My husband won a three night stay at a deluxe condo in Florida's Emerald Coast area at our kids' school auction. (See what happens when you leave and go to the bathroom?!) Anyway, the choices for location range from Navarre to Fort Walton Beach, Destin or the beaches of South Walton. We have three little boys ages 2,4, and 6 and we'll be driving from Memphis.I'm looking for the area that has the prettiest beaches and least crowded towns but are still convenient and walkable for food and such. THanks!

memmom
We spent a week at Navarre Beach this summer with our children and grandchildren. It is a beautiful beach with soft white sands and crystal clear water and is not crowded. Destin is only a 1/2 hr drive away. There will probably not be anything walkable for food. We drove close to Destin for a grocery store. There was a Tom Thumb within walking range but that's just a gas station that sells bread and milk, etc.

My vote would go to Navarre Beach. It is great for kids the age of yours. You can also rent bicycles and ride up and down the "island". You will have to drive some for food, but with kids so young, I'm guessing you'll eat at the condo except for dinner. You don't mention when you have to take this trip, and the time of year will really make a difference in traffic and crowded restaurants.

Thanks for the tips. We'll be going in OCtober. I guess I tend to like to be able to go to little shops and such without driving too much. Are any of the towns like that? We tend to prefer quaint and local with state parks, nature stuff, good restaurants and unique shops to places that have major strip malls, mini golf, water parks and other stuff that like that.

What you describe sounds like South Walton County, i.e. Seaside, Grayton Beach, and Seagrove. I am not sure if your offer includes lodging in one of those areas, but they are quaint and even walkable. All of the areas you mention are comparable in terms of beaches. Anywhere between Pensacola and Panama City will have a gorgeous beach.

If you like to shop and eat, I think Destin (after South Walton) would be your best bet. Destin is very developed, but not tacky like, say, Panama City. I think you would enjoy strolling along the docks at Destin Harbor one evening to see the boats come in with their catches. There are also several good seafood restaurants along the harbor to eat at while you're down there.

Another thing I would add is that a lot of people choose Navarre and Fort Walton Beach only because they are cheaper than Destin (and would stay in Destin if the price was the same). Keep that in mind when you read posts about the different areas.

Some people might stay in Navarre because it's cheaper but we elected to stay there because the beach is not as crowded. There was always room to put up volleyball, our tent for shade and drinks that actually held most of us (there were 10)Our condo was just steps from the beach but it was nice to have the tent just a few feet from the waves. We put it up and left it all week and could do that because of the uncrowded beaches.

Memmom is planning to travel to the area in October; crowds certainly won't be an issue in Destin or anywhere.

If you're looking for close shopping, restaurants and childrens activities, stay in Destin. Elsewhere you'll probably feel isolated and bored.

memmom,
I am from Memphis also and my husband and I will be driving down to Destin in October for our anniversary. You shouldn't have a problem at all with crowds at that time of year and Destin has nice beaches and access to many things.

Does anyone know the water temperatures at that time of the year (October) -- can you comfortably go in?

Oh yeah, the Gulf will still be very warm. Mid-80's at the surface (where you'll be swimming).
Enjoy!

THanks a lot everyone. This forum is so great. There have been some new developments. There is a fabulous new resort called Portofino on Pensacola Beach that we can get. Now I'm torn between that type of vacation and the fun and beach of Destin and the cute factor and calm of South Walton. Ugh! Are they far from each other? I'm not too worried about crowds or traffic in mid-October so Destin is appealing but I'm originally from Hawaii and just don't have much patience for tacky beach towns! Thanks again! All replies MUCH appreciated!

Destin isnt known to be a tacky beach town....especially the Sandestin area.Seaside,Grayton Beach area are far from tacky and the Sandestin resort area has some cool restaurants and low-key bars.Dont know about the new resort you are referring to ,but I would choose Seaside over Pensecola any day.Have fun!

memmom
If you choose Penscola Beach I think your children would enjoy the Air Museum in Pensacola. On the second floor they will be able to sit inside cockpits. Also, there is a two lane highway that connects Pensacola Beach to Navarre Beach and might even go on to Destin. It is wonderful as you drive with water on both sides of you. Very scenic. Sorry I don't remember the name but it travels very close to the Gulf. There is a bike path beside the road. Destin would be about an hour from Pensacola Beach

I am just curious. Where did yall end up staying and how was it? In October Destin wouldn't be too crowded, but is still too touristy and zooish for us. However, we do go every June and stay at Huntington by the Sea and love it. Only 4 floors, few rentals and a huge beach all to ourselves. But if you look left or right there are throngs. At Sandestin there are 5 rows of umbrellas and it's awful. We also go to Navarre every July with children and grandchildren and stay at Belle Mer. It's extremely nice, not cheap at all, but the beach is empty and it's wonderful. Of course a similar property in Destin would cost more, but Destin is not for us. Hope yall had a good time and come back.

memmom,

I had written a reply last night but the internet went down before I could post it. I'll try again this morning.

I live at Pensacola Beach, so I can tell you a bit about this area. Pensacola Beach has a "core area" where most of the shops, restaurants, and activities are concentrated. This is about the size of one square block. All easy walking distance. With the exception of one Subway there are no fast food franchises on the Island. Several other places to eat, from casual and reasonable to upscale with prices to match.

There is a small go-cart track and a mini golf "course". Also available for rent are jet skies, hobie cats, and funny cars. At the extreme west end of the Island is the National Seashore and Fort Pickens. The fort has been there since pre-Civil War days and Geronimo was once held captive there. There are hiking/biking trails in the partk as well as some old World War II gun batteries.

You asked about Portofino. It's a new condo development about 6 miles east of the core area. Very upscale - gated with two heated pools, spa, restaurant, etc. It's on the Santa Rosa Sound side of the Island but the Gulf is just across a two-lane road. In October crossing the road won't be a problem. Portofino has three 21-story towers completed and another under construction. A friend who lives there says the noise isn't generally a problem and I didn't hear it when I visited her and we had lunch by the pool.

Navarre Beach has far less amenity-wise than Pensacola Beach. There are 3 or 4 restaurants, no mini golf, etc. But it's beautiful and very serene.

There is a small grocery store on Pensacola Beach and both beaches have large grocery stores just across the bridges on the mainland.

As for Fort Walton/Destin, that's a whole different ball game. Since I live where I do, I haven't really paid much attention to either one as far as location of various things. Lots of people on this site have visited and can help you out there. The most obvious difference is that even in October traffic will be heavier than in Navarre and Pensacola Beach areas.

There is a water park and a larger mini golf complex in the Destin area but it may close after Labor Day. I'll try to find out.

Sandestin, just to the east of Destin has a huge outlet complex with several upscale/brand name stores. There is also golf nearby.

So much depends on exactly what you want to do and how much driving you are willing to do. Also, if we knew the names of the places you can chose from, we could get more specific as to where they are in relation to other things you might be interested in.

Hope this hepls some. Contact me if you have more questions.

Fran

Was in the area a few months ago and stayed in both Navarre Beach and Destin/Sandeston...daytripped to Pensacola, Pensacola Beach, and South Walton

here are brief summations of each area--

Pensacola - Is a historic southern town that happens to be near the ocean. I didn't consider it a "beach" town b/c everyone in Pensacola goes to...

Pensacola Beach - If you're looking for a "small" beach town, this is it. Nice beaches...developed enought to have stores/restaurants but not over developed (yet)

Navarre Beach - on the other end of the same sandbar that Pensacola Beach is on....as a poster above stated there is a beautiful drive between the two with the water on each side as you go through part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. ONLY GO HERE IF ALL YOU WANT IS THE BEACH. There are two restaurants on the island and a few in the town of Navarre on the mainland....One "shop" which is just actually the bike/kayak rental place. We enjoyed Navarre Beach b/c of the isolation. It's very beautiful. We drove to Pensacola and Destin to eat most of the time (30 minutes)

DEstin - is a great beach town. Lots of food options and a great beach...it;'s a "classy" beach town. Even more classier is the Sandestin area. I don't know about "walking around" anywhere on the gulf coast since almost everything is strung out along the beach and 98.

The daytrip we took to South Walton was great. We are planning on staying here the next time we go the panhandle. Seaside is a beautiful town as is that enitre area....