For over thirty years, Ocean Reef Resorts has been providing accommodations for visitors to the Emerald Coast and are pleased that we have received numerous accolades from our guests for the provision of these distinctive vacation rentals. Although this area is known for outstanding deep water fishing adventures, championship golf courses, delightful family diversions, wonderful restaurants and world class shopping venues, the star of the show remains "the beach!" After all, the white quartz crystal sandy shores and jewel toned glistening gulf waters bedazzle everyone. Many of our properties are beachfront, right on the water. However quite a few of them are either within short walking distance or a few minutes away by bike, so beach access points are of particular value to our many visitors. Although we have vacation rental properties of all kinds extending from Destin to Panama City Beach, quite a few of them are on Scenic Gulf Drive in Miramar Beach or right off Scenic 30A along the forested pristine beaches of South Walton. Here is a brief review of the major South Walton public beach access points along the way for all of our Ocean Reef Resorts guests. They are listed in alphabetical order for your convenience.

The Blue Mountain Beach access is at the southern juncture of County Road 83 and Scenic 30A which is actually located in Santa Rosa Beach. This access has restroom facilities.

The 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 beach access handicapped accessible.

Ed Walline Park is right in the heart of Santa Rosa Beach at Gulf Place where County Road 393 converges with Scenic 30A. This beach access has restroom facilities and two picnic pavilions that sit atop a dune overlooking the gorgeous gulf. In spite of its dune top location there are ramps that meander down to the beautiful beach below so it is handicapped accessible as well. There is also a unique one story Observation Desk for viewing the gulf beyond and it is popular place to spot surfers and frolicking dolphin in the distance. Life Guards are on duty at the Ed Walline Beach Access during the summer season.

Grayton Beach Regional Access is in "old" Grayton Beach located south of the Scenic 30A and County Road 283 junction at Grayton Corners. CR 283 turns into Defuniak Street here 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 the popular Red Bar restaurant is located here. You will find the beach access right next to it at the end of Garfield Street. There are no restroom facilities however it is handicapped accessible. Just beware of motorized traffic since locals with special South Walton Beach Permits may drive their cars on the sand here!

Gulfview Heights Beach Access is in a residential neighborhood just south of Scenic 30A in between Santa Rosa Beach at CR 393 (where the Ed Walline Park is located) and Blue Mountain Beach towards the east. The turn off point on Scenic 30A is right at Goatfeather's, another popular local seafood 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. It does have beautiful vistas of the gulf though.

Miramar Beach Regional Access is located at 2735 Scenic Gulf Drive which used to be old Highway 98 once upon a time before Emerald Coast Parkway was completed. There are bathroom facilities here and plenty of parking since it is adjacent to yet another popular restaurant and bar called Pompano Joe's. There is a long boardwalk with several stairways that lead down to the beach. There is also a ramp at this location so it is handicapped accessible and life guards are on duty throughout the summer season.

Santa Clara Regional Beach Access is approximately one half mile east of the 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.

Van Ness Butler, Jr. Regional Beach Access is at 1931 East Scenic Highway 30A on the gulf side right in between Watercolor and Seaside. Restroom facilities are available at this access.

Ocean Reef Resorts has vacation rental homes available in various neighborhoods throughout South Walton County just minutes away from the beach and many are easily within walking distance. Neighborhood Beach Access is also available along Scenic Gulf Drive and Scenic 30A for most of our properties that are located off the beach.

Besides the public and neighborhood beach access points along Scenic 30A in South Walton there are also three gorgeous state parks which have bathroom facilities, picnic shelters and most are accessible to those with special needs. These parks include Topsail which covers a huge expanse of land bordered by Emerald Coast Parkway to the north, Scenic 30A to the east and Four Mile Village near Sandestin towards the west. The gleaming gulf of course is to the south and it is paralleled by with dunes that climb up to almost thirty feet tall. There are inland lakes in the forested interior and a raised wooden walkway part of the way for woodland tours.

The award winning Grayton Beach State Park is visually stunning since it is bordered by Western Lake and the gulf. Scenic 30A passes through part of it on a narrow isthmus on the approach into the Watercolor community. The park is a popular spot for kayaking, canoeing, surfing and Yolo Boarding. Gentle sugary white dunes cross over from the shimmering Gulf on the beach side to the pine forested shores of Western Lake on the other which looks like a piece of Heaven. In recent years Beach Travel guide guru Stephen Leatherman named Grayton Beach State Park as the most beautiful in the entire state of Florida.

At the far end of Scenic 30A you will find Deer Lake State Park which is in between Seagrove and Alys Beach. It is named for a precious coastal dune lake which makes up part of its interior. A huge amount of natural flora and fauna may be seen here on a raised wooden boardwalk that takes you from the parking area across the forest 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 is pleased to be able to provide a wide variety of excellent South Walton Vacation Rentals for your family and friends on or near the beach. We hope that the beach access points listed here will guide you easily to the sensational surf. Enjoy your stay!