1. Destin Beaches West
Destin Beaches West features the resort areas along the Destin Harbor and Holiday Isle as well as the beachfront properties on the west end including the Pelican Beach Resort, Sterling Shores and Sundestin International. A three-mile long peninsula, Holiday Isle is popular among beachgoers and boaters due to easy access to both the gulf and the harbor. Holiday Isle offers a peaceful escape and laid back atmosphere sheltered from the heavy traffic and lively hotspots of downtown Destin. The Destin Harbor is anchored by Emerald Grande, an expansive condominium development with spectacular water views and the HarborWalk Village town center. Harbor properties range from luxury condominiums with boat slips and amenities to private residences. Home to one of the largest fishing fleets in Florida, the Destin Harbor is just ten miles from the 100 fathom curve providing the fastest deep water gulf access in the state.
2. West Destin
Once a sleepy fishing village, the city of Destin has grown into a world class resort destination complete with premier dining, shopping, golfing and recreational options for its guests and residents. Largely residential, West Destin is characterized by quiet family neighborhoods of all price points including Kell-Aire Gardens, Indian Trail and Destin Oaks. Enjoy the waterfront lifestyle to its fullest with premium bay and bayou front homes on both Joe’s Bayou and Indian Bayou. West Destin includes public parks like Clement Taylor with a playground and a swimming beach on the bay, Joe’s Bayou Boat Launch offering easy access for boaters heading to Crab Island and the Destin Harbor and the Destin Dog Park where all well-behaved canine friends are welcome to play free of charge. Just minutes away is the Destin Harbor and public beach access at Norriego Point.
3. Destin Beaches East
Inviting sugar sand beaches and shining turquoise waters along with ample opportunities for activities, dining and shopping make the East Destin Beaches a popular destination among visitors to Northwest Florida. Including the beautiful Crystal Beach community with its cheerful coastal cottages painted in a sunny palette, the East Destin Beaches offer differing residential options from established efficiency condominiums to new luxury developments like 1900 Ninety Eight to private beach homes of all sizes. Henderson Beach State Park with over 6,000 feet of undeveloped coastline is a favorite spot to enjoy the area’s natural beauty with nature trails, campsites, pavilions and a playground. Local seafood restaurants serve up fresh gulf seafood, many located directly on the beach, and the nearby Destin Commons lifestyle center offers the latest trends in shopping along with bowling, play areas and events.
4. Destiny
The gated Destiny community includes four distinct districts Destiny East, Destiny West, Destiny by the Sea and Destiny Shores. Located entirely south of Highway 98 in Destin by Crystal Beach, Destiny owners enjoy outstanding amenities including private beach access, a clubhouse, a fitness center, a theater, swimming pools, lighted tennis courts, a playground and a basketball court. Primarily single family homes of varying styles and sizes, Destiny also has a limited about of duplex villas located directly on Scenic Highway 98. With its central Destin location near shopping, dining and activities including the bustling lifestyle center of Destin Commons, Destiny is an appealing community for both full time residents and seasonal visitors.
5. Kelly Plantation
Exuding elegance and style, Kelly Plantation is a 900-acre estate community situated in central Destin on the Choctawhatchee Bay. This amenity rich neighborhood offers an upscale lifestyle just minutes away popular Destin attractions and the Gulf of Mexico. At the heart of the community is a championship caliber golf course designed to complement the native landscape of marsh and forest. Owners have access to amenities including a club house with restaurant, a beautiful swimming pool, a fitness center, tennis courts, walking trails and riding stables. An array of residential options is available for owners including luxury townhomes, sophisticated single family homes and exquisite private estates.
6. Regatta Bay
Regatta Bay is an East Destin golf course community located entirely on the north side of Highway 98 along the shores of the Choctawhatchee Bay. This luxurious gated community is situated on 120 acres of protected woodlands with 28 acres of lakes and is just a short drive away from popular activities including the Destin Commons lifestyle center, the beach and many diverse dining options. Homeowners enjoy amenities such as an onsite championship golf course, a community swimming pool, a playground, tennis courts and a 16,000 square foot clubhouse with restaurant. Regatta Bay offers single family homes ranging from charming golf villas to spacious waterfront residences.
7. Miramar Beach
A vibrant beach community located at the western boundary of South Walton, Miramar Beach is a popular destination for both young and old. A mix of high rise condominiums boasting beautiful views, townhomes nestled by the Gulf of Mexico and traditional beach homes and neighborhoods makes Miramar Beach a great choice for buyers of all types. Its central location allows for easy travel to both the 30A beach communities and Destin yet Miramar offers everything needed within its boundaries including a gorgeous stretch of coastline, a unique selection of restaurants and multiple shopping opportunities such as the Silver Sands Premium Outlets. Miramar Beach is home to many top resorts including the golf and tennis communities of Seascape and Emerald Bay, and the tennis resort Hidden Dunes.
8. Sandestin
Located on 2,400 acres of land both north and south of Highway 98 at the eastern edge of Miramar Beach, the sprawling destination resort of Sandestin offers something to suit everyone from young families to retirees and everything in between. Sandestin is an inclusive gated resort community with nearly every amenity imaginable within a quick golf cart ride away. Enjoy championship golf courses, a 113-slip marina, a fitness center, tennis courts, swimming pools, trails and town centers with shopping and dining. Residential opportunities vary from expansive bay front retreats to villas on the green to gulf front condominiums. The Baytowne Marina attracts both locals and visitors with annual events and festivals, plentiful children’s activities and nightlife while Grand Boulevard offers conveniences including a Publix grocery store, multiple restaurants and varied shopping.
9. TOPS’L Beach and Racquet Club
TOPS’L Beach and Racquet Club is a private gated resort located entirely on the beachside of Highway 98 between Santa Rosa Beach and Sandestin. With over 600’ of frontage on the Gulf of Mexico and the protected Topsail Hill Preserve State Park as its eastern neighbor, TOPS’L offers a both feeling of seclusion and extraordinary views. Residences vary from multi-level condominiums to traditional townhomes to single family homes in the Sierra Dunes neighborhood. The award-winning tennis facilities offer certified professional tennis instructors on staff, programs for all ages, a racquetball court, an indoor-outdoor pool and sauna. Additional amenities include a fully equipped fitness center, swimming pools, an onsite restaurant and gated security entrance. TOPS’L is just a short drive away from the 30A beach communities of South Walton, Miramar Beach and Destin.
10. Santa Rosa Beach
Santa Rosa Beach is a well-established South Walton community that encompasses areas located both north and south of Highway 98. The beachside features breathtaking stretches of coastline, public beach access, dining, shopping and a wide variety of homes, condominiums and town homes. Popular beach neighborhoods include Gulf Place, an active resort area with a town center and events lawn that hosts concerts and festivals. The northern side of Santa Rosa Beach is largely residential with public bay access at historic Hogtown Bayou. A range of neighborhoods with homes at all price points are available including Churchill Oaks, Church Street Village and Eagle Bay. The Mack Bayou area located by Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast features many popular residential neighborhoods such as Botany Bayou, Carson Oaks and Driftwood Estates.
11. Blue Mountain Beach
Boasting some of the highest elevations found along the Northwest Florida coast, Blue Mountain Beach is named for the blue lupine flowers that create a seasonal bright blue covering of the dunes. This quiet beach community is located along the western end of Scenic Highway 30A and offers a mix of luxury condominiums, elegant gulf front residences, charming Old Florida cottages and low rise townhomes. An unassuming town center features the area’s oldest organic grocery store, an eclectic collection of shops, an ice cream parlor and a mix of restaurants offering anything from fresh local seafood to Asian inspired cuisine. Popular area developments include Adagio, Bella Vita, Redfish Village and the Village at Blue Mountain Beach.
12. Grayton Beach
Grayton Beach radiates an Old Florida aura with its charming live oak lined streets of mostly wood cottage style homes in muted colors. The unofficial town motto of “Nice Dogs, Friendly People” welcomes visitors into this historic community where lifelong residents tell tales of the good old days to relaxed visitors soaking up the scene at one of the area’s most well-known restaurants, The Red Bar. The public beach access at Grayton is unique in that properly permitted 4WD vehicles may drive directly onto the beach, one of only two locations in Walton County where this is allowed. The Grayton Beach State Park borders the community to both the east and the west offering beautiful stretches of undeveloped coastline while the area’s largest coastal dune lake, Western Lake, provides a peaceful spot for paddling and fishing.
13. WaterColor
A master planned resort community founded by Florida landholder, The St. Joe Company, WaterColor is a Southern-style family destination where bicycle is the most popular way to travel. The nostalgic architecture style incorporates spacious covered porches, soothing coastal colors and metal roofs with beach homes that vary from small cottages to expansive gulf or lakeside residences complete with carriage homes and private swimming pools. A select offering of condominiums is available on both the north and south side of Scenic Highway 30A while the gulf front Watercolor Inn offers a luxurious resort experience. The community features an array of upscale amenities including a gulf front beach club, a boathouse with dock, a tennis center, multiple swimming pools, a kids camp, nature trails and community parks and green spaces.
14. Seaside
With its charming brick-lined streets and cheerfully painted coastal cottages, the iconic town of Seaside set the precedent for all future development along Scenic Highway 30A. Nestled on 80 acres, the community was master-planned to promote a pedestrian lifestyle and became a pioneer of the New Urbanist movement across the nation. A lively town center attracts visitors from near and far with varied dining, boutique shopping, a weekly farmers market and popular annual festivals and events. Community amenities include three swimming pools, a playground, a fitness center, a croquet lawn and six Har-Tru HydroCourts tennis courts. Seaside is also a cultural hub for South Walton with the area’s only professional theater company, a highly regarded charter middle school and the Seaside Institute, a non-profit organization that sponsors performing and visual arts, literary events and educational programs.
15. Alys Beach
A grand entry of tall palm trees and stark white butteries welcomes residents and guests into the upscale paradise of Alys Beach. Inspired by Bermudan and Mediterranean architecture, this upscale master-planned community is designed to exude luxury in everything from its homes to its amenities. The concrete construction homes are built to last, meeting the highest standards of the Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) and recognized at the first Fortified community in the U.S. Three residential home styles are featured: the courtyard, the compound and the villa with all three types reflecting an elegant and modern design aesthetic. Onsite amenities include the circular 100-foot infinity edge Caliza Pool and Restaurant, two tennis courts, a community amphitheater for events, a fitness center and a walking trail.
16. Rosemary Beach
Resting at the eastern end of Scenic Highway 30A is the distinctive town of Rosemary Beach, a 107-acre property featuring a quaint West Indies-inspired ambiance. Another New Urbanist style 30A community, Rosemary Beach offers both spacious single family homes and luxury condominiums designed to suit varying needs and preferences. The romantic brick lined streets lead to winding wood plank pathways that end at a stunning private beach. Foot or bicycle is the preferred way to explore the boutiques, coffee shops and restaurants that create the town center located on both the north and south sides of Scenic Highway 30A. An upscale gulf side inn, The Pearl with onsite Havana Beach Bar and Grill offers a hip poolside bar and hangout with views of the Gulf of Mexico popular with locals and visitors alike. Amenities include tennis courts, swimming pools, a fitness center and community greens.
17. Point Washington
Nestled along the shore of the Choctawhatchee Bay in east South Walton, the Point Washington community is a long established residential area just a short drive from Grayton Beach, Seaside and WaterColor. A historical area, Point Washington is home to the 163-acre Eden Gardens State Park featuring the Wesley House, a plantation mansion dating back to 1897. The landscape is defined by winding live oak trees draped in Spanish moss and most homes feature an Old Florida cottage style architecture with metal roofs and covered porches. The protected Point Washington State Forest allows for nature exploration with driving and walking trails available for public use while Bay Elementary and a few area churches make this community popular among families. Neighborhoods include the Daughettes, Bay Magnolia, The Woods and Audubon Point.