Posted on 8/18/2017By the Ocean Reef Editorial Team
Ocean Reef Resorts has been providing distinctive vacation rental properties to generations of families visiting the South Walton for 35 years and continues to receive accolades from our guests for these fine accommodations. Although this area features outstanding angling adventures, championship golf courses, abundant amusements, wonderful restaurants and world class shopping venues - the star of the show is always the white bright beach! The shimmering quartz crystal shoreline and jewel toned Gulf bedazzles all! Many of our properties are right on the beach, however others are within walking distance or minutes away by car. Obviously beach access points are of particular value to our many visitors.
The Walton County Board of Commissioners has spent almost $27,000,000 since August 2016 to purchase premium beachfront parcels in an effort to provide additional access points. Their goal is to "Ensure continued ease to beach access so both locals and visitors can experience our beautiful beaches." This endeavor is special since many beach destinations across the nation have inaccessible private properties or commercial waterfront developments that hinder public access. Fortunately the county is dedicated to creating multiple public access points to the beaches of South Walton so that everyone can enjoy the sugary shoreline and luxuriate in the glowing Gulf waters. The expenditure is paid for with the reasonable 4% bed tax that is charged for short term rentals. This money is spent to maintain and improve area beaches, preserving this precious treasure that nature has bestowed to this part of the Northwest Florida. Most recent numbers on tourism to this area are currently up 11% over last year, so additional beach accesses are needed due to increased demand. The latest parcel was purchased for $1,537,500 at 907 Scenic Gulf Drive in Miramar Beach. This is adjacent to another beachfront parcel obtained previously this year will include 410 linear feet of Gulf frontage when completed. The other new access points are to be located in Dune Allen and Seagrove Beach. Most beach access points include a parking area, restroom facilities, dressing rooms, showers, a life guard station and the flag system that colorfully displays water conditions for safety.
Some of the most popular South Walton beach access points going from west to east are located as follows:
One Miramar Beach Regional Access is located at 2735 Scenic Gulf Drive with bathroom facilities and plenty of parking since it is next to the popular Pompano Joe's restaurant and beach bar. A long boardwalk has several stairways leading down to the beach and a ramp provides handicapped accessibility.
Dune Allen's newest beach access will be across from Stinky's Fish Camp, near the intersection of Woodward Drive and Scenic 30A.
The other Dune Allen beach access is located just west of Santa Rosa's Gulf Place and is on the south side of Scenic 30A. Restroom facilities are available. A ramp leading to the beach makes this location handicapped accessible.
Ed Walline Park is located in the heart of Santa Rosa Beach at Gulf Place where County Road 393 converges with Scenic 30A and features restroom facilities and two picnic pavilions on a dune overlooking the gorgeous Gulf. Ramps meander down to the beautiful beach so it is easily handicap accessible. There's also a one story Observation Desk for viewing the Gulf providing a popular place to spot frolicking dolphin in the distance.
Gulfview Heights Beach Access is in a residential neighborhood south of Scenic 30A between Santa Rosa Beach at CR 393 where the Ed Walline Park is located and Blue Mountain Beach. The turn off point on Scenic 30A is at the popular Goatfeather's restaurant. Restroom facilities are available here but it is not handicapped accessible since a long stairway leads down to the beach from the top of the dune.
The Blue Mountain Beach access is at the southern juncture of County Road 83 south of Scenic 30A with parking and restroom facilities.
Grayton Beach Regional Access is south of Scenic 30A on County Road 283, which leads into the charming somewhat Bohemian town center of Grayton Beach which according to a famous local motto has "Nice dogs, strange people." There are beach shops and a couple of great restaurants nearby. Here there are no restroom facilities however it is handicapped accessible.
Van Ness Butler, Jr. Regional Beach Access is found at 1931 East Scenic Highway 30A on the Gulf side right in between Watercolor and Seaside. Restroom facilities are available here.
Santa Clara Regional Beach Access is approximately one half mile east of Scenic 30A and County Road 395 interchange that separates Seaside from Seagrove Beach. It is just east of the San Juan Avenue intersection of Scenic 30A where Santa Clara Street intersects. Restroom facilities are available here.
The other new beach access point will be in Seagrove Beach directly across from the popular Café 30A restaurant.
Three gorgeous state parks along this route also provide beach access featuring bathroom facilities, picnic shelters and accessibility for the handicapped. Topsail in Miramar Beach covers a huge expanse of land bordered by the Emerald Coast Parkway, Scenic 30A and the gleaming Gulf with dunes that tower almost thirty feet tall. Inland lakes in the pristine forested interior are available for woodland hikes on a raised wooden walkway. The award winning Grayton Beach State Park is visually stunning encompassing Western Lake and the glorious Gulf near Watercolor. The park is a popular spot for kayaking, canoeing, surfing and paddle boarding. Sugary white dunes bordering the enchanting beach side and the forested shores on Western Lake on the other side look heavenly. In recent years Beach Travel guide guru Stephen Leatherman named Grayton Beach State Park as the most beautiful in the entire state of Florida. Deer Lake State Park is off Scenic 30A in between Seagrove and Seacrest Beach. It is named for a precious interior coastal dune lake that supports a huge amount of natural wildlife. A raised boardwalk takes you from the parking area across the forested floor and dunes to the beach. It is one of the most undisturbed natural habitats anywhere around and has a very serene beauty all its own.
Ocean Reef Resorts provides wonderful South Walton vacation rentals all along this route so take a look since many of our properties are just a short stroll away from the beautiful beach.
The Ocean Reef Editorial Team leads the market in vacation rental, real estate, and coastal lifestyle content, with decades of Destin & 30A expertise behind every story. As the area's largest locally owned and longest continually operating vacation rental company, we welcome over 200,000 guests each year and reach millions who dream of the beach. Our guides serve travelers, homeowners, and locals alike, sharing authentic knowledge you can trust-because this coast isn't just where we work, it's where our story began, and where we'll continue to welcome generations to come.
