Ten Favorite South Walton Traditions

SoWal is full of special things to do and places to see, here are a few of our staff's favorites. You'll also find countless traditions from locals and visitors on the SoWal Forum. We'd like to hear from you as well so be sure to leave a comment with your favorite traditions.

1. Eat a Beach Breakfast of Champions
Since vacation calories don’t count, seize the day with one of those great breakfasts that you never get at home, whether it’s a scrumptious omelet from Another Broken Egg, an organic cinnamon roll at La Loba’s Bakery, or breakfast all day at  the Donut Hole.

2. Bike the Scenic 30A (Timpoochee) Bike Trail
It’s easy, it’s mostly flat, and it’s the best way to see South Walton’s unique towns and nature up close. Only problem you may have is getting very far because there is so much to see and do. Rent some bikes and take a nice ride along the paved 19-mile Timpoochee Trail, which parallels Scenic Highway 30A from Dune Allen to Inlet Beach.

3. Floating and Paddling on Western Lake
The peaceful waters of Western Lake are a great place to explore nature and get into a water sport like kayaking, canoeing, or YOLO boarding. You can rent any or all of the above equipment right on the lake at Watercolor’s Boat House.

4. Lunch on Airstream Row
Everyone will find something they like at Seaside’s shiny lineup of ultra-cool food trailers. From healthy smoothies to southern barbecue to gourmet-grilled cheese, there’s no better place to grab a quick bite and do some people watching.

5. Playing A Round of Golf
It doesn’t matter whether you’re an absolute beginner or almost a professional, you can’t come to Florida and not play golf. South Walton is sure to have a course ideal for your level and style of play, from the 6-hole Origins course in WaterSound to the highly rated championship courses at Sandestin or Camp Creek. There’s even nighttime golf at The Golf Garden in Miramar Beach!

6. Shopping Day at the Beach
Yes, the beaches are spectacular, but you’d be missing out if you didn’t take at least a few hours to explore some of South Walton’s great shopping options, from Sandestin’s Grand Boulevard to the Silver Sands Factory Stores in Miramar Beach to the fun and eclectic artist colonies in Grayton Beach, Gulf Place, Seaside, and Rosemary Beach.

7. The Perfect Beach Photo
You’ve probably seen one in a friends’ home: a picture of smiling family members on a sugar-white beach, all decked out in matching white shirts and khakis. It’s a classic South Walton scene, and one you can easily mimic… or put your own spin on it with fun accessories like cowboy hats or clown noses.

8. Watching The Sun Set
Unlike most Atlantic coast beaches, South Walton is geographically situated for spectacular sunsets over the water. Whether you watch it from the deck of Bud & Alley’s with a glass of wine, or on the shoreline with the kids, be sure not to miss nature’s amazing dusk display on the Gulf of Mexico.

9. Dress-Up Dinner
You’re bound to do some grilling and cooking at the beach house, and you’ll be grabbing a quick casual dinner on some nights, but everyone should have at least one night where they dress up (in a beachy way, of course) and have a celebratory vacation feast. There are several South Walton restaurants to accommodate you, from Fish Out Of Water in Watercolor to V Seagrove.

10. Fun In The Village
The Village of Baytowne Wharf in Sandestin is a social center of South Walton, and a great place for the family to hang out for an afternoon or evening. The kids may want to try the zip line or ropes course, while the adults can enjoy shopping or an evening of dining and dancing in one of the numerous restaurants and bars.

We hope you enjoy our list of South Walton traditions, and please let us know what your favorite traditions are!