Beaches of South Walton

Your Special Unique Destination

Many of Beaches of South Walton's residents and visitors talk about the "soul" of this special 26-mile stretch of paradise. What makes this place so unique? Why do people return year after year? Here's a look at a few of the things that set this destination apart from all others:

Fun in the sun — Beaches of South Walton offers 145 holes of championship golf all concentrated along a 12-mile stretch of the Gulf of Mexico, including Sandestin's Burnt Pine Golf Club, Links, and Baytowne - all named as Golf Digest's "Best Places to Play." Sandestin opened its fourth course. The Raven Golf Course, in 2000 and it has already been voted best new course in the state. Tennis is also a popular sport at Beaches of South Walton with over 49 courts open to the public. Whether you are a tennis pro or just learning the game, you'll find all levels of play available on hard, clay, and even the only Wimbledon-style grass courts in North Florida. It wouldn't be the beach without water sports and visitors to Beaches of South Walton can find plenty of ways to "get their feet wet." Home to the Gulf of Mexico, 17 fresh and saltwater lakes, and the Choctawhatchee Bay, visitors can enjoy fishing, boating, kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving and, of course, sunbathing.

Shopping & dining paradise — Shopping and dining have become art forms in Beaches of South Walton. You will find everything from quaint antique shops along the South Walton Antique Trail to the largest designer factory outlet center in the nation. You won't want to miss Seaside's open-air market and artists colony or the many shops that are part of The Market at Sandestin. Art galleries are also plentiful throughout Beaches of South Walton. After a day of shopping, nothing is better than a great meal. South Walton is home to more than 70 restaurants offering everything from fresh Gulf seafood to Caribbean Creole cuisine. (And since you're in the south, you can also expect to eat some of the best Southern-style cooking you have ever had.) Seven of Florida Trends' top 200 restaurants in the state are located in Beaches of South Walton including Bud & Alley's, Cafe Thirty-A, Seagar's, Elephant Walk, and Sander's. We are also proud to be the home of Criolla's, voted one of the top 400 restaurants in the world by Wine Spectator.

Eco-tourism opportunities — Our five state parks and miles of nature trails are perfect for those who prefer hiking and biking over swimming and sunbathing. Dunes, pine flatwoods and salt marshes provide a safe haven for an abundance of plants, birds and other wildlife, including several endangered and threatened species. Nature trails at Grayton Beach State Park, Topsail Hill State Preserve, Point Washington State Forest and Cassine Gardens offer wonderful opportunities to observe flora and fauna. The eco-opportunities along Beaches of South Walton don't end on land. South Walton is home to 17 fresh and saltwater lakes as well as the Choctawhatchee Bay. These waters are a haven for fishermen and kayakers.

Year-round destination — When you hear the word '"beach" you think of summer. And, naturally, summer is the peak season along Beaches of South Walton. However, fall and winter are quickly becoming popular due to the many "perks" this time of year offers. Rates drop, sunsets are spectacular, temperatures are mild, crowds are few, and festivals are plentiful.

Historic beach towns — Beaches of South Walton offers visitors the opportunity to explore turn-of-the- century Florida Panhandle architecture amidst the beautiful grounds of Eden State Gardens and the Wesley Mansion in Point Washington — one of the first towns established in the area. Visitors can also tour the 100-year-old community of Grayton Beach characterized by wooden houses made of weathered cypress and bordered by sand streets and an abundance of trees. The natives are friendly so make yourself at home.

Attractions off-the-beaten-path — Looking for the unusual and eclectic? Don't miss The Gourd Garden and Curiosity Shop located on Scenic Hwy 30-A. Two white doves will greet you as you enter this soothing garden retreat featuring decorative gourds, art, herbs and flowers from the Deep South. Travel County Road 393 North and discover Bayou Arts & Antiques with its antique fishing boat display, wildlife chapel and quaint pet cemetery, all located on the scenic shore of Hogtown Bayou at Cessna Park.

Other side of the dunes — The town of DeFuniak Springs was founded in the early 1880's and was chosen as a winter home for the New York Chautauqua in 1884. DeFuniak Springs is home to many treasures. Lake DeFuniak is one of the only two almost perfectly round lakes in the country. A walk around this lake is like a walk back into Victorian times when labor and material were plentiful and elaborate architectural details were incorporated in the homes being built. The Chautauqua Hall Auditorium was built in 1909 and hosted the Florida Chautauqua cultural and educational programs until the Great Depression. The Walton-DeFuniak Library, built in 1887, is the oldest library in the State of Florida still serving the public. The Murray Theater better known today as the Ritz Theater, was built in 1921. Today, with community support and a grant from the Florida Department of State, Division of Historic Resources, the theater has been renovated to its original splendor. Built in 1920, Hotel DeFuniak is rich in the history and traditions of this Northwest Florida Chautauqua town. The charmingly restored boutique hotel is set in the distinctive, historic, downtown business district of DeFuniak Springs.

South Walton, Florida - When you hear the word '"beach" you think of summer. And, naturally, summer is the peak season along Beaches of South Walton. However, fall and winter are quickly becoming popular due to the many "perks" this time of year offers. Rates drop, sunsets are spectacular, temperatures are mild, crowds are few, and festivals are plentiful.

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