South Walton Visitor's Viewpoint

[phaw]

My family has vacationed in SoWal about 5 or 6 times over the last 20 years. We stay at the Old Florida Cottages and use the Gulfview Heights Regional Access to go to the stunning white beach and amazing blue water. The last time we were here was about 9 years ago so we were really looking forward to our vacation this year. Unfortunately we were saddened and shocked by this year's experience. Things have changed....and not for the good I'm afraid. The amount of new buildings is astonishing. It's almost as if you're determined to build on every last square inch of land. Golf carts are EVERYWHERE. The traffic is horrible. We really can't understand how it can be legal, or safe, for these lightweight carts to share a road with a 2 ton car.
Lastly those lovely beaches are now zoned so only certain people can go in particular stretches...what???? The signs even say that you must walk on the waters edge if you have to walk through......wow!!!
Sowal used to be a paradise....now it's just like any other seaside town. You sold yourself out. This is what happens when money and human beings interfere. They ruin everything. What a shame.
We'll remember you, Sowal, for the way you where. Thank goodness we experienced you when it was a paradise....we're thankful for that. We won't be back, we'll find somewhere else....somewhere more peaceful and ideallic. Somewhere where humans haven't ruined yet. Thanks for the amazing memories. Good luck in the future.....you're gonna need it. P

 

[James Bentwood]

While I appreciate you sharing your perspective - I'm not sure why you feel a need to point the finger - "you, you, you" - make sure to look in the mirror because greed and tourism is part of the human experience. Our county has sold out to developers.

Also realize that Memorial Day weekend, 4th of July week, and Atlanta spring break week are locals' nightmares.

Sadly it is the story of Florida - over development and too much tourism. You're perceptions are valid, just remember that 9 years ago when you thought it was perfect, many people were lamenting it was perfect 9 years before that, and so on.

We are very lucky to have some protected lands and we need to remain vigilant about that and not let developers grab it for roads or anything else.

You will find a lot of people on here agree with you about golf carts. They gotta go.

 

[bob bob]

My family has vacationed in SoWal about 5 or 6 times over the last 20 years. We stay at the Old Florida Cottages and use the Gulfview Heights Regional Access to go to the stunning white beach and amazing blue water. The last time we were here was about 9 years ago so we were really looking forward to our vacation this year. Unfortunately we were saddened and shocked by this year's experience. Things have changed....and not for the good I'm afraid. The amount of new buildings is astonishing. It's almost as if you're determined to build on every last square inch of land. Golf carts are EVERYWHERE. The traffic is horrible. We really can't understand how it can be legal, or safe, for these lightweight carts to share a road with a 2 ton car.
Lastly those lovely beaches are now zoned so only certain people can go in particular stretches...what???? The signs even say that you must walk on the waters edge if you have to walk through......wow!!!
Sowal used to be a paradise....now it's just like any other seaside town. You sold yourself out. This is what happens when money and human beings interfere. They ruin everything. What a shame.
We'll remember you, Sowal, for the way you where. Thank goodness we experienced you when it was a paradise....we're thankful for that. We won't be back, we'll find somewhere else....somewhere more peaceful and ideallic. Somewhere where humans haven't ruined yet. Thanks for the amazing memories. Good luck in the future.....you're gonna need it. P

Amen brother! Hopefully you had some fun - the weather and water is as good as it gets the last few days.

Paving Grayton Beach road is about when SoWal jumped the shark. Once it started being marketed as "30A', the "beautiful" people arrived and killed the beach charm. It used to be all about the beach now it's about dollars and the "beach lifestyle" which includes $80,000 jeeps and other toys.

 

[Teresa]

I appreciate hearing from visitors. Yes lots of change has happened over many years and much more to come. This town is still in its youth. It isn't even a real town yet.

The customary public use of our beaches has been a lengthy and expensive legal battle still in process. Few other Florida communities have experienced the battles over public v. private beaches to the extent that we have in South Walton Florida. We have Mike Huckabee to thank for that fiasco who has now left the area. A very unfortunate situation for Walton County. One that will end in compromise and it won't ever be as it should be but the TDC is working to expand public beach accesses as much as possible.

I love our beach town. Still uniquely beautiful with over 40% of the area remaining naturally preserved lands and forests and coasts. I can live with the development as long as we can keep our wildflowers, trees, and quiet bayside life.

Also this is home to some of the most outstanding businesses, restaurants, shopping, festivals, cultural arts and events, and wonderful people living and working here who call South Walton home. Some of our beach towns have created unique walkable communities with beautiful parks and outdoor spaces open to everyone to enjoy.

One thing that many frequent visitors have learned is when to come and enjoy the beaches during fall, winter and late spring. It can still be busy but you don't have crazy crowds or traffic. Know when to go.

We are fortunate to live in a uniquely beautiful piece of earth on the Florida Panhandle where the weather is wonderful (besides Jul/Aug), we see abundant wildlife, and treasure our Florida State Parks, coastal dune lakes, State forests and trails, and some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

For a town without dedicated government, we do have outstanding public safety services (fire and emergency services dedicated to South Walton, and County sheriff's office). I'm thankful.

No it's not perfect. But we now have several Publix stores and I'm good.

When out and about during the season, I just chill and take it easy behind those annoying golf carts. And let those pedestrians and kids on bikes cross the road. No hurry. Enjoy the scenic highway and glimpse the Gulf if possible.

I could live without the chair and umbrella setups taking over every inch of the beach. I don't believe anything should be allowed to be set up on any beach unless it's for use by people in that moment. Beaches should be kept clear of stuff and pristine at all times. And I would like a place to sit that isn't sandwiched between other people. I would like the beach to be free of vendors entirely. At least only setups for actual people and not blocking access to the shore and water.

Spring break? Well that's another story. Time to hide in the woods. I'll see the beaches when the time is right.

 

[Jimmy T]

Investors came in, bought the house next to ours, kicked out the long-term renters, and remodeled it to be a short term rental. Now it's party time by the pool every day. Kinda sucks sometimes, but I still wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

 

[justhavinfun]

I live on Eastern Lake and have owned since 2000 ,lived there since 2010 and can attest to the crazy amount of traffic, golf carts and tourists. I'm lucky enough to still have a 2nd home up in Kentucky so now I spend my time living there when the tourist season is in full bloom (Which seems like year round these days). While I'm fortunate to be able to come and go, I truly sympathize with the locals who have to put up with this nonsense all the time. Some people might feel that is a minor headache to deal with when you have the gulf at your back door. But if takes an hour tonged there due to traffic and golf carts, what's the point? They truly paved paradise to put up a golf cart parking lot