Northwest Florida Getaways 2008 - (Page 28) 85 Niceville 189 t Walton Beach Valparaiso 20 79 77 98 Destin Santa Rosa Beach Seaside Grayton Beach Seagrove Beach Point Washington Ebro 20 Beaches of South Walton 231 Why You’ll Go: You love the sense of isolation and rugged natural splendor that defines this Santa Rosa beach. What you’ll see: The park’s 1,640 acres are home to a dramatic landscape, including sand dunes topping 14 feet and old-growth longleaf pine forests bordering a pristine, 3.2-mile shoreline. The crystalline water feels blessedly cool, and the surf crashes with some vigor. Off the Sand: It’s a .7 mile trek from the park entrance in Santa Rosa to the beach itself. You can hoof it, but the lazier among us prefer to travel through the forest to the beach via a tram that leaves from the park entrance every hour on the hour. You Need to Know: A beach house here offers restrooms, changing rooms, and an outdoor shower. That’s the extent of amenities at Topsail. Pack your picnic, drinks, and plenty of sunscreen in advance. During the hottest part of the day, a beach umbrella is an absolute necessity. Talking point: Want to sound like a local? Call it Top-sill. Seacrest Beach ALT 98 Seacrest Rosemary Beach 98 Lynn Haven Panama City Beach P Cit Why You’ll Go: Scenic beauty is promised here; park officials promise that the trees in the park have a gnarled “Middle Earth” look because of winds. The winds sculpt the land too; sand dune drifts rise so high that magnolia and oak trees sometimes appear to be no more than shrubbery – the sand blocks the view of their trunks. A unique ecosystem including scrub, pine flatwoods and salt marshes surround a body of water called Western Lake. Explore nature via a four-mile trail. Stay a While: Cabins and camping facilities are available at this park, which is near Santa Rosa Beach and right off Route 30A. Bringing Your Best Bud? Leashed dogs are allowed on the nature trail and in the campground, but not in cabins or on the beach. Why You’ll Go: The “new urbanism” design, and notable buildings by neo-classical architects like Leon Krier, a favorite of Prince Charles. To any fan of walkable towns, the vernacular architecture and New England-style commons seem familiar. You Need to Know: There are no lifeguards on duty at the beach, seen here. Keep a close eye on the kids. Off the Sand: The town of Seaside awaits your exploration. Roly Poly, a local joint known for its rolled sandwiches, allows you to chow down water-side. A beach bazaar called Perspicacity serves up everything from jewelry to clothing to linens. 28 VISITFLORIDA.com/northwest http://VISITFLORIDA.com/northwest
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