Holiday Isle

Welcome St Louis!
Holiday Isle is a far cry from SoWal, and I rarely make it west of the Outlet Mall. I have heard nothing lately from anyone on Holiday Isle. I have a friend who lives there and they are always having problems with flooding when the storms come. I have never bothered to ask about the beach there, because his problems seem so much greater.

Holiday Isle is a far cry from SoWal, and I rarely make it west of the Outlet Mall.

Thanks for the reply! Geographically, where is "SoWal." Are there some Destin folks who visit this board?

The beaches may be fine, but many of the condos are under major renovation. They were hit hard last year and the year before.

SoWal (South Walton) is the portion of Walton County which lies south of the Choctawhatchee Bay. Walton County does extend about 1 mile east of Destin Commons (Bass Pro Shop), but most people regard SoWal to include the area from the Bay County line to the east, west to the Outlet Mall, and south of the Bay. When you get past these marks, the scenery changes drastically going from laid back nature lifestyle to that of Big Box Corporate America and the land of high-rises.

Duh, after doing one minute of research I realize now about SoWal. For some reason I was thinking Fort Walton Beach area, but I was way off!

Last time we were down we stayed on 30A (forgot the actually building, but it was at the intersection of 393 and 30A, across the street from the beach). Had an absolutely wonderful time. How is the beach around there since the storms? I like that area because it seemed alot less crowded than Holiday Isle where we usually stay. I will say, however, I'm a fan of Holiday Isle because of the locality to the jetties, I like to snorkel and all that...

I do have a question, though, that relates to SoWal. I'd say 7-10 years ago, while staying in Destin, we would always venture down Hwy. 98 about a half-hour to eat at this steak place. It was right off 98 on the north side of the road. All I remember is the place had some good steak, and off all things there was always a bonzai tree salesman in the parking lot. Anyone know of this place, and if it is still there? Wouldn't mind grabbing a bite there come May!

Between Destin and Panama City. Have you been to Seaside? Then just say around in that area, although if covers much more than that. Of course if you haven't been there in a few years, you will not recognize it.

This is what the beaches looked like on this past Sunday. This is Grayton Beach. 😀

...the scenery changes drastically going from laid back nature lifestyle to that of Big Box Corporate America and the land of high-rises.

That is true indeed!

St Louis 18 :welcome: I live in Missouri as well!! you really should venture off Holiday Isle and give 30a another shot......its so much nicer, and since you have a little one now the not so crowded beaches will be a plus!!!
good luck!!! and have fun planning your vacation :clap_1:

St Louis 18 :welcome: I live in Missouri as well!! you really should venture off Holiday Isle and give 30a another shot......its so much nicer, and since you have a little one now the not so crowded beaches will be a plus!!!
good luck!!! and have fun planning your vacation :clap_1:

Well, from one Imperialite (I grew up there!) to another I'll keep that in mind. Small world, huh!

I'll guess I'll have to wait and see how Destin is, but I definetly wouldn't mind going back to 30A.

:welcome:

That place you stayed at was one of the buildings at Gulf Place?
http://www.emeraldcoasttours.com/gulfplace

If you stay on 30-A you will be between good snorkeling at your usual place in Destin and St. Andrews State Park in Panama City Beach.

St. Loius,

I stopped at Holiday Surf last weekend to see how it was doing since my in-laws usually spend the winter at that building. The tennis courts and shuffle board courts are out of commission. Furthermore, we could not walk from the building to the jetties since the water actually was washing under one of the buildings between Holiday Surf and the jetties.
The beach is certainly narrower but what is left is still white and nice.
I would recommend you look elsewhere in the near term until the resort recovers.

That is true indeed!

From another St. Louisan, we spent many spring breaks on Holiday Isle, but once you come down here, you won't want to go back to the regular congestion, traffic jams, etc. up there.

Though the up side of the Holiday Isle area is that the density means you don't have to go all that far for your needs when you venture out of the condo. Grocery store and Target are short trips, and there are a lot of good restaurants close by. (Callahan's is overrated, but La Paz has some of the best Mexican in the area, IMO)

Duh, after doing one minute of research I realize now about SoWal. For some reason I was thinking Fort Walton Beach area, but I was way off!

Last time we were down we stayed on 30A (forgot the actually building, but it was at the intersection of 393 and 30A, across the street from the beach). Had an absolutely wonderful time. How is the beach around there since the storms? I like that area because it seemed alot less crowded than Holiday Isle where we usually stay. I will say, however, I'm a fan of Holiday Isle because of the locality to the jetties, I like to snorkel and all that...

I do have a question, though, that relates to SoWal. I'd say 7-10 years ago, while staying in Destin, we would always venture down Hwy. 98 about a half-hour to eat at this steak place. It was right off 98 on the north side of the road. All I remember is the place had some good steak, and off all things there was always a bonzai tree salesman in the parking lot. Anyone know of this place, and if it is still there? Wouldn't mind grabbing a bite there come May!

Was the steakhouse in a little strip-mall? Cattle Company was our local steakhouse, used to be VERY VERY good (until it was remodeled) and was located in Emerald Coast Plaza, home of the Santa Rosa Beach Post Office. It is no longer with us. CoCo's Mexican is located there now.

Sure are a lot of St. Louis folks here!..Me among them. I am also going to Holiday Isle in August and the only answers I can get from the resort owners concerning the beach are, "It is not like it used to be", " We are a lot closer to the water than we used to be", " Everything is fine, come on down." One lady said the sand that was on the east side of the jetty is now on the west side...Isn't that the channel? Someone at Jetty East said they have enough beach to put out the chairs and umbrellas.. HHmmm.

At any rate one of the guys at work has a relative down there and they are going to walk the beach from Holiday Surf and Raquet to the Jetty, with their camera and give a report and send the photos. I will let everyone know when I do.

I would like to go further west for the peace and solitude but I am bringing three grandkids, a daughter, and wife. They want to be "near the action." But maybe the good folks here could give me enough reasons to convince tthem.....

Later,

Ron

everytime i see a reference to holiday isle, i think of this place. many dollars spent and grey matter consumed there on the way to key west during college in miami.


jr

rsowensby :welcome:

Sure are a lot of St. Louis folks here!..Me among them. I am also going to Holiday Isle in August and the only answers I can get from the resort owners concerning the beach are, "It is not like it used to be", " We are a lot closer to the water than we used to be", " Everything is fine, come on down." One lady said the sand that was on the east side of the jetty is now on the west side...Isn't that the channel? Someone at Jetty East said they have enough beach to put out the chairs and umbrellas.. HHmmm.

At any rate one of the guys at work has a relative down there and they are going to walk the beach from Holiday Surf and Raquet to the Jetty, with their camera and give a report and send the photos. I will let everyone know when I do.

I would like to go further west for the peace and solitude but I am bringing three grandkids, a daughter, and wife. They want to be "near the action." But maybe the good folks here could give me enough reasons to convince tthem.....

Later,

Ron

:welcome:

Thanks for the info - please post some pics when you get them.