[janetvj]

We are planning to visit this part of Florida for the first time and know nothing about the area. We are 2 couples - fiftyish in age (but younger in spirit!) - looking for a location that is right on the beach and walking distance to restaurants and bars. We also enjoy activities like biking, snorkeling, cruising and kayaking. We will most likely be looking for a privately owned condo or beach house to rent so not looking for hotel suggestions, but need advice on areas. Can anyone help? I checked VRBO and they list several areas - Holiday Isle; Mid-Destin; Scenic Gulf Drive West, Central and East; and Sandestin. Where should we be looking?

[beachmouse]

For biking and walkability to restaurants, you want to be on Scenic Gulf Drive, Sandestin, or further east in the Beaches of South Walton area. In Mid-Destin, everything dumps out on the definitely not bike-friendly 4-6 lane US 98. Holiday Isle is close to a lot of boating/watersport activities and as long as you're in the Holiday Isle area proper it's bike & pedestrian-friendly, but once you get outside that smallish area it too dumps you on to US 98.

[Bradburn1]

Seaside or Rosemary Beach--from both you can walk to beach and a bunch of great shops and restaurants. Both are located on 30A between Destin and Panama City. There's a bike path on the south side of 30 A that runs almost the entire way, you can rent bikes in both communities. Seaside is more classic beach cottages, Rosemary Beach is very upscale with a European town feel. Both are spectacular.

[janetvj]

Thanks! I appreciate the suggestions - this helps a lot.

[chadman154]

Originally Posted by Bradburn1

Seaside or Rosemary Beach--from both you can walk to beach and a bunch of great shops and restaurants. Both are located on 30A between Destin and Panama City. There's a bike path on the south side of 30 A that runs almost the entire way, you can rent bikes in both communities. Seaside is more classic beach cottages, Rosemary Beach is very upscale with a European town feel. Both are spectacular.

We just got back frim seaside, most things are closed its off season right now. It was our first and last trip to 30a. Back to swfl, fort myers beach, our old vacation spot.

[janetvj]

Originally Posted by chadman154

We just got back frim seaside, most things are closed its off season right now. It was our first and last trip to 30a. Back to swfl, fort myers beach, our old vacation spot.

We usually head to either SW Florida (Siesta Key is my favorite location in that area but we love Sarasota, Ft. Myers Beach, and Naples as well) or to the lower Keys, but this year we thought we'd try something different. We have visited pretty much every part of Florida except for the panhandle. We aren't going until late April or early May, so hopefully most places will be open by then.

[chadman154]

The main reason we were not happy was the lack of pet friendly beaches. The owner we rented from decieved us. Long story.... fmb has more small bars to see local bands. 30a was beautiful, but more boutiques and high end shops. I can afford it, but its not who i am.... im too laid back

[schil]

Originally Posted by Bradburn1

Seaside or Rosemary Beach--from both you can walk to beach and a bunch of great shops and restaurants. Both are located on 30A between Destin and Panama City. There's a bike path on the south side of 30 A that runs almost the entire way, you can rent bikes in both communities. Seaside is more classic beach cottages, Rosemary Beach is very upscale with a European town feel. Both are spectacular.

if one wants to scuba, where is the area recommended?

[beachmouse]

If you are a hard core scuba diver, I'd take a day trip to Pensacola and dive the Oriskany:

Diving Oriskany

[schil]

I have never heard of a pet friendly beach, and it does not sound like a good place to sun bathe or swim.