Destin/Rosemary Beach/Seaside

[Anonymous]

Destin native here. It’s a gorgeous beach, incredible doesn’t begin to describe it. These days it’s just a concrete jungle of high rises and restricted beach access.

[Anonymous]

I live about 30 miles north of Destin. I would recommend Seaside. I think it is just the cutest little town, and they have lots of activities. They built the town in a way that discourages getting in your car constantly to eat/shop/go do fun stuff.
I have never been to Rosemary Beach so I can't speak of that. I have heard it is nice though.
Seaside is pretty much halfway between Destin and Panama City, so you could drive to either one easily if you want to go do goofy golf or water park, etc.

I am more familiar with the "fun" stuff in Destin, since that is closer to me. Destin has Big Kahunas water park. There is the Track, which is a go cart place that also has bumper boats and bumper cars and goofy golf and an arcade and a mini amusement park that is more for toddlers. There is the Destin commons, which is a huge shopping center with a gazillion restaurants and a movie theater. All of those places are on the north side of Highway 98, and the beach and most of the condos are on the south side of Highway 98. Sometimes tourists try to walk across the highway and then get splatted because there is so much traffic on Highway 98 in the summer.

Panama City needs your tourist dollars more than Destin does right now, what with the hurricane last fall and all. There are water parks and restaurants and goofy golf places there too.

[Anonymous]

Any thoughts on whether this area would be warm enough for beach/swimming during Spring Break (first or second week of April?)

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

If you like SEaside, look at Watercolor too--get a place with a golf cart and you won't miss the extra distance to the beach--we saved lots and got a bigger house with pool etc.

we went last year at spring break and the kids went in the ocean but too cold for adults.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any thoughts on whether this area would be warm enough for beach/swimming during Spring Break (first or second week of April?)

Thanks!

It is likely to be warm enough to be on the beach. Swimming will be chilly.

[Anonymous]

Where does everyone stay in Rosemary? We are looking for a place that has a pool, but Watercolor looks a little overwhelming. Is there a condo area with a pool and possibly a place to eat during the day by the beach?

[Anonymous]

I’ve heard it’s hit or miss weather wise for spring break, but not reliably warm. Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

i think the beach water would be too cold at that time.

we have stayed several places on 30A. this year we are staying in watercolor.

last year we stayed at townhouses across the street from the big chill. ours was really affordable. you have to ride bikes or golf cart to get to a public beach access.

if you want waterparks and mini golf, you either stay in destin or pcb or drive there for an outing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve heard it’s hit or miss weather wise for spring break, but not reliably warm. Thoughts?

We've been several times for spring break, and it has ranged from cold and rainy the entire week to pleasant. It's not super warm, but it's nice. It's warm enough for the kids to swim in the heated pool, but not unheated. I wouldn't count on it for spring break weather-wise.

Definitely not a warm winter vacation spot.

[Anonymous]

Don’t work your life away just to pay for a timeshare down in Destin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are several big rental agencies along 30A. It’s been my experience that most of the listings on VRBO are actually managed by an agency (which is nice, IMO). Royal Destinations is one. I’d just settle on a general area and look on VRBO.

I’ve had good experience with Royal Destinations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don’t work your life away just to pay for a timeshare down in Destin.

FLORIDA!!! It's one hell of a drug!

[Anonymous]

What do y'all think about the area for the week after Xmas?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where does everyone stay in Rosemary? We are looking for a place that has a pool, but Watercolor looks a little overwhelming. Is there a condo area with a pool and possibly a place to eat during the day by the beach?

Most people rent houses vs. stay in a hotel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do y'all think about the area for the week after Xmas?

It’s nice, but it will be too cold for the beach. It would not be an ideal winter vacation spot. I think it’s too cold for spring break, let alone winter!

I’ve been going to 30A since I was a kid. The problem is it’s gotten WAY too crowded in the summer (lines out the parking lots at grocery stores, traffic, two-hour waits for restaurant) and the beach is too chilly to be enjoyable any other time school is out.

It’s sad that a charming area has been over-developed to the point where it’s lost its charm. I know many people who have sold their homes there and life-long visitors who have stopped going.