Locals and others who have made The Emerald Coast their second home, have sometimes said they were “destined for a destiny in Destin!” This goes back to the time when Destin referred to everything on the peninsula, from East Pass all the way to Panama City Beach. The same phrase can certainly apply to the Sandestin Golf, Beach and Tennis Resort, which is conveniently located about half way between these two points, in what is now called Miramar Beach in South Walton County.
Sandestin is the oldest and most prestigious resort on the entire Emerald Coast. Indeed this 2,400 acre, world class destination, is the only resort that straddles the entire peninsula from the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico on its southern side to Choctawhatchee Bay on north. Ocean Reef Resorts proudly offers numerous, high quality vacation rentals here in 
privately owned townhomes and condominiums. This beautifully landscaped vacation community is guarded and gated, providing an ambiance of special, privileged hospitality for those who are fortunate enough to visit here. Sandestin features many neighborhoods and high rise luxury condominiums, each of them unique in style and personality. There is something for everyone in Sandestin including properties on the beach, golf course, lagoon, lake and everything in-between! The beach side has miles of sugar white sand beaches available for walking, which overlooks the clean, emerald to almost coke bottle green waters of the Gulf. Four scenic championship golf courses meander throughout the property, past natural lagoons, all along the bay and over towards the beach. There are also excellent facilities for tennis, two health club spas, and multiple swimming pools. On both the beach and bay sides there is a total of over 65,000 square feet available at conference centers, banquet halls and ballrooms. This makes it a popular destination for weddings, special concerts and business seminars that need to accommodate large groups.
Dining and drinking establishments can be found on the beach at Finz Restaurant and at a couple of restaurants at the Hilton including the five star rated Seagars. Cabanas, conveniently located on the beach, also offer refreshments of the iced variety. (You can of course bring your own cooler and picnic items.) If you really want to get away from it all, the Topsail State Park beach is almost immediately adjacent to Sandestin towards the east. This pristine, forested nature preserve is complete with rare and precious Coastal Dune Lakes bordering the beach, which you can stroll all the way down to Scenic 30A.
The recently completed Grand Boulevard, parallels Emerald Coast Parkway, (Highway 98), and serves as Sandestin's official Town Center. It connects the Sandestin East Gate to the Publix grocery store and onward to Sacred Heart Hospital. This boulevard has upscale restaurants such as Flemings Steakhouse, Tommy Bahamas’s, Mitchell's Fish Market and Cantina Laredo. There are also numerous gift stores, designer clothing retailers, a chocolate shop and art galleries. Centered on the north side of Grand Boulevard is a town green which showcases dancing fountains and ever changing waterfalls. It provides a wonderful grassy lawn for numerous art shows, charity events, and outdoor concerts throughout the year. There are also annual events such as the Antique Car Show in the fall and even a Street “painting” Festival contest which is completed using colorful chalks.
Nestled next to the bay there is the Village of Baytowne Wharf, with a secluded harbor and a marina that has almost 
100 boat slips. It's fun just to take a stroll down the docks to check out some of these privately owned, magnificent yachts. Anchored there is the three tiered Solaris which offers great sunset dinner cruises, (with one complimentary dinner provided to our Ocean Reef guests!) There is a wonderful walkway from the marina, going along the water through the woods that even has tree houses for the kids as it takes you into Baytowne Wharf. Be sure to venture over to nearby Jolee Island as well, which has pirate forts, picnic areas and lots of places to explore. The village features colonial Florida Architecture, that's almost Disney like in its charming perfection and cleanliness. There are dozens of boutiques, shops, bars, restaurants, and even a night club for dancing. Besides being on the bay, the village is located on two sides of an extended lagoon with multiple bridges connecting each side. Baytowne also features a hanging cable ride allowing kids to swing over the water as well as other fun toys and even an artificial ice skating rink available in the winter time! In the center of the village there is an open town green and Events Plaza Stage where you can hear live music or even watch a film outdoors on “Movie Night.” There are multiple events here all year with Art Shows, Wine Tasting Festivals, Trophy Fishing Contests, Golf Tournaments, Costumed Christmas Caroling, Mardi Gras Parade Celebrations, and Easter Parties. This is also where everyone gathers to watch weekly fireworks shows which shoot off over the lagoon. On July 4th and on New Years Eve, these shows are quite an extravaganza as they are all choreographed with musical accompaniment. Be sure to stroll all the way down to the end of Baytowne Wharf where the dock extends way out into the water towards the west. In the summertime, the sun actually sets over the bay providing absolutely beautiful views as a cool band often plays live music nearby.
Ocean Reef is proud to offer wonderful rentals on Sandestin, including Beachside I, Beachside II, Beachwalk, Tivoli Terrace, Turnberry, and Westwinds. We have everything from luxury high rise condos on the beach to cute cottages on lagoons, with all different sizes and architectural styles to suit your customized vacation desires. It is our pleasure to help you fulfill your own destiny at any of these fine vacation rentals, year after year!
