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The
Beaches of South Walton are reminiscent of being on the islands,
without the bother and outlay of leaving the mainland.
Scenic-30A accommodates 12 unique South Walton communities, each
with its own distinctive character.
For instance, Rosemary Beach is suggestive of the West
Indies, while Alys Beach is indicative of the white-washed buildings
found in Bermuda, and Seaside is based on the traditional
cracker-style cottages of the past with deep roof overhangs and wide
porches. Many of the
communities were founded on the principles of New Urbanism and
traditional neighborhood development.
Not
only do the communities replicate the architecture of the islands,
but the award-winning, Blue
Wave certified, beaches offer bright, powder-white sand and
clone the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean.
An added premium are the Coastal Dune Lakes. Scenic-30A is
strewn with 15 of these fresh water lakes (so rare they are only
found in Walton County and remote parts of Africa and Australia).
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Scenic-30A
runs approx. 18-miles and is made up of the following distinctive
communities, from West to East ...
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Dune Allen
Home to Stallworth
Lake, which derives historical importance from a housing district of
30-cabins once located on the northeast corner called "The
Quarters" and was home to the Bullard-Stallworth Turpentine
Mill workers during the late 1800's. Mostly residential with
easy access to Sandestin. |
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Santa Rosa Beach
Santa Rosa's name
resulted from the 1800's Santa Rosa Plantation located on Hogtown
Bayou, north of 98. Ed Walline was one of the primary
county constables and there is a beach-side park a little east of
the Santa Rosa Beach & Golf Club named after this big-hearted
man. The pedestrian-friendly community of Gulf Place sits at
the intersection of 393 and 30A and provides shops, restaurants and
cafes, as well as an amphitheatre regularly offering outdoor
concerts. Also, don't miss The Artists at Gulf Place. |
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Blue Mountain Beach
The Blue Lupine is native to the U.S. and would grow in masses along
the tops of the soaring dunes, as a result the area became known as
Blue Mountain by the early seafarers. The area is now made up
of residential communities, resorts and a variety of shops and
terrific dining. |
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Grayton Beach
Established in 1890
and named after Army Major, Charles T.Gray, who built a home
here in 1885. This is a charming beach town with older homes
and tapered, tree-lined streets. The beachfront was
designated one of the best beaches in the United States in a
University of Maryland geological study. Grayton Beach is home
to the famous Red Bar, which serves terrific bar meals amongst
a hodgepodge of well embellished surroundings. |
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Watercolor
Sits adjacent to
Western Lake and is one of the newer arrivals to Scenic-30A.
This manicured community consists of an attractively landscaped Town
Center with shops, a tennis center, Cerulean Park, Beach Club,
restaurants and the Gulf-front WaterColor Inn. |
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Seaside
2006 marked the 25th
Anniversary of Seaside. It is a planned community with brick
lined streets and everything within walking distance. The town
square is a mix of restaurants, shops and services, including
bike rentals and an amphitheater. There are also croquet lawns, art
galleries and a chapel. Prodigious beach pavilions dot the
shoreline and act as gateways to the Gulf, just perfect for watching
the sunset. Paramount Pictures filmed "The Truman
Show" (Jim Carrey) in Seaside during the winter of 1996. |
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Seagrove Beach
Adjacent to Seaside,
and well worth exploring by bicycle .. just meander your way through
the tree-lined back streets of "Old Seagrove".
It truly is an appealing community with old and new sea cottages as
well as terrific family and fine-dining, unique stores and markets. |
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WaterSound
Advantageously
sandwiched in-between serene Deer Lake State Park and stunning Camp
Creek Lake, the St. Joe development team has aspired to keep
WaterSound in accord with these two treasures. Pedestrian
bridges and footpaths lead to the Gulf and protect the precious
dunes and wetland areas. |
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Seacrest Beach
Principally made up of beach
homes and condominiums. When riding from Seagrove to Seacrest
you will pass by Eastern Lake, Deer Lake and Camp Creek Lake, all
natural and rare coastal dune lakes. Camp Creek Lake is
one of the outstanding features of Seacrest Beach and there is also
an excellent golf course by the same name. |
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Alys Beach
With it's striking
white-washed buildings and white rooftops, Alys Beach makes for a
dramatic contrast when driving or biking along Scenic-30A. The
Caribbean influenced buildings encompass courtyard homes and family
compounds all set between tranquil, landscaped lanes. |
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Rosemary Beach
As with Seaside,
Rosemary Beach is a pedestrian-centered community. The
Caribbean inspired homes, many with intimate courtyards, are an easy 5-minute walk to the Town
Center, parks, swimming pools, tennis courts, shops and restaurants. |
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Inlet Beach
At the far east end of
Scenic 30A and extends along Hwy. 98. The name is derived from
Phillips Inlet, which divides Walton and Bay counties. This is
one of the older beach communities and is dotted with both weathered
beach-front homes and a wave of newer cottages. There are
ample beach access paths and public-parking. |
