USVI-On-Line

We're making a trip to Texas in July and are driving from Virginia. Since I won't be in St John in 2010 I need a beach fix somewhere! So, we've decided to make a pitstop in Destin for 2-3 days. I know next to nothing about the area. Can anyone recommend an area we should look at? It doesn't have to be exactly in Destin, just in the area. We're looking for somewhere maybe a little less crowded if possible. Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks in advance for the help.

I am not from Destin, but spend a good deal of time down there. If you prefer a big, resorty town, stick with Destin or even the SanDestin area.

If you like something a little more quaint and laid back, you will find the communities of South Walton County/Highway 30-A to be irresistable. Each has a very unique personality and all are wonderful. A good website to check them out on is:

http://www.beachesofsouthwalton.com/

It's a great area with beautiful beaches.

Oh, and to clarify - this area begins just outside Destin and extends for 20 miles or so.

Not from Destin either but being from LA (Lower Alabama) have spent a lot of time in Destin and the surrounding area. Sandestin has a little community area but it is still a resort. There a good restaurants there and lots to do. Grayton Beach is my preference. It is a little more sleepy but as Vicki said it really depends on what you want to do. Big tourist area or just beachin it. Destin has a very big shopping mall area and lots of good places to eat.
Orange Beach, AL is very nice too and not as crowded.

I have been vacationing in Destin for years--actually since childhood as I grew up in the South. I think these are the most beautiful beaches in the states.

We have stayed primarily in the Ft. Walton area. Quieter, with more reasonable rates. Same gorgous beaches. Two rental companies we have used are southern resorts and resort quest.

Good luck. The seafood you will find here is GREAT.
If you have any quesitons, feel free to PM me.

Whatever you do while in Destin, be sure to eat at Dewey Destin's. Great fresh steamed shrimp right on the water! It's just a little hut with picnic tables but great food!

Are you already booked for Destin or just looking for something in that area? Destin during the summer is PACKED with people; we used to go to Destin but have since started going other places depending on the crowd. Last summer we were at Seagrove between Seaside and Rosemary Beach. We have stayed as far east as Laguna Beach (on the Destin side of Panama City).

My personal favorite (because I HATE crowded beaches and highrises) is Navarre Beach.

It really kind of depends on what you want. Regardless, the water and the beaches are gorgeous in that area!

We are not booked yet. Still trying to figure out what area we want to plop ourselves in. We're looking for the beaches, the less people the better. I'd like to park my ample bottom on some nice clean white sand and spend the day with a book and an icy beverage. A little water frolic is nice too. We're not looking for tons of activity all around us, just sand and water. I knew the area was very busy in the summer so wanted to be there without being smushed by throngs of people. Thanks for all the great advice!

My vote is Fort Walton Beach, still some very cool 60's motels left, right across from the beach. I believe the beach is a National Seashore Park with the most beautiful sand dunes ever!

Hey, try to find a great little bar named "Dock of the Bay". It's "fab", on the bay w/dancing. Just don't go the March...we froze our buns off, but ate the best crawdads ever!!

My favorite is Navarre Beach because you have the Gulf on one side and the Intercoastal Waterway on the other. It's not crowded - more townhouses and such but check www.vrbo.com and see what's out there.

The one thing that was different for us when we stayed at Rosemary Beach and Seagrove Beach was that you have to walk down alot of steps (SO counted them but can't remember how many) to get to the beaches where as in Destin, Pensacola, Navarre, Perdido, Ft. Walton, and also Panama City you are usually level with the beach.

We used to go over there every year till we found St. John in 2002 and have been back three times since 2005 - once for a hurrication to Rosemary Beach so we really couldn't go in the water because it was too rough even though the storm actually went on shore west of us. This past summer after staying at Seagrove, our whole group decided we prefer Navarre Beach because it's less crowded.