Beachgoers love direct access to the sugar-white sand and turquoise waters of South Walton.
South Walton, Florida allures beachgoers to 26 miles of the planet’s most pristine sugar-white sand and aquamarine water along the Gulf of Mexico. Whether you enjoy sharing a glass of wine with a loved one while the sun sets on the horizon, hiking or biking with your family on over 200 miles of trails in four state parks and the Point Washington State Forest, or dining at award-winning restaurants, you’ll find that the 16 distinct beach towns, each with their own pomp and panache, offer travelers plenty of things to do, see, and eat. For the traditional resort experience, where everything you need will be at your fingertips, choose Sandestin as your home base.
How to Get There
Daily flights are available from most major cities, including Atlanta, Houston, Chicago, Washington, Dallas, Nashville, Baltimore, and Orlando. When you arrive at Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport, you’ll simply drive 24 miles to Sandestin, located along US Hwy 98. Other airports in the Florida panhandle include Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport in Panama City and Pensacola Regional Municipal Airport.
Upcoming Events to Consider
South Walton is home to an incredible array of events that celebrate local artisans, culture, and the quintessential beach life along 30A. From farmer’s markets to live music to art festivals, there’s plenty to do in the area during the remaining weeks of spring.
The Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam, located in Panama City Beach, will host country music stars, Luke Bryan, Brad Paisley, and Lynyrd Skynyrd, June 4—6.
The UNwineD Grand Tasting, is a two-day jubilee celebrating chef-driven bites, craft beer, wine and cocktails at Aaron Bessant Park at Panama City Beach, on June 4 and 5.
The Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic, which takes place June 23—27, stages world-class sportfishing tournaments, where evening weigh-ins take place at Baytowne Marina in Sandestin.
Other popular year-round happenings include the 30A Songwriters Festival (January), Digital Graffiti (May) and Sandestin Wine Festival (April).
Visiting Baytowne Wharf
The Village of Baytowne Wharf, Florida.
Operating as the only marina in the area, The Village of Baytowne Wharf is your go-to place for inventive dining at over 20 different eateries, one-of-a-kind shopping experiences, family-friendly activities, and enthusing nightlife.
Shop
Peruse unique goods in the multi-hued boutiques of Artful Soap Co., The Candymaker, Emerald Coast Art Gallery, Rockwell Tharp Ladies Boutique, and more.
Play
Bring the kids to Adventureland Playground so they can swing, pounce, and bounce around outside. For ziplining and a ropes course, check out the Baytowne Adventure Zone. Select an animal and ride the Baytowne Carousel. Listen to live music, presented by Baytowne LIVE, on the grassy lawn. Play carnival games and earn prizes at Blast Arcade and Laser Maze. Enjoy a plethora of activities and events during the next several weeks and into the summer months like firework displays, magic shows, live music, and outdoor movies.
Where to Stay
Sandestin
The resort community of Sandestin offers something for everyone, easily accessible via the complimentary Sandestin Tram. Whether you love to move your body in the outdoors with golf, tennis, or swimming, or indulge in some retail therapy and entertainment, you’ll find that there’s no shortage of fun things to do.
For accommodations right on the beach, look no further than Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa where all guest rooms have a private balcony with a view. This full-service beachfront resort offers guests two outdoor swimming pools and one indoor pool, whirlpools, a large deck for enjoying an early morning coffee or mid-afternoon sunbathing, a 24-hour fitness center, and the Serenity by the Sea Spa.
You’ll, of course, find plenty of places to fill your belly at the resort as well, including in-room dining, beach service, a grab-and-go market, a coffee shop, Barefoots Beachside Bar & Grill, Hadashi Sushi Bar, and Sandcastles Restaurant and Lounge. Make reservations and dine at the award winning Seagar’s Prime Steaks & Seafood, Destin’s only AAA Four-Diamond steakhouse. Don’t skip the wine here either—there are over 600 wine labels to choose from.
Families will be well taken care of at this resort. Request a beach set up with chairs, sun umbrella, and towels or a pool-side cabana to ensure that you have some protection from the sun as well as a great place to nap or relax with your kids in tow. Consider booking a Deluxe Junior Suite, which includes a separate kid-friendly sleeping area with a bunk bed and television. For kids ages 5—12, take part in the Kids Krew, which offers daily programming during the summer season like Wild West Showdown and Superhero Saturday.
Near the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, you’ll find four championship golf courses, 15 tennis courts, shopping at Grand Boulevard and Silver Sands Premium Outlets, and more than 60 art galleries and studios.
Beyond the Beach
Longleaf pine trees at Grayton Beach State Park.
Fully immersing yourself in the area’s natural landscapes is a must-do activity when visiting South Walton, one of the few destinations in existence that is home to coastal dune lakes (Deer Lake State Park is a great place to see one of the 15 atypical coastal dune lakes in Florida’s panhandle). Hikers will love exploring Topsail Hill Preserve State Park’s Morris Lake Trail, Old Growth Trail, Deer Track Trail, Salamander Pond Trail, Campbell Lake Trail, and Beach Tram Path. Traveling parallel to Scenic Highway 30A, Timpoochee Trail, an 18.5 mile path that starts at Dune Allen and finishes at Inlet Beach through 12 of South Walton’s 16 beach communities, is perfect for bike riders. Grayton Beach State Park is a bird watching paradise. Go outside and see for yourself why people keep coming back to the beach neighborhoods of South Walton.
