Enjoy the Powdery White Sands of the
South Walton Beaches
Offering 26 miles of space to relax and enjoy the sun, the beaches of South Walton are warm and welcoming.
Located on Florida's Panhandle, on the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, South Walton Beaches beckon visitors to come and enjoy a vacation full of sunny days, pristine beaches, arts and culture, and fine dining.
Truly a complete vacation destination, you'll find everything you need for the ideal trip, regardless of the time of year.
Activities
The 26 miles of beaches here are, of course, the main reason for visiting this part of Florida. The thirteen beach communities that make up South Walton all boast something a little different from the rest.
Inlet Beach, for example, is a well-established community of modest homes, making rentals here quite affordable. Seaside is a modern Victorian town, with white picket fences, an ice cream store, a small post office, and small boutiques.
In comparison, Sandestin seems like a sprawling metropolis, with high-rise condos on the waterfront, huge hotels, shopping complexes, and lots of golf courses.
Watersports are quite popular here, not only due to the beaches but also thanks to the many coastal dune lakes that are part of the terrain at the South Walton Beaches area. Boating is quite prevalent, as is fishing. Because of the way in which these lakes intermingle with the Gulf, the marine life here is quite diverse and unusual.
Nearby Deer Lake State Park gives hikers the ideal place to roam and enjoy the local vegetation. With 1,700 acres of old trails, the park is quite popular with trekkers and cyclists, as is Point Washington State Forest, a 15,000-acre area that is home to 10 miles of trails and 10 diverse natural habitats.
For a more leisurely stroll, check out Eden State Gardens. Once home to a wealthy lumber baron, the 12 acres here are strewn with lush floral gardens and plenty of public space for a picnic lunch.
Arts and Culture
Want to make sure a little culture is part of your vacation? No problem. There are plenty of arts and education-related activities to enjoy here.
Visit the Chautauqua Vineyards for a tour of the winery and a fascinating lesson on the history and processes of wine making. Also enjoy a little tasting at this award-winning winery located near the beaches of South Walton.
Because this was once the winter home of New York's Chautauqua Assembly, there's plenty of history to explore here. Try the historic walking tour in DeFuniak Springs, where you'll learn some interesting Florida history and enjoy fine examples of Queen Anne and Victorian architecture.
There are also a few local theater companies in the area that produce shows for both adults and children year round and a number of festivals or special events sponsored here each year.
Accommodations
Scattered throughout the thirteen communities at the beaches of South Walton, you'll find just about every kind of lodging you can imagine. Rentals are abundant throughout the year or, if you prefer, you can choose any number of hotels that are available here, from large 5-star resorts to modest family-owned inns.
During the winter, when the snowbirds flock to the South Walton Beaches, it's best to book a few months ahead so that you have the best choice of accommodations available. However, even if you are a spur-of-the-moment traveler, you shouldn't have any difficulty finding something to your liking because the choices are indeed abundant.