Miramar to Seagrove Beach

Beach Overview

   One of the most beautiful parts of the Panhandle is an area called the Beaches of South Walton. Located in Walton County, the beaches lie along Scenic 30-A, a two-lane road lined with cottages, locally owned eateries, shops, and art galleries. You won't find a chain motel or fast food restaurant anywhere along the road and no water slides, miniature golf courses, or souvenir emporiums either.

You will find Grayton Beach State Park, a 1,133-acre preserve that includes a mile of beach and parts of Western Lake, one of several coastal dune lakes found only in Walton County and nowhere else in the country. Nestled in the pines and oaks around the lake are 37 campsites equipped with electricity, picnic tables, grills, and water. We've camped here in the summer but in fall prefer the two-bedroom cabins.

One of my favorite beaches is in Seaside, a little town of cotton candy-colored frame cottages with gingerbread trim and white picket fences. The nouveau-Victorian community has redbrick sidewalks that wind by pastel buildings and picket fences. Each narrow brick-paved street leads to the gulf by way of a whimsical beach pavilion, and everything from the post office and gourmet grocery to the restaurants and swimming pools is within walking distance. Take a break from the beach and visit Eden State Gardens and Mansion, a historic site just a few miles from Seaside. You can tour the Greek Revival mansion overlooking Choctawhatchee Bay and stroll through the camellia gardens that bloom in February or enjoy the azalea display in March.

   The community of WaterColor is Seaside's next-door neighbor. This is another interesting community that you won't want to miss. Again, the beaches are beautiful here in this area.

  Rosemary Beach is another little town on 30-A, the architecture has the flare of the French West Indies or New Orleans, but the wide beaches with high dunes covered in wild rosemary and Gulf Coast lupines are pure Panhandle.

   You can't go wrong if you decide to make this your beach vacation destination. This is a quite area in between Destin and Panama City Beach where relaxation abounds.