We are hosting two Japanese college girls for a brief visit. They want to see "the beach."
We are thinking of either Destin or Ft Walton.
We are not beach people ourselves.
Is there any difference between those two beaches?
thanks

Hi,
I have been to Destin and the Ft.Walton area many times over the years, and I recommend the Destin area highly. I find the beaches in Destin to be the most beautiful you will find anywhere, and I've been to beaches from Hawaii to the Caribbean. There are golf resorts in Destin that you can stay that are across the street from the beach that are lovely (since you're not a beach person, you might like this better) that have beach access. Also, as far as restaurants, I like the choices in Destin much better than in Ft. Walton. If you have any specific questions, feel free to email me. I hope you have a wonderful time -- the girls will love this beautiful, clean, white-sand beach.

I Live nearby. Destin and FWB are both beautiful. Destin is definitely more expensive and up-scale. FWB is less expensive. About the only difference.

M&J: Destin may feel to a visitor a little less like a city than Ft. Walton, probably due to the military bases and year-round homes closer to FWB. Destin is popular with Atlanta friends of mine with children who like golf, renting high rise or low rise condos, motels, water slides, seafood restaurants. Can get very crowded during spring break and summer. Big, so-called outlet mall in Destin with most of the upscale brand name stores represented. Beaches on gulf are all nice.

Possible reason to try Destin might be to venture east one afternoon toward Panama City on route 30-A, a 2-lane beach road off of the much busier highway 98. Several smaller beach communities along 30-A with less crowded beaches, shops, and places to eat and no motels. Don't go all the way into Panama City. Just a louder, more crowded (and some say, tackier) version of Destin.

i am from england,last year we went to destin for 3wks,i thought it was heavean,the sand was that white it looked like snow.all i could think of was, what are film stars doing, going every where else apart from here ,they must be crazey .