As a family destination, Destin rivals even Orlando as THE place to go for fun in the sun. Why? Well, the most compelling reason is that geographically Destin is the first hot/warm stop on the way south for most of the snowbirds. There’s plenty to see, do and enjoy for one and all, from tiny tots to seniors – all the attractions and amenities one would associate with a major resort including Seaworld and many miles of pristine beaches, yes and golf too.
- Regatta Bay Golf Club
- Kelly Plantation Golf Club
- Indian Bayou Golf Club
- Emerald Bay Golf Club
- Seapines Golf, Beach and Tennis Resort
All five of these semi-public courses are in Destin and within a mile of each other.
In Sandestin, just a few short hops southward down Highway 98, there are four more championship golf courses at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort:
The options for great golf in Fort Walton Beach are just as plentiful. Here are just a few of them:
- Shalimar Pointe Country Club: A semi-private 18-hole course, quiet and professionally run
- Fort Walton Beach Golf Club: Two championship courses - The Pines at 6,800 yards is an upland pine forest layout, and The Oaks offers more than 6,400 yards of narrow, oak-lined fairways and challenging water hazards
- Edwin Watts Golf Shop
The two fine seafood restaurants I once knew and loved are, unfortunately, long gone, and so are most of the oyster bars. The old Hog's Breath Saloon that was featured in the original Jaws movie is no more either. It has, in fact, relocated to a new, more high-profile location on the Strip. It’s a still a nice restaurant, and the food is good, but the atmosphere is… good enough, I suppose, but if you knew the old Hog’s Breath you might tend to get a little nostalgic for what once was.
Perhaps one of the best restaurants in Destin is The Beach Walk Cafe. Internationally famous chef, Tim Creehan, runs it in the tradition of the great chefs of New Orleans. Ruth’s Chris Steak House has a reputation that speaks for itself. Then, of course, there's the Lucky Snapper, although one might wonder how any fish, snapper or otherwise, that ends its days gazing up from a plate can be deemed “lucky.” For breakfast I’d like to recommend The Donut Hole and The Broken Egg Café. I’ve eaten at both and can only speak highly of them, although both can be a bit crowded at peak hour. Here are a few of my favorites spots:
Where to Stay
You’ll be surprised to learn that beachfront hotel rooms on the Emerald Coast are a bit limited, the good old Holiday Inn being perhaps the best of what's available – there’s one in Destin and another in Fort Walton. These two hotel guides will give you an idea of what's available:
But let’s not get hung up on hotel rooms: the Emerald Coast is the land of the rental condo, and there are thousands to choose from.
I never had experienced one of these cover-all opportunities until I stayed at Silver Beach Towers. Today, I am a convert. The sheer convenience of a condo-style vacation is something I'll not easily give up. So, I say, “to heck with the hotel room, I’ll take a condo any day.” Here are a few options to tempt you:
Condos are Ideal for Groups:
Condominiums on the Emerald Coast, and in Destin in particular, are almost always large and inevitably luxurious. You can choose from one, two or three bedroom units complete with lounge, full kitchen, a balcony overlooking the ocean, and even a Jacuzzi. Some will sleep as many as 16 people. True, you have to cater for yourself, but so what? You can rent for just a few days or for as long as several months – and the longer you stay, the better the price. The rates are basically the same as you would expect to pay for a hotel room, maybe even a little less, but what you get for your dollars beats the hotel room hands down.
Finally, there are the resorts to consider:
How to get There:
The closest regional airport is the Fort Walton Beach Airport. The airport is served by Delta, Continental, US Air, AirTran, American, Northwest, and several others.
Look for the best airline and car rental deals with these two aggregators, which provide travelers with an up-to-date search tool to compare prices on airfares and car rentals of all ratings:
More of Florida's Golf Courses:
Here's a list of some you should not miss:
- The TPC Sawgrass PLAYERS STADIUM Course
- Dye's Valley Course at Sawgrass
- The Omni Orlando at ChampionsGate
- The Blue Monster at Doral
- Regatta Bay in Destin
- Indian Bayou in Destin
- The Rookery on Marco Island
