JoshMclean
01-24-2007, 01:00 PM
Beaches of South Walton Tucked away in northwest Florida's panhandle are 13 communities known for sugar-white sand beaches, emerald-green waters, exceptional dining and artistic treasures in the one-of-a-kind shops. Life here is slow and easy - even when the streets are filled with visitors.
Here are our top 10 activities for the area:
1. Enjoy a cool breeze from a weather-beaten, double-wide porch swing at Jolee Island Nature Park - a rustic five-acre park with a pirate-ship shaped playground and a mile-long trail. You can watch ripples on Horseshoe Bayou. This is in Sandestin near the Baytowne Marina.
2. If you like whimsical and au natural then stop by Grayton Beach. It is a little beach community off Scenic 30-A; it's more than 100 years old and is characterized by wooden houses of weathered cypress and bordered by sand streets. The State Park, by the same name, has 1,133-acres of natural beauty. You can follow a self-guided trail and get an up-close look at the ecological diversity found in the area including sand dunes, the coastal Dune Lake, flatwoods, marsh areas and the snow-white beaches.
3. Rare wildlife like gopher tortoises and red-cockaded woodpeckers roam and live among the trees at Point Washington State Forest, a 15,000-acre reserve off Emerald Coast Parkway in Santa Rosa. It is home to 10 miles of trails and has 10 nature habitats. Get trail maps from the visitors center. 850-231-5800.
4. There is nothing like a stately turn-of-the-century mansion amongst azaleas, camellias and towering Spanish-moss-draped live oaks. Eden State Gardens dates back more than 600 years. There are guided tours. It is one mile north of U.S. 98 on County Road 395. Call 850-231-4214. There is an admission fee.
5. Classic best describes the Village of Seagrove. This beachside community dates from the 1940s. There's the beach, canoeing or kayaking and naturally lots of sand to build sandcastles. It's next door to Seaside.
6. Biking is easy along the bike trail of Scenic 30-A. This bike trail winds along pristine fresh water lakes, quiet communities, undeveloped woodlands and beach areas. Paths are constructed from Blue Mountain Beach to Inlet Beach, except where pedestrian sidewalks exist. Nine miles are off-road, and a majority of the rest of the 18-mile stretch is connected to the highway.
7. Cobblestone streets lined with shops, galleries and eateries that serve upscale, world-class foods is what you'll find at Seaside. This community was popular before becoming the backdrop for movie Truman.
8. While you're at Seaside stroll the sand bluffs. They are some of the tallest sand dunes and bluffs in north Florida. You'll see sea oats and other rare species. Look, but don't touch.
9. In all the country there are only two perfectly round, God-made lakes and one of them is in North Florida - Lake DeFuniak. Walking around it is like going back into Victorian times thanks to the elaborate architecture of the surrounding houses. To get there take Highway 331.
10. When it's time to shop and eat, head over to the Silver Sands Factory Stores. You'll find more than 100 designer-name stores in this Sandestin shopping haven. It's conveniently located on Highway 98, eight miles east of Destin. 10562 Emerald Coast Parkway.
Here are our top 10 activities for the area:
1. Enjoy a cool breeze from a weather-beaten, double-wide porch swing at Jolee Island Nature Park - a rustic five-acre park with a pirate-ship shaped playground and a mile-long trail. You can watch ripples on Horseshoe Bayou. This is in Sandestin near the Baytowne Marina.
2. If you like whimsical and au natural then stop by Grayton Beach. It is a little beach community off Scenic 30-A; it's more than 100 years old and is characterized by wooden houses of weathered cypress and bordered by sand streets. The State Park, by the same name, has 1,133-acres of natural beauty. You can follow a self-guided trail and get an up-close look at the ecological diversity found in the area including sand dunes, the coastal Dune Lake, flatwoods, marsh areas and the snow-white beaches.
3. Rare wildlife like gopher tortoises and red-cockaded woodpeckers roam and live among the trees at Point Washington State Forest, a 15,000-acre reserve off Emerald Coast Parkway in Santa Rosa. It is home to 10 miles of trails and has 10 nature habitats. Get trail maps from the visitors center. 850-231-5800.
4. There is nothing like a stately turn-of-the-century mansion amongst azaleas, camellias and towering Spanish-moss-draped live oaks. Eden State Gardens dates back more than 600 years. There are guided tours. It is one mile north of U.S. 98 on County Road 395. Call 850-231-4214. There is an admission fee.
5. Classic best describes the Village of Seagrove. This beachside community dates from the 1940s. There's the beach, canoeing or kayaking and naturally lots of sand to build sandcastles. It's next door to Seaside.
6. Biking is easy along the bike trail of Scenic 30-A. This bike trail winds along pristine fresh water lakes, quiet communities, undeveloped woodlands and beach areas. Paths are constructed from Blue Mountain Beach to Inlet Beach, except where pedestrian sidewalks exist. Nine miles are off-road, and a majority of the rest of the 18-mile stretch is connected to the highway.
7. Cobblestone streets lined with shops, galleries and eateries that serve upscale, world-class foods is what you'll find at Seaside. This community was popular before becoming the backdrop for movie Truman.
8. While you're at Seaside stroll the sand bluffs. They are some of the tallest sand dunes and bluffs in north Florida. You'll see sea oats and other rare species. Look, but don't touch.
9. In all the country there are only two perfectly round, God-made lakes and one of them is in North Florida - Lake DeFuniak. Walking around it is like going back into Victorian times thanks to the elaborate architecture of the surrounding houses. To get there take Highway 331.
10. When it's time to shop and eat, head over to the Silver Sands Factory Stores. You'll find more than 100 designer-name stores in this Sandestin shopping haven. It's conveniently located on Highway 98, eight miles east of Destin. 10562 Emerald Coast Parkway.