The Latest Stories from SoWal

The 2015 Seaside Writers Conference is slated for May 11-17 at the Seaside Academic Village, and offers the opportunity for beginning Read more... We'd love to hear what you think...you can comment here or on the story page. Feel free to share on your site, blog, facebook, or any other site.

“This is my favorite part, hear the bass thumping? Sometimes it’ll be tribal music, and sometimes it’s classical,” says Madra McDonald, Justin Gaffrey’s publicist. Read more... We'd love to hear what you think...you can comment here or on the story page. Feel free to share on your site, blog, facebook, or any other site.

The 27th annual ArtsQuest, traditionally slated for Mother's Day Weekend, is set to be a celebration of the arts wi Read more... We'd love to hear what you think...you can comment here or on the story page. Feel free to share on your site, blog, facebook, or any other site.

As the only dining and entertainment yacht in Northwest Florida, SunQuest Cruises’s SOLARIS yacht offers two unforgettable experiences in May that combine coastal cuisines with a relaxing cruise. The celebration begins with a family-friendly Cinco De Mayo Fiesta Cruise on Tuesday, May 5th from 7 – 10 p.m. featuring a three-course meal and live entertainment. Mom is the guest of honor on the Mother’s Day Lunch Cruise on Sunday, May 10th from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. “It’s not every day that you get to go on a 125 foot yacht,” stated James Murray, General Manager for SOLARIS. “These signature cruises offer a memorable way to celebrate in true Emerald-coast style.” The Cinco De Mayo Cruise in Destin begins with a refreshing Sangria cocktail to toast with at boarding time. Guests will enjoy the fresh coastal breezes as the SOLARIS cruises the waters and festive live music plays from all three decks. The fiesta continues with an organic spring salad, black bean and corn vinaigrette dressing and freshly baked rosemary bread with infused oil. Entrée choices include Jalisco Chicken (topped with a fresh cilantro, lime and tequila glaze), Carne Asada Steak (tender filet mignon in a chipotle, cumin and coffee rub with red chili cream) or Gulf Fish with Cilantro Sauce (topped with jalapenos, lime, almonds and cilantro). A special kid’s menu includes cheese quesadilla with rice and beans. For dessert, the SOLARIS chefs are serving a savory Cherry Chimis. The price, including a three-hour cruise, three-course meal and live entertainment, is $50 per adult and $35 per child. Boarding begins at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5th with cruise from 7 – 10 p.m. Set mom on ‘cruise control’ as she embarks on a time-honored tradition for the SOLARIS Mother’s Day Lunch Cruise in Destin Fla. It’s smooth sailing as guests enjoy the open-air sky deck and panoramic views of the sparkling waters. The three-course culinary voyage begins with freshly baked artisan rolls. Entrée choices include a fresh herb-encrusted Filet Mignon, Gulf Fish, Cheese and Fresh Herb-Stuffed Chicken Breast or Harvest Vegetables. A freshly baked Flat Bread pizza is served for children. The cruise ends on a sweet note with Chef’s Special Mother’s Day dessert. The price, including a two-hour cruise and three-course meal, is $58 per adult, $35 per child and $18 for children under 3. Boarding begins at 11:45 a.m. on Sunday, May 10th with cruise from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. Reservations required online or call 850.650.2519.

30Avenue's first merchants, Design, V. Read more... We'd love to hear what you think...you can comment here or on the story page. Feel free to share on your site, blog, facebook, or any other site.

One of South Walton's premier vacation rental management companies is celebrating 30 years of service in our community. Read more... We'd love to hear what you think...you can comment here or on the story page. Feel free to share on your site, blog, facebook, or any other site.

Your breakfast is served on the open-air rooftop deck at Bud and Alley's Waterfront Restaurant in Seaside beginning Fr Read more... We'd love to hear what you think...you can comment here or on the story page. Feel free to share on your site, blog, facebook, or any other site.

The Beach House celebrated their Grand Opening on April 10 with a private event benefiting the Emerald Coast Children’ Read more... We'd love to hear what you think...you can comment here or on the story page. Feel free to share on your site, blog, facebook, or any other site.

Justin Gaffrey, South Walton’s iconic self-taught acrylic artist, invites the public to a first-ever special event aptly Read more... We'd love to hear what you think...you can comment here or on the story page. Feel free to share on your site, blog, facebook, or any other site.

This Seaside Gulf front home is like no other. "Outside the Box" has been a favorite of super models, movie stars, Prime Ministers and discerning families from across the country. Read more... We'd love to hear what you think...you can comment here or on the story page. Feel free to share on your site, blog, facebook, or any other site.

Sun worshippers, surfers, beach babes, professionals, and entrepreneurs are all busy, whether in an office or on the beach. Read more... We'd love to hear what you think...you can comment here or on the story page. Feel free to share on your site, blog, facebook, or any other site.

With music woven into the fabric of our coastal culture, it only makes sense that Destin & South Walton are emerging as THE beach scene for music in the Southeast. Read more... We'd love to hear what you think...you can comment here or on the story page. Feel free to share on your site, blog, facebook, or any other site.

Introducing more than 6,000 photos for you to download and share for FREE! We are pleased and proud to share photos of our beloved South Walton. It's why we started SoWal.com - to share our love for the beach. Please help us spread the joy and Share SoWal! Go to www.ShareSoWal.com and you'll find photo galleries on Dropbox set up for beach towns, parks, activities, events, businesses, etc. Feel free to share and post any photos on your website or social media (please leave photos intact - don't enlarge or crop out watermark - we want them to look good!). Who might want to Share SoWal photos? Just about anyone - non-profits, groups & organizations, rental owners, business owners, realtors, marketers - or individuals - whenever you feel like it (it's fun to share with friends & family about upcoming or previous vacations). It's not a requirement but we would appreciate a credit line - "Photo courtesy SoWal.com" and link to SoWal home page - http://www.SoWal.com. if sharing on Facebook - please like our page and tag us - http://www.Facebook.com/SoWal. @SoWalBeaches on Twitter & Instagram. If you'd like to post the SoWal logo on your site or social media, there are images in this dropbox or go to http://SoWal.com/link-to-sowal. We also encourage you to share or embed SoWal videos - find them at http://youtube.com/SoWalBeaches. And don't forget about our live BeachCams at http://www.SoWal.com/live. Contact us to have your business or event included, or to purchase high resolution images without watermark for print or online marketing. Visit our online photo store at http://goo.gl/P7QYIQ to purchase prints, framed photos, canvas and more products. You don't need a Dropbox account to use Share SoWal photos, but you can click here to sign up and try out the free online cloud storage service. All photos are copyright Kurt Lischka, Moon Creek Studios - http://MoonCreekStudios.com. Contact Kurt for stock, or assignment photography for rentals, real estate, architectural, commercial, and product photography.

Dr. Amber Wiebe of Santa Rosa Beach Dental and husband, Dr. Read more... We'd love to hear what you think...you can comment here or on the story page. Feel free to share on your site, blog, facebook, or any other site.

After having perfect weather for the busiest part of Spring Break we have turned kinda soggy this week. Not near as bad as what the the weather gurus have predicted though. I missed Sat, Sun. Read more... We'd love to hear what you think...you can comment here or on the story page. Feel free to share on your site, blog, facebook, or any other site.

Francisco Adaro came into this world an artist. Born in Buenos Aries, Argentina, he reveled in the ample inspiration provided by the surrounding culture and people. Read more... We'd love to hear what you think...you can comment here or on the story page. Feel free to share on your site, blog, facebook, or any other site.

We're all looking forward to outdoor concerts coming to SoWal beach towns this summer. Read more... We'd love to hear what you think...you can comment here or on the story page. Feel free to share on your site, blog, facebook, or any other site.

St. Read more... We'd love to hear what you think...you can comment here or on the story page. Feel free to share on your site, blog, facebook, or any other site.

Brotula’s Seafood House & Steamer celebrated their Grand Opening on April 8 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Destin Area Chamber of Commerce followed by a reception for the communi Read more... We'd love to hear what you think...you can comment here or on the story page. Feel free to share on your site, blog, facebook, or any other site.

YOLO Board invites all area standup paddleboarding enthusiasts to join the 8th Annual YOLO Board Relay Series scheduled for May 28, June 18, and July 16 at

The 8th Annual Mattie Kelly Estuary Family Festival is slated for April 25 from 11 am - 4 pm at Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park. Read more... We'd love to hear what you think...you can comment here or on the story page. Feel free to share on your site, blog, facebook, or any other site.

Gulf Place is the perfect place for artists of all ages! Read more... We'd love to hear what you think...you can comment here or on the story page. Feel free to share on your site, blog, facebook, or any other site.

“How Great Thou Art,” a unique art auction and fundraising event benefiting Holy Kidz Camps, is coming to Celebration Hall on Sc Read more... We'd love to hear what you think...you can comment here or on the story page. Feel free to share on your site, blog, facebook, or any other site.

One of the Emerald Coast’s most highly-anticipated charity events is back for its fourth year this spring. Read more... We'd love to hear what you think...you can comment here or on the story page. Feel free to share on your site, blog, facebook, or any other site.

I have been taking lots of families out fishing on spring break. Read more... We'd love to hear what you think...you can comment here or on the story page. Feel free to share on your site, blog, facebook, or any other site.