Valentine's Day in Destin and the Emerald Coast

Valentine's Day is rapidly approaching and what better way to celebrate, than a romantic getaway to Destin and the Emerald Coast?  This is the off season so rental rates are low and the beaches are all yours to enjoy. Ocean Reef has many private rental accommodations available ranging from charming cottages in picture perfect neighborhoods to sleek, contemporary condos and luxury homes right on the beach. Whether you and your loved one desire a Valentine's three day weekend or an extended mid winter's rest, we have just the place for you!

Valentine's Day has been celebrated in various forms for over two thousand years. It started as an ancient Roman celebration called Lupercalia held between February 13th and 15th which honored the gods Lupercus and Faunus. The first was their god of shepherds and the second was the god of forest and fields. It was always celebrated to herald early springtime. In medieval times, a holy man by the name of Valentine was unjustly executed on February 14th. Two hundred years later, the Pope declared him St. Valentine with February 14th being his day of special commemoration. The first Valentine's cards were sent way back in the 1400s! It became a holiday celebrating love in France and England and started to grow in ever increasing popularity throughout the western world. The tradition of sending a box of chocolates to a loved one began during the height of the Victorian age in the late 1800s. Now of course, cards and chocolates are joined by a myriad of other gifts and traditions. These include getting flowers, jewelry, candles, champagne, scented bath oil and even a certificate for a special massage at the local spa. Here, fulfillment of these traditions is easy, especially with the abundance of designer shops at Silver Sands, Destin Commons, Grand Boulevard and Pier Park.

Another popular tradition is to treat your loved one to a romantic dinner at a local restaurant. Here too, options are so wide open that the hardest part is making a choice! A few special places located from Destin down thru Scenic Highway 30A in the Beaches of South Walton, include the following:

The Marina Cafe located in the heart of Downtown Destin provides gorgeous harbor views with delicious entrees and seafood specialties. Ruth's Chris Steakhouse of national acclaim, borders Silver Shells offers awesome USDA Prime steaks, great seafood and New Orleans inspired appetizers. The service is excellent and the romantic setting is enhanced by live jazz music provided by Michael J. Thomas.

In Miramar Beach there are several choices at Sandestin's Golf, Beach and Tennis Resort. Those on Grand Boulevard, their official town center, include Mitchell's Fish Market, Tommy Bahama's and Flemings. Mitchell's Fish Market has over eighty menu items, priding itself on fresh fish not only from the Gulf but all over! Tommy Bahama's provides an almost plantation like setting, serving Caribbean inspired food from Jamaica to Barbados and beyond. Flemings Steakhouse has excellent steaks, seafood and an extensive wine list, all served in a comfortable, club like atmosphere. Inside the gates of Sandestin Resort at the Village of Baytowne Wharf, you should check out the popular Marlin Grill. The elegant yet comfortable surroundings have wrap around windows that look out onto the village green. Tantalizing, gourmet meals are accompanied by an extensive wine list as well. The SS Solaris is also docked here and provides magical dinner cruises out on the bay. On regular days, as a guest of Ocean Reef, you get a dinner on us if you order for two or more!

Heading down Scenic Highway 30A you come to Café Tango in Santa Rosa Beach. A wide variety of gourmet seafood dishes and fresh fish are served here in an intimate, candle lit cottage setting. Destin Chops 30A is a sister restaurant to the original in Destin featuring the same excellent steaks as it's counterpart.  Here the atmosphere is chic and contemporary. An amazing looking, up lighted bar done in blues and greens, actually silhouettes the bottled offerings. The Fish Out of Water in Watercolor is a popular gathering place and serves great seafood with views of the Gulf. Down the road in Seagrove Beach is the well established Cafe Thirty-A with an open, upbeat almost airy feel for casual yet fine dining. They serve seafood, beef, lamb, poultry and even veggie dishes as well as great martinis. National celebrities and musicians have been spotted here.

As far as the age old tradition of getting chocolates on Valentine's, there are two great choices. One is Kilwin's on Grand Boulevard. Besides chocolates, they make homemade ice cream and hand paddled fudge which is quite something to watch. The Candy Maker is a family owned operation that is over twenty years old with locations at Destin Commons and Baytowne Wharf. They specialize in salt water taffy, fudge, pralines and several varieties of candy apples. (If you are worrying about extra weight, you may want to participate in Destin's annual 8K Kiss 'em to the Finish Race as a prelude to the weekend on Saturday, February 12th at 9:00 am at the Track Recreation Center.)

Feel like dining in to have a romantic dinner for two? Nearly all Ocean Reef Resort accommodations include ample kitchens that can easily serve this purpose. You can make it easy by having it prepared for you in advance at Sarah K's Gourmet. (Their special seafood sauce is our gift to Ocean Reef Resort guests if you choose this option.) If the chef in you wants to play, be sure to head over to the Fresh Market on Commons Boulevard in Destin. You can have a cup of their delicious complimentary coffee while you scan the beautiful produce, check out their bakery, butcher shop, seafood section or gourmet deli counter. Also, where else can you find a dozen beautiful, long stemmed roses in all colors for only $8.99?!

No matter how you decide to spend time with your special love, Ocean Reef wishes you a life time of amore. Memories with your loved ones are precious.  In the years to come you may both remember that special Valentine's trip to Destin and the Emerald Coast at that unique, romantic place near the sea. Perhaps you will start your own tradition of love.