Donna

Just got back from a week in Destin - beautiful, but crowded. Wanted to give a good word for Maravilla where we stayed. It was very convenient to beach (just across the road - private beach, no obstructions), shopping, golf, and restaurants, and the rental was very reasonable. We stayed in a beautifully furnished condo (http://www.destin4us.com/)that was very clean and organized (2 bedrooms, 1 bunkroom-perfect for kids or teens, 2 baths). Could not have been better. The owner has purchased another condo close by and we got a look at it. It is in the Palmetto Palms complex and is very lovely (3 bedrooms-3 baths). I was hesitant to stay across the street from the beach, but it worked out great. So if you are considering Maravilla, you can't do better for location or price. Restaurants that were good: Pampano Joe's (just down the road from Maravilla), the Commissary Barbeque, Callahans (locals, great food at a great price), the Back Porch, and LaRocca Italian restaurant (family style). Can't wait to go back next year!

cd

Donna
We leave Friday for a week in Navarre Beach. What was your weather like? I've been following Destin weather and it showed rain the past 2 wks!!!

mona

Got back on Saturday from Fort Walton Beach. Same thing -- loved it, but the traffic was horrendous. The beach itself was not crowded, and our hotel (Four Points Sheraton) was very nice. Is the traffic always bad, or did we just hit a busy time?

Randyforgt

Tell me more about Callahans and Commissary BBQ....I start my vacation this weekend! and will drive over to Destin from PCB.

Donna

The weather was great, but pay attention to those flags on the beach - if it is red DO NOT go out into the water - just wade. We were there the day 47 people were rescued and 8 people died. We heard sirens all day and it was very frightening. There is always a chance of showers in FL in the summertime, so just try to keep a flexible schedule. The only bad weather we had was one day and it stormed during the morning, cleared off in the afternoon (beach time!) and then rained again that evening. Destin is always crowded in the summer and with all the new shopping centers going up, it will probably just get worse. But I love the shopping and the beach and the restaurants, so I will continue to be one of the crazies sitting in the traffic. We drove out to Navarre Beach to check it out, and it was beautiful. Not crowded - bike trails, state park. But the if you like a lot of activity, you don't have to stay where the action is, Navarre Beach is only a 20-30 minute drive to Destin and Fort Walton. If the traffic bothers you, don't stay on Hwy 98 - stay on one of the side beaches (such as Scenic Gulf Dr. or Gulf Shore Dr.) and that will take some of the stress off the trip. We are thinking about staying on Navarre Beach when we want relaxation and just drive into Destin to shop. Callahan's is a great little place right next to La Paz (good Mexican) on Gulf Shore Dr. It has a large sandwich menu and daily lunch specials for less than $6. On the menu the day we ate there: Steak sandwich (excellent), chicken fried steak, mahi mahi with rice, lasagna, chicken parmesan, and grilled ham and cheese croisant and more I can't remember. As you can see, it is a varied menu. The Commissary is on Hwy 98 (36112 Emerald Coast Pkwy )on the right coming from downtown Destin and towards the outlet mall. It is not as reasonable as Callahans, but the portions are large. The food is very good. Hope you all have a good trip!

cd

Thanks Donna, good information. We will be driving to Destin twice for snorkeling and diving.
Are there places to buy fresh fish right off the boats?

Donna

I saw several places on Hwy 98 to buy fish and seafood - but I didn't get the names. But if you are diving, just ask the dive master or crew on the boat. They usually know the best places.

cd

Donna
Thanks again!

kreinestja

I have been hoping to go to Destin in 2004 and was quite alarmed by this post. Donna, could you please give more details about the flags and the distressed and or drowned people?

dln

All the beaches in the Fort Walton area (Destin, Santa Rosa, Seaside, and more) are flagged. Reg means stay out. I believe what happened is that many people chose to ignore the warnings and went in to swim and body surf.

The drowning deaths were horrible because they were so unnecessary! What a waste of human life.

We have been going down to the Panhandle for more than 15 years. Our children first crawled on sand and felt salt water on their bodies in Destin. The beach and water are beautiful beyond words. It is a wonderful place to bring a family.


We first started going to the Gulf of Mexico because we felt the Atlantic beaches were too rough for children of a young age. The waves are so much softer on the Gulf. I think this very thing is what leads people to behave in a reckless manner. We have found that while the waves are lower, there is always an undercurrent. Sometimes strong, sometimes not so. We taught our children to play in the water in front of our beach setup, and not to lose sight of it. Depending on which way the undercurrent is flowing, you can find yourself floating on down to either Panama City or Pensacola, without ever feeling it.

I am so dismayed about all those deaths, but I can tell you that we never had any occasion to worry about the Panhandle beaches. If you have your heart set on going there, you should do so. If you are sensible, as you should be on any beach in any part of the world, you will find a glorious little part of Florida.

dln

Sorry about that unfortunate typo. "Red" flags mean to avoid the water.

Donna

We have also been going down to the gulf for over 20 years and we have never had an experience like that. I think the reason that so many people died is because they ignored the warnings. The flags like all warning signs (including traffic signals, speed limits, and crossing signals) are there for a good reason. The authorities even sent over a helicopter with a bull horn telling people along the beach not to go in the water and many did not listen. It was a beautiful day and it was the first day many people had arrived for their vacation and the water is a powerful lure. There is no danger if you pay attention to the flag of the day (green-OK, yellow-caution, red-don't swim). Again this is not typical for the area from my experience, but caution should always be taken when you are swimming. Go and have a great time - I think they are the best beaches in Florida.