Living at the Beach | Page #5

Ever imagine what it would be like to live the NW Florida coastal lifestyle? Tune in here to learn what life along the beaches of 30A is really like!

A Beach Within Reach: Access May Look Different, But Still Accessible


Re-post from the Walton County Tourist Department (3/20/24) - Walton County is widely regarded and celebrated for its 26 miles of sugar-white sand and incredible turquoise waters. It's truly a breathtaking sight, which is why many of our residents were attracted here. 

Our beaches also draw visitors, generating an economic impact of more than $6 billion annually and supporting more than 40,000 jobs for our residents. Tourism is the No. 1 economic driver in Walton County. 

Historically, Walton County has had a mix of public and private beaches. What does that look like today? In many ways, it seems the same. Some portions of the beach remain private (think of our resort…

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Best Hotels on 30A

While 30A is famous for its plethora of vacation rentals, hotels can be an excellent alternative, especially for shorter stays, couples, or when you're seeking a lavish retreat! 
Our round-up of best hotels on 30A is a short list because there are few! With less than ten hotel accommodations to choose from, each offers a unique blend of elegance, sophistication, and Southern charm. 

The Pearl Hotel in Rosemary Beach, Florida: A Jewel of Sophistication

Perched on the pristine shores of Rosemary Beach, The Pearl Hotel stands as a beacon of elegance and refinement. With just 55 intimate rooms, this boutique hotel exudes an air of exclusivity, inviting guests to immerse themselves in the timeless beauty of the Gulf…

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Florida State Parks Foundation, Live Wildly to Host “Explore the Corridor” Week to Celebrate Volunteering Opportunities in State Parks

Forty state parks within Florida Wildlife Corridor to host volunteer events between Jan. 27 – Feb. 4, 2024

REGISTER HERE TO VOLUNTEER LOCALLY

Did you know that every state park in Florida relies on volunteers? From gardening to removing invasive plants, conducting trail maintenance to picking up litter, a few hours of your time will help our award-winning state parks and give you a chance to explore the beauty of wild Florida.

“There may be no better way to celebrate the beginning of the year than to volunteer at your favorite state park,” said Julia Gill Woodward, CEO of the Florida State Parks…

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Beyond the Beaches: Exploring Scenic 30A's Best Hiking Trails

When it comes to epic hiking experiences, most people envision towering mountains, cascading waterfalls, and vast open vistas. Florida might not have the rugged terrain of the Rockies, but don't underestimate the magic and unique adventures you'll find hiking the nature trails along Northwest Florida's Emerald Coast!

The Flat and Sandy Trails

In most cases, you won't need heavy-duty hiking shoes in Florida since many nature trails are flat and sandy. Some even traverse acres of wetlands via a convenient boardwalk system. That said, we still recommend suitable footwear to keep your ankles protected or your feet dry. You never know when a sudden downpour could turn a sandy trail into…

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On October 2, 2023, Walton County Division of Emergency Management released its All-Hazard Preparedness Guide. 

Although Floridians tend to first think of hurricanes and tropical storms as the most probable emergency they will face, there are a variety of potential disasters that could arise at any time.

In response in part to September being declared National Preparedness Month, the Walton County Division of Emergency Management is working to ensure that Walton County residents and visitors are equipped for any disaster that may come our way.

“This guide will assist residents, visitors, and businesses with how to prepare for, mitigate against, respond to, and recover from all hazards, not just hurricanes,” said Director Goldberg. The guide…

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South Walton High School scored 93.95/100 based on college readiness, college curriculum breadth, state assessment proficiency, and graduation rate!

Here are a few more ratings we learned from the US News & World Reports: 

  •  Ranked #70 out of 4,202 high schools in the state of Florida and #1,070 out of 42,634 high schools in the US. This puts South Walton in the Top 2% of Florida Schools.
  •  73% participation rate in 27 different college-level Advanced Placement (AP) courses.
  •  98% graduation rate for the 2022-23 school year.

Read their Full Report HERE.

 

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Solidago, aka Goldenrod: Captivating Facts and Folklore Surrounding this Native Florida Plant  

Solidago, commonly called Goldenrod, and many blooming wildflowers, could be something you've thought very little about. For many others, the very mention of it makes the eyes water and nose itch! Commonly believed to be the cause of hay fever, it turns out this late summer/fall perennial is edible and offers many health benefits. 

Tall Goldenrod is a member of the Asteraceae, the Sunflower family. About 140 varieties of Goldenrod grow throughout North America,  Europe, and Asia.  Sixty of those varieties occur in every habitat type, including woodlands, swamps, mountains, and fields in eastern North America from the Great Plains to the Atlantic.

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Underwater Museum of Art (UMA):

The 2023 CODAworx jury recently selected the Top 100 finalists representing the best design and art projects! This year, artists submitted 411 projects from around the world for consideration. The awards recognize design projects demonstrating the most successful integration of commissioned art into an interior, architectural or public space. 

Now it's time to cast your vote: the top 2 projects receiving the most votes will be "crowned" People's Choice winners!! 

Voting is simple and easy. Click the "Vote" button below the "Underwater Museum of Art" project on the official voting site. You are only allowed to vote once per project. 

Cast your vote HERE today! The voting deadline is Monday, July 31, at 11:59…

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This month, Life Media, distributor of SoWal Life, has premiered a new website specifically catering to second-homeowners in the South Walton/30A area:

sowalconnections.com 

You've likely seen SoWal Life, a community-oriented newspaper mailed to South Walton residents and circulated for free in stands around our beach communities. 

If you like the printed version, you'll also love the digital one! 

When you're not at the beach, you can still catch up on all the latest trending news, read interesting articles, and plan which events you want to attend on your next visit. There's also a section devoted to helping Homeowners with a directory of contacts such as plumbers, painters, pool services, and more.  

Bookmark their page to help you…

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Walton County will begin accepting Beach Driving Lottery Applications for the 2023 Lottery on April 1, 2023.

Applications will be accepted through May 10, 2023, and will be accepted by mail, in-person, or online. Applicants must be full-time Walton County residents and meet all requirements as outlined in Ordinance 2022-02. Applications will not be accepted unless all eligibility requirements are met and all documentation is provided at the time of application submission. Incomplete applications will not be eligible for the lottery drawing.

To apply, visit: Code Compliance Beach Permits

Beach driving is primarily allowed at Grayton Beach near the Red Bar restaurant and in Inlet Beach at the end of South Walton Lakeshore Drive. The Inlet Beach…

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