterColor Inn & Resort. Enjoy a luxury gulf-front guest room, breakfast each morning, an intimate dinner for two at Fish Out of Water, champagne and chocolate-dipped strawberries and two Swedish massages at the InnSpa.

Take advantage of off-season rates as low as $89 per night and a host of amenities at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. Then, there’s the over-the-top Sandestin Valentine’s Getaway that includes penthouse accommodations for two nights and three days, a bottle of Dom Perignon champagne, a dozen roses and a stunning emerald and diamond ring. Add dinner for two at Finz Beachside Grille with a personal fireworks show on the beach. Cost of this maximum wow-factor romantic rendezvous: Around $10,000. Naturally, advanced planning is required!

 

Ready to escape Old Man Winter’s icy grip? Here are savvy ways to have fun and save a ton on a family-friendly spring break along the Beaches of South Walton:

• Surf lodging specials at Beaches of South Walton. 

• Factor in the value of amenities. At Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort and WaterColor Inn & Resort, families enjoy a variety of free children's activities and complimentary use of bicycles, kayaks, canoes and fishing gear. Vacation rental companies like ResortQuest pack on perks with programs providing free admissions to popular attractions, dolphin cruises, deep-sea fishing and much more.

• Days on the beach don’t cost a cent. Hang out under an umbrella and build the biggest sandcastle on the beach. Snorkel in crystal clear shallow waters. Beachcomb for treasures from the sea.

• Join the fun at local festivals and events, such as free Mardi Gras events at the Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin in February and free spring Wednesday night concerts. Bonfires on the beach at WaterColor are always a hit. And, there are loads of free, and nearly free, happenings at state parks like Deer Lake, Topsail Hill and Grayton Beach.

• Catch dinner right off the beach (fishing license required), or dig into a seafood feast at local restaurants with early dining specials, two-for-one entrees and great kid menu prices.

• Pick up loads of coupons for discount dining, shopping and activities at the South Walton Visitors Center on the corner of U.S. Highway 331 and Emerald Coast Parkway, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., seven days a week.

By Lynne Christen

Dropping a hook in the water and waiting for a fish to come along and take my bait is a little too passive for me. My attention wanders, especially when fish aren’t biting. On the other hand, I’ve always thought I would like fly-fishing. My first misconception: I thought fly-fishing was only for trout and salmon streams. So, I was pleased to discover that fly-casting actually works in fresh water streams, or at sea. More good news: I can learn how to fly-fish right here along the Beaches of South Walton. Join me at a two-day course at WaterColor Inn & Resort’s Orvis Fly Fishing School.

Instructors from Old Florida Outfitters and Shallow Water Expeditions, the only Orvis-endorsed outfitters in Northwest Florida, teach students the acclaimed Orvis method of fly-fishing from start to finish. Our first morning starts with a little classroom time, learning about the lines, rods and reels. We cover basic casting strokes, shooting line, false casting and roll casts and get some hands-on practice. By the end of the day, we are tying knots. I need some practice, but the four to one student to instructor ratio means I have plenty of help.

Day two begins with selecting flies and how to handle, photograph and release fish correctly. Then, it’s off to fly-fish for the afternoon and I’m hooked. The two-day school runs on select Saturdays/Sundays and Tuesdays/Wednesdays throughout 2010. Classes fill up fast. Check schedules and book in advance at WaterColor Resort Fly Fishing School or call WaterColor Resort’s concierge at 850-534-5008.

By Lynne Christen

 

The Beaches of South Walton become a mecca for music fans on January 15-17, 2010 when dozens of prominent singers and songwriters gather for the inaugural 30A Songwriters Festival.

Here’s a sample of a few of the headliners taking the stage:
• Emily Saliers and Amy Ray (multi-platinum, multi-Grammy award-winning Indigo Girls)
• Sam Bush (known as the King of Newgrass)
• Chely Wright (former Best New Female Country Artist of the Year and one of People Magazine’s past 50 Beautiful People)
• Rodney Crowell (a member of the Nashville Songwriting Hall of Fame)
• John Oates (one half of the rock duo Hall & Oates)
• Jeffrey Steele (songwriter for over 100 artists in recent years)

Performances kickoff Friday afternoon with a reception at Bud & Alley’s at Seaside for all artists and attendees. Then, it’s a full weekend of solo and multi-artist performances at local theaters and beach bars along Highway 30A. Catch your favorites at Bluz Bar, Stinky’s Fish Camp, Shorty’s Surfside, Seaside Meeting Hall Theatre, Caliza at Aly’s Beach, Rosemary Town Hall and Fish Out of Water at WaterColor Inn & Resort.

Take advantage of rock-bottom winter lodging rates and save more money by purchasing a three-day pass (wristband) that includes all performances and the Friday kickoff party.

Watch for a feature article on the 30A Songwriters Festival in USA Today on January 8. Get the latest festival information, an up-to-the-minute performance schedule and purchase tickets here.


Photo Credit: Cultural Arts Association of Walton County/30A Songwriters Festival

By Lynne Christen

You probably realized while reading this blog weekly that I am not objective about the Emerald Coast. Over the weeks, I’ve shared a bounty of great things about living and visiting here. Actually, you don’t have to take my word for it. Praise constantly pours in for the Beaches of South Walton from leading travel publications.

Frommer’s recently ranked Beaches of South Walton and the Florida Panhandle as one of the Top 12 Destinations for 2010. The ranking recognizes the area for its diverse recreation choices, pristine beaches, funky shops and planned communities like Seaside. The guide agrees that “there really is something for everyone.”

USA Today cited the “sweet life in a stretch of Florida’s sugar sand” and highlighted the communities of WaterColor, Sandestin, Seaside and WaterSound. Julie Herron Carson, a freelance writer in Atlanta, praises the “family-friendly fun” and proclaimed the Beaches of South Walton one of her new favorite places in The Piedmont Review. The Weather Channel aired live from Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort as part of its “Why I Love Spring” series. And, Travel & Leisure ranks WaterColor Inn & Resort in Santa Rosa Beach in the 2010 Top 500 Hotels of the World.

See what I mean? Need help planning a vacation on the Emerald Coast in 2010? Discover deals and diversions galore at the beachesofsouthwalton.com.

By Lynne Christen

One thing for sure: There’s always a “White Christmas” along the Beaches of South Walton. Our 99% pure and powdery white, quartz, sand-covered dunes might look like snowdrifts, but the similarity ends there. Dazzling sunlight glitters like diamonds on the emerald green Gulf of Mexico waters and warms the sand along the shoreline. Even when a taste of winter’s chill creeps down south bringing a nip to the air, a light jacket is typically all that is needed for a walk on the beach — a sure cure for winter blahs.

Winter visitors, affectionately known as snowbirds, have discovered our winter roost, far from Old Man Winter’s icy chill. Lodging costs significantly less than South Florida stays. Many of our restaurants feature “Snowbird and Early Dining” menus. Folks are friendly along the Beaches of South Walton. And, there’s plenty to do during a winter visit. 
The Walton County Snowbirds boast a bonanza of special events and camaraderie. Early arrivals are already enjoying a host of holiday parties and entertainment. Snowbird President Bob Swenson and his team of volunteers will welcome hundreds of winter residents at the official season kick-off on January 4, 2010 at Faith Assembly Fellowship Hall. 

Here’s a brief overview of what’s on the snowbird calendar. Golfers tee off at area greens on play days at a reduced cost. Singles make new friends on outings like Mattie Kelly Arts Center and Wesley Plantation House at Eden Gardens State Park. Tennis players hone their skills with matches at Mainsail’s newly refurbished courts. Card players gather for bridge, poker, Mahjongg and more at Chateau Le Mer #2 Clubhouse. Find out about all the fun right here and check out area deals and diversions at Beaches of South Walton Visitor Information Center.

By Lynne Christen

From over 100 designer outlet retailers at Silver Sands Factory Stores to one-of-a-kind galleries, finding perfect gifts for family and friends is easy along the Beaches of South Walton. Come with me on a festive holiday shopping spree.

For original gifts by local artists, I enjoy meandering along Highway 30A making frequent reconnaissance stops at galleries like Artists at Gulf Place, Big Mama’s Hula Girl Gallery, House of Art, Blue Giraffe and the fun-and-funky Zoo Gallery. A lunch break in Seaside at Bud & Alley’s recharges me and I’m back on track. While in Seaside, Sundog Books is the place to go for books and music from bestsellers to hard-to-find titles and unique personal journals, calendars and greeting cards. I whittle away an hour or so browsing the packed shelves, sipping java and chatting with fellow book lovers. Foodies on my list look forward to regional cookbooks, like an autographed copy of Sister Schubert’s inspirational new cookbook, Cast Your Bread Upon the Waters. Then, it takes just a few minutes to fill delectable treat baskets with gourmet goodies and award-winning wines at Modica Market. Continuing east on 30A, I still have enough time to round out my day at Pish Posh Patchouli’s, a sensory apothecary boutique with heavenly scents for the whole family, including the cat.

I checked off most of my holiday shopping list, including a few “me” treats, and there are still plenty of shopping days left for another spree or two.

By Lynne Christen

Beach vacations are typically all about sun, sea and sand. No problem, we’ve got all three. And when it’s time for a break from the beach, there is an abundance of holiday surprises along the Beaches of South Walton. Here’s a sample of our holiday fun.

Soak up sunshine and cool off on the ice. Yep, ice-skating in Florida. The outdoor ice-skating rink at the Village of Baytowne Wharf is open now through January 31, 2010. Toss your blades in your bag, or rent ice skates for $2. Skate for $8 or buy one ticket and donate a warm coat to the United Way “Coats for Kids” program and get a second skate free!

Add magic to a holiday stay at Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort with a personal visit from Santa in the privacy of your accommodations. Santa knocks on your door with a present for each child and snuggles up for a Christmas story. Proceeds from visits ($65 for one child and $10 for each additional child) benefit Toys for Tots. Call (866) 91-BEACH for more information.

Psst, don’t tell anyone, but Santa and Mrs. Claus also like to vacation on the Emerald Coast before starting the long Christmas Eve trek delivering goodies. Join them for free cookie decorating, hot cocoa and fun at the “Alys in Winter Wonderland” on Saturday, December 5, at 3 p.m. in Alys Beach.