Late fall is one of the best times of year to visit South Walton, due to the lighter crowds, a climate still mild enough for beachcombing and the tilt of the earth's axis that allows for remarkable sunsets over the Gulf.
It is also a good time to explore South Walton's natural treasures, especially the coastal dune lakes, a rare type of lake that connects with the ocean through small channels that open and close intermittently.
Walton County, located between Panama City Beach and Destin in the northwest Florida Panhandle, contains a 26-mile long stretch of coast on the Gulf of Mexico with an enticing collection of beach communities, resorts, state parks and rare coastal dune lakes. The area is known collectively as South Walton. A band of fine white quartz sand runs the entire length of the county's coastline, much of it protected from development as part of the state park system. Grayton Beach State Recreation Area has been named "America's Best Beach" by environmental coastal scientist Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, aka Dr. Beach, is his annual beach survey.
Outside of state lands, a series of master-planned developments have sprung up along County Road 30-A, a designated Florida Scenic Highway. The vanguard in this New Urbanism movement is Seaside, developed in the 1980s. After the success of Seaside, other pedestrian-friendly live/work/vacation developments blossomed, such as Rosemary Beach, Alys Beach (pronounced Alice) and Watercolor. The communities of Grayton Beach and Seagrove existed long before the modern developments and have been favorite family vacation destinations for generations. Old-school Florida charm still exists along highway 30-A, now blended with smart-growth modernism.
At the westernmost end of South Walton's coast you'll find Sandestin, a resort large enough to be a small county unto itself. Founded in the the early 1970s, Sandestin's 2,400 acres range from the beach to the bay. Don't let the security gate houses fool you, the general public is welcome to visit Sandestin. Tell the guard you want to visit Baytowne Village and you'll be pointed in the right direction. The Village of Baytowne Wharf is an open-air dining and entertainment complex on the bay, family-friendly by day, more adult-oriented by night.
Explore the placid lakes of South Walton on a stand up paddleboard. kYolo Board, a company based thereoffers rentals, lessons and guided tours of the coastal dune lakes, even in cooler weather, since you don't get wet paddleboarding on the lakes. Call 850-622-5760 or visit www.yoloboard.com for more info.
If you go
South Walton is just under a six-hour drive from Atlanta. Take I-85 S to Montgomery, then US 331 S to South Walton. Delta and Vision Airlines offer non-stop service between Hartsfield-Jackson and Northwest Florida Regional Airport in Ft. Walton, a short drive away from South Walton. The in-air flight time is around 40-45 minutes.
Stay
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. A wide variety of accommodations are available on the beach side and the bay side of the resort. Choose from condominiums, villas, town homes and hotels, including the resort's signature property, the luxurious and classically Southern styled Grand Sandestin. Resort guests have complimentary access to bicycles, tennis courts, the fitness center, shuttle transportation and kayaks. For rates and reservations call 1-800-622-1038; browse the properties and book online at www.sandestin.com.
The Pensione. This small 11-room bed and breakfast in Rosemary Beach is modeled after European family-run inns. The building is steps away from the beach, the rooms above boutique shops and restaurants. 78 Main St., Rosemary Beach. 866-348-8952, www.rosemarybeach.com/pensione-rosemary-beach.aspx
Eat
Bud & Alley's. One of the more popular places to watch the sun sink slowly into the Gulf is from the deck of the rooftop bar at this legendary beachside establishment. There's a fine dining room downstairs serving gourmet coastal fare. Guess the correct time of the sunset on the chalkboard next to the bar and win a free drink. 2236 E. County Road 30-A, Seaside. 850-231-5900, www.budandalleys.com.
Numerous dining options are available in The Village of Baytowne Wharf on the bay side of Sandestin next to The Grand, including causual dockside dining at Hammerhead's Bar & Grille, breakfast/brunch/lunch at Another Broken Egg Café and fine dining at Bistro Bijoux.
Visitor info
South Walton Visitor Information Center. 25777 U.S. 331 South, Santa Rosa Beach (at the intersection with US 98). Open daily , 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 1-800-822-6877, www.visitsouthwalton.com.
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