Pizza by the Sea, Seagrove Beach, Fl

Kids flock to Pizza by the Sea

by Susan Vallee | July 27, 2010

"Where's a great place for a slice of pizza?" is a question you wouldn't think I'd get asked much at the beach - but I do. I guess pizza really is the ultimate happy food. My personal favorite is Pizza by the Sea in the WaterColor Crossings shopping complex (next to Publix on CR395). It's a great little place with a lot of heart. The owners, Bryan and Stacy, seem to always be …

Wedded Bliss in a Fairytale Town, Seaside FL

Leave the planning to the professionals

by Susan Vallee | June 01, 2010

Destination weddings just seem to grow in popularity with each passing year. In South Walton we have so many breathtaking places to exchange vows. When planning your special day, may I recommend you ask yourself an important question? How much of the wedding do you want to plan? Are you madly putting together this day during lunch breaks at work and on the weekend? Have you read 5,000 wedding magazines yet? Given any thought to …

Serenity by the Sea Spa, Sandestin, Fl

Pamper yourself at this inclusive resort

by Susan Vallee | May 05, 2010

There are few things that make me happier than the phrase "spa day." Sure a massage is grand and facials are lovely, but there is something about going to a facility where you can spend the entire day relaxing that is just, well, special. 

My favorite spot in South Walton is the Serenity Spa at the Sandestin Hilton. This fully equipped spa and salon provides lockers, showers, toiletries, cozy robes, slippers, fresh …

Cinco de Mayo Party, Grand Boulevard, Miramar Beach, FL

Family-friendly celebration (and Dora the Explorer!)

by Susan Vallee | April 28, 2010

I love a great Cinco de Mayo party. The event planners over at Grand Boulevard have thought up a great family-friendly event that combines excellent Mexican food from Cantina Laredo with a six-piece salsa band AND a visit from Dora the Explorer. Your kids will love it (and so will you). Do you think we'll see Dora salsa dance?

The celebration begins on May 7 (here at the …

Barefoot BBQ, Seaside, FL

Beachfront delivery and the best BBQ in South Walton

by Susan Vallee | April 28, 2010

Want to strike up a conversation in the South? Ask someone where to go to find the best barbecue in town.

As a Southern gal, I'm not sure myself why we take our 'cue so seriously around here...but we do. I have to say I struggled a bit with this post, but at the end of the day I don't think you can beat Barefoot BBQ in Seaside. Three reasons: …

Digital Graffiti, Alys Beach, FL

Projection festival is a sensory explosion

by Susan Vallee | April 19, 2010

If you hurry, you can still book accommodations in the Beaches of South Walton for the June 12 "Digital Graffiti at Alys Beach" projection art festival.

With the festival now in its 3rd year, your eyes will gorge themselves on a rainbow of two- and three-story high illustrations projected onto the walls and facades of Alys Beach's white buildings. The only projection festival in the world—the selection committee …

Walco Eco Tours, Santa Rosa Beach, FL

New Nature Tours Focus on Western Lake

by Susan Vallee | April 14, 2010

I love finding out about new things to do with friends and family when they are in town. Murray Balkcom, a local Realtor/blogger/30A personality, is now melding his gift of gab with his love of the outdoors in a new business venture called Walco Eco Tours.

Now, if you don't know Murray, let me tell you—he is an interesting guy. Raised on his family farm in southwest Georgia, …

Le Grand Cirque Coming to Grand Boulevard, Miramar Beach, FL

Beaches of South Walton to get dash of acrobatic wonder

by Susan Vallee | March 29, 2010

Y'all ... I am so excited about this! (And yes, I did just say y'all.) In the biggest news to hit our beaches since, well ... maybe the airport expansion comparison is pushing it a bit ... but I'm excited, so cut me some slack—Le Grand Cirque is performing at the Grand Boulevard this summer! Le Grand Cirque (a smaller set/crew version of the famed Cirque du Soleil) combines acrobatics, …

Point Washington United Methodist Church, Santa Rosa Beach, FL, and Seaside Chapel, Seaside, FL

Discover a bit of history at two of South Walton's loveliest churches

by Susan Vallee | March 29, 2010

The architecture of a place is of worship is an interesting thing. It reflects the personality of the congregation and often the history of the place. As more and more congregations turn to cookie-cutter worship “center” designs, I find my heart tugged by the simple architecture found here in South Walton. When I say “simple” I am in no way denigrating the beauty of the design; I mean clear and straightforward.

Two of my …

Topsail State Park, Santa Rosa Beach, FL

Topsail State Park Tops for RVs

by Susan Vallee | March 16, 2010

Topsail State Park is great for those embracing the RV lifestyle, or those interested in renting a small cabin for their beach stay. Sites at the Gregory E. Moore RV Resort are affordable and the park is loaded with unexpected amenities like a tram to the beach and a beautiful swimming pool. It is quiet and peaceful, but within minutes of Grand Boulevard’s restaurants and shopping, the excitement of

Caliza Restaurant, Alys Beach, FL

Caliza Restaurant, the Ultimate Date Night

by Susan Vallee | March 09, 2010

The folks over at Caliza Restaurant in Alys Beach knew they had a challenge when staffing their restaurant—the setting is so stunning, the food had to be over-the-top delicious. What to do? What to do?

They recruited one of the most beloved (dare I say restaurant personalities?) general managers in South Walton, Jaie O’Banner. If you’ve never met O’Banner (managing partner of Trattoria Borago and general manager of …

Fish Out of Water, WaterColor Resort, FL

Local Chef is a James Beard Award Semi-Finalist

by Susan Vallee | March 04, 2010

Attention foodies! One of South Walton’s own—Chef Philip Krajeck from Fish Out of Water—is a semi-finalist for the James Beard Awards.

According to the James Beard Foundation, the award has been, “deemed ‘the Oscars of the food world,’ by Time magazine. The James Beard Foundation Awards are the country’s most coveted honor for chefs; food and beverage professionals; broadcast media, journalists, and authors working on food; and restaurant architects and …

Spring Break 2010, Beaches of South Walton, FL

Spring Break a Family Affair

by Susan Vallee | March 04, 2010

Spring Break in South Walton is definitely a family affair. Since the weather is warming up, outdoor concerts are de rigueur here. Sandestin hosts great live music every Wednesday night and Seaside's event calendar is packed with a spring concert schedule (also on Wednesday nights) and music for the 21-and-older crowd at Bud & Alley’s on Friday and Saturday nights.

I’m sure you’ve heard about our …

Travel Guide to the Beaches of South Walton, FL

Why you should visit South Walton

by Susan Vallee | February 17, 2010

When someone asks me why they should vacation in South Walton, the first thing that pops in my mind is, “Why wouldn’t you?” This is truly one of the most beautiful, relaxing places on earth. Frommers just named the Florida Panhandle a top destination for 2010 and Travel & Leisure has declared Seaside one of their 100 Greatest Trips.

Natural …

Studio b, Alys Beach, FL

Art opening has the town buzzing

by Susan Vallee | February 16, 2010

Everyone is buzzing about Stefan Daiberl’s incredible art opening held at Studio b. last week. If you missed it, don’t worry. Studio b. will be exhibiting the mixed media works through Feb. 26.

Daiberl used unexpected items we usually overlook or assume to be ugly and transformed them into works of beauty and resonance. A wave is formed by hundreds of razor blades, a peace sign crafted out of empty …

Village of Baytowne Wharf, Sandestin, FL

Weekend of Mardi Gras Fun at the Village

by Susan Vallee | February 09, 2010

The Village of Baytowne Wharf knows how to throw a good party. Mardi Gras madness begins on Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. in the Village with Hadley Castille and the Sharecropper band. If you’ve never heard Hadley’s mad skills on the fiddle - prepare to be entertained. This is Cajun swamp fiddling at its finest.

The next day (Valentine’s Day! Don’t forget in all the excitement) …

Baytowne Wharf, Sandestin, FL

Snuggie Bar Crawl!

by Susan Vallee | February 04, 2010

When I first heard of the planned Snuggie Bar Crawl at Sandestin's Baytowne Wharf I thought it was a joke. Surely something that hysterical couldn't be real. Turns out I was wrong. On Saturday night (Feb. 6) at 10 p.m. Snuggie devotees and Snuggie junkies (you are a Snuggie junkie if you upgraded your plain blue Snuggie to a "designer" pattern) are invited to pub crawl in …

Shades at the Loop, Inlet Beach, FL

Free beer, giveaways at Super Bowl party

by Susan Vallee | February 01, 2010

I love football as much as the next SEC college grad, but the frenzied anticipation of this year’s game has reached all-new levels. The phrase “Who Dat?” is all over Facebook, on the lips of every Saints fan and is now the subject of a bizarre new lawsuit being brought about by the NFL. It’s like a Super Bowl that just keeps on giving.

WaterColor Inn, Santa Rosa Beach, FL

It's all in the details at WaterColor Inn

by Susan Vallee | January 29, 2010

Honestly, I can't think of anywhere I'd rather spend a night than at the WaterColor Inn. Located within the WaterColor Resort, the Inn excels at exceeding your expectations. Yes, the rooms are huge and you'll sink down at least 3 inches into the soft down of the bed—but what got my attention was the way I could still see the Gulf of Mexico from the little window in my shower, how the …

Seaside Prize Weekend, Seaside, FL

Seaside Prize Weekend honors Allan B. Jacobs, great streets

by Susan Vallee | January 25, 2010

One of my favorite winter events at the beach is the annual Seaside Prize Weekend. It's being held this weekend (Jan. 29-30) in the town of Seaside. To sum it up: if you like great food, inspiring architecture and really smart people—mark your calendar.

Each year The Seaside Institute and town founders Robert and Daryl Davis award the Seaside Prize to individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions …

Amavida Coffee, Rosemary Beach, FL

Fantastic Art Show at Amavida Coffee

by Susan Vallee | January 22, 2010

I have to tell you, the art shows at Amavida Coffee in Rosemary Beach are something special. There is a passion for the art and for the community that is palatable. If you've never been, you must go. The latest exhibit is called "Views on Climate Change" and debuts tonight at 6:30 p.m. (Jan. 22) and runs through April 22. Eight artists have been invited to express their take on the subject …