Florida’s 30A – 5 Vacations by Personality
By SALLY WALKER DAVIES
Posted: 2008-05-09 12:29:13
The beach towns and resorts that stretch from Destin along Florida’s scenic route 30A – with 26 miles of sugary white sand beaches and invigorating emerald green waters – are an unrivaled mix of luxurious destinations.
Most of the towns are truly large residential developments, designed in the ‘new urbanism’ approach, meaning each has a town center, encourages you to park the car for the duration, and travel via bike or foot. Town centers are filled with mixed-use buildings of retail, restaurant and lodging space; folks not staying at the resort are welcome to visit the public areas and partake in the many art, music and wine festivals held throughout the year.
Most of the towns are truly large residential developments, designed in the ‘new urbanism’ approach, meaning each has a town center, encourages you to park the car for the duration, and travel via bike or foot. Town centers are filled with mixed-use buildings of retail, restaurant and lodging space; folks not staying at the resort are welcome to visit the public areas and partake in the many art, music and wine festivals held throughout the year.
Choosing where to stay in the Beaches of South Walton, as the collection of towns are called, can be overwhelming. Each of the fourteen towns (which includes one monstrously fun resort, Sandestin), has a flair all its own, so let your vacation personality help drive the decision on where to stay.
Any of the communities can fill just about any requirement, be it quiet time or family fun. And time on the beach is a given, of course. It’s what you do on the beach and off of it that will determine which play-scape is the best fit for the perfect Florida getaway.
All-Out Luxury
The Place To Be: WaterColor
Whether you’re looking for a lush room in a full-service hotel or a cottage that sleeps the entire family in style, WaterColor is a resort where luxury is second nature.
Teak loungers surround the pool at the BeachClub, which overlooks the sparkling Gulf and offers a full service balcony bar to watch the sunset, as well as a casual restaurant for poolside dining.
The Spa at the WaterColor Inn offers full-service treatments, and the on-site restaurants and shops range from Cerulean’s, a wine-bar-coffee-shop-live-music-joint to the white tablecloth dining at Fish out of Water, one of the state’s most coveted dining experiences, to Barefoot Princess and Island Clothiers, a shop full of indulgences for both men and women.
Try the BoatClub for canoeing or kayaking on a coastal dune lake; Old Florida Outfitters can help anglers find the perfect fishing hole, as well as be perfectly outfitted for their casting.
And when the kids aren’t on the beach or in the pool, there’s a camp just for them, with arts and crafts and nature activities.
Romantic Getaway
The Place To Be: Rosemary Beach
Rosemary’s secret paths and shaded walkways are perfect for a romantic stroll; the town’s cozy gatehouses (attached to the larger homes) are the ultimate romantic retreat for two. A room at the Pensione, a small, Italian-flavored bed and breakfast.
Like all the towns, Rosemary is a family destination, but those looking for some time away from the rest of the world will have no problem finding it. Since it’s the second-to-last development along the beach, the sugary sands are typically much less crowded than other spots.
The town’s four pools evoke completely unique atmospheres, and are often sparsely populated, even in the high season.
Share a bottle of wine and a gourmet cheese plate in an intimate setting at Courtyard, or go for white-tablecloth al fresco dining at Onono, or simply bring your own bottle of wine to one of the many decks atop the stairs to the beach to enjoy the sunset.
Go Au Natural
The Place To Be: Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
The white sand dunes at Topsail (pronounced top-sill by locals) reach as high as 25 feet – but the best surprise at this natural area is the wide open space on the beach. There’s more than three miles of protected beach at Topsail, so conditions are rarely crowded.
Three coastal dune lakes yield bass, brem and catfish; boating is not allowed on the lakes but fishing from shore is. And a resident alligator can often be spotted at one of the lakes, so be on the lookout for him.
Nature trails provide over seven miles of hiking possibilities through lush forests of pine and scrub; wildlife are abundant throughout the park and the dune system, and the park is part of the state birding trail.
Activities off the beach include guided nature walks on Saturdays, fresh and salt water fishing (license required), and there’s tennis and shuffleboard at the campground for overnight guests.
While there’s no tent camping at Topsail, there’s plenty of space for RV campers and more than a dozen cabins for weekly rental.
On the Go
The Place To Be: Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort
One can’t really call Sandestin a beach town, although it’s about the size of a small town, and has a few miles of beach as well. Note that Sandestin is not on 30A, but the resort abuts the scenic route, and this being the south, folks just consider it part of the family.
The resort is just that, with accommodations ranging from luxury condos to quaint hotel rooms, towering gulf front condominiums to golf-course view cottages.
And while the towns along 30A all offer a range of activities and services, Sandestin is the Full Monty, so to speak, with everything from championship golf to back bay kayaking, waterslides and putting courses, to raucous nightlife and upscale dining.
For those who like an action-packed vacation, Sandestin is the choice. Water sports take place on both beach and bayside, with kayaks, canoes and wave runners available for use in the Choctawhatchee Bay.
Guided eco-tours are available via wave runners; kayaks and canoes are complimentary, as are bicycles for getting around the resort. On the beach, parasailing is also available.
Like its brethren, Sandestin wants folks to walk and bike the property; those who prefer motorized transport can take advantage of the resort’s trams to move from beach side to bay side.
On the bay, the Village at Baytowne Wharf offers a variety of accommodations – and most importantly, a festive atmosphere of shopping and dining, including dance clubs and live music venues.
Shops and restaurants are housed in everything from colorful fishing shacks to brick New Orleans-style buildings; their wares range from beach gear to upscale clothing, art and top notch pet supplies.
The recently opened Graffiti and Funky Blues Shack offers casual Italian fare on one side, with a blues club on the other. The Village Door is the hot spot for dancing, while Hammerheads’ outdoor seating and beach-style bands bring out the beach blanket bingo types. The other eateries range from take-out burger shacks to sushi bars and steakhouses.
The four golf courses at Sandestin offer 72 holes of challenges; not to be out-done; the tennis center has a combination of clay, hard surface and grass courts.
Family Focused
The Place To Be: Seaside
Seaside is the original new urbanism development, and has dedicated fans who return every year to enjoy its utopia-like family environment.
Kids whiz by on bikes, heading from the beach to the hot dog stand to their cottage, and drivers along 30A always stop for pedestrian or two-wheeled traffic, so worries are few.
The town, which served as the backdrop for The Truman Show, is full of sandy walking paths which meander between cottages, pavilions which stand over the dunes like sentries, and tons of activities for kids and adults alike.
Croquet courts and playgrounds are scattered on the north side of town, with a few bocce courts thrown in the mix. Bicycles are available for exploring, as are three pools, clay and hard tennis courts, and loads of shopping.
The open-air Perspicasity and other stores on the beach side make for delightful browsing. Every dining option is kid-friendly, from the ice cream and snack stands to Bud and Alley’s, where sunsets on the top deck are the most popular daily event.
Any of the communities can fill just about any requirement, be it quiet time or family fun. And time on the beach is a given, of course. It’s what you do on the beach and off of it that will determine which play-scape is the best fit for the perfect Florida getaway.
All-Out Luxury
The Place To Be: WaterColor
Whether you’re looking for a lush room in a full-service hotel or a cottage that sleeps the entire family in style, WaterColor is a resort where luxury is second nature.
Teak loungers surround the pool at the BeachClub, which overlooks the sparkling Gulf and offers a full service balcony bar to watch the sunset, as well as a casual restaurant for poolside dining.
The Spa at the WaterColor Inn offers full-service treatments, and the on-site restaurants and shops range from Cerulean’s, a wine-bar-coffee-shop-live-music-joint to the white tablecloth dining at Fish out of Water, one of the state’s most coveted dining experiences, to Barefoot Princess and Island Clothiers, a shop full of indulgences for both men and women.
Try the BoatClub for canoeing or kayaking on a coastal dune lake; Old Florida Outfitters can help anglers find the perfect fishing hole, as well as be perfectly outfitted for their casting.
And when the kids aren’t on the beach or in the pool, there’s a camp just for them, with arts and crafts and nature activities.
Romantic Getaway
The Place To Be: Rosemary Beach
Rosemary’s secret paths and shaded walkways are perfect for a romantic stroll; the town’s cozy gatehouses (attached to the larger homes) are the ultimate romantic retreat for two. A room at the Pensione, a small, Italian-flavored bed and breakfast.
Like all the towns, Rosemary is a family destination, but those looking for some time away from the rest of the world will have no problem finding it. Since it’s the second-to-last development along the beach, the sugary sands are typically much less crowded than other spots.
The town’s four pools evoke completely unique atmospheres, and are often sparsely populated, even in the high season.
Share a bottle of wine and a gourmet cheese plate in an intimate setting at Courtyard, or go for white-tablecloth al fresco dining at Onono, or simply bring your own bottle of wine to one of the many decks atop the stairs to the beach to enjoy the sunset.
Go Au Natural
The Place To Be: Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
The white sand dunes at Topsail (pronounced top-sill by locals) reach as high as 25 feet – but the best surprise at this natural area is the wide open space on the beach. There’s more than three miles of protected beach at Topsail, so conditions are rarely crowded.
Three coastal dune lakes yield bass, brem and catfish; boating is not allowed on the lakes but fishing from shore is. And a resident alligator can often be spotted at one of the lakes, so be on the lookout for him.
Nature trails provide over seven miles of hiking possibilities through lush forests of pine and scrub; wildlife are abundant throughout the park and the dune system, and the park is part of the state birding trail.
Activities off the beach include guided nature walks on Saturdays, fresh and salt water fishing (license required), and there’s tennis and shuffleboard at the campground for overnight guests.
While there’s no tent camping at Topsail, there’s plenty of space for RV campers and more than a dozen cabins for weekly rental.
On the Go
The Place To Be: Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort
One can’t really call Sandestin a beach town, although it’s about the size of a small town, and has a few miles of beach as well. Note that Sandestin is not on 30A, but the resort abuts the scenic route, and this being the south, folks just consider it part of the family.
The resort is just that, with accommodations ranging from luxury condos to quaint hotel rooms, towering gulf front condominiums to golf-course view cottages.
And while the towns along 30A all offer a range of activities and services, Sandestin is the Full Monty, so to speak, with everything from championship golf to back bay kayaking, waterslides and putting courses, to raucous nightlife and upscale dining.
For those who like an action-packed vacation, Sandestin is the choice. Water sports take place on both beach and bayside, with kayaks, canoes and wave runners available for use in the Choctawhatchee Bay.
Guided eco-tours are available via wave runners; kayaks and canoes are complimentary, as are bicycles for getting around the resort. On the beach, parasailing is also available.
Like its brethren, Sandestin wants folks to walk and bike the property; those who prefer motorized transport can take advantage of the resort’s trams to move from beach side to bay side.
On the bay, the Village at Baytowne Wharf offers a variety of accommodations – and most importantly, a festive atmosphere of shopping and dining, including dance clubs and live music venues.
Shops and restaurants are housed in everything from colorful fishing shacks to brick New Orleans-style buildings; their wares range from beach gear to upscale clothing, art and top notch pet supplies.
The recently opened Graffiti and Funky Blues Shack offers casual Italian fare on one side, with a blues club on the other. The Village Door is the hot spot for dancing, while Hammerheads’ outdoor seating and beach-style bands bring out the beach blanket bingo types. The other eateries range from take-out burger shacks to sushi bars and steakhouses.
The four golf courses at Sandestin offer 72 holes of challenges; not to be out-done; the tennis center has a combination of clay, hard surface and grass courts.
Family Focused
The Place To Be: Seaside
Seaside is the original new urbanism development, and has dedicated fans who return every year to enjoy its utopia-like family environment.
Kids whiz by on bikes, heading from the beach to the hot dog stand to their cottage, and drivers along 30A always stop for pedestrian or two-wheeled traffic, so worries are few.
The town, which served as the backdrop for The Truman Show, is full of sandy walking paths which meander between cottages, pavilions which stand over the dunes like sentries, and tons of activities for kids and adults alike.
Croquet courts and playgrounds are scattered on the north side of town, with a few bocce courts thrown in the mix. Bicycles are available for exploring, as are three pools, clay and hard tennis courts, and loads of shopping.
The open-air Perspicasity and other stores on the beach side make for delightful browsing. Every dining option is kid-friendly, from the ice cream and snack stands to Bud and Alley’s, where sunsets on the top deck are the most popular daily event.
2007-04-30 17:26:37
