Santa Rosa Beach
Stretching 26 miles along Florida’s northwest coast, Santa Rosa Beach is the place to go for bright white sand, emerald water, top-notch dining and local art galleries and boutiques. Recent travelers recommend this beach town if you’re seeking prime shorelines without the crowds of Panama City Beach or Destin. Favorite spots include Santa Rosa Beach, Grayton Beach State Park and Blue Mountain Beach, where vacationers can swim, sunbathe, explore sand dunes, bodysurf and more.
Destin
Families flock to Destin for its white sands, gorgeous Gulf waters and frequent sunshine. With plenty of exciting activities to occupy your time – Destin boasts multiple adventure parks – this Florida mainstay has everything you need for a memorable beach vacation. Keep in mind, temperatures, visitor volume and room rates peak in summer. Travelers will find popular stretches of sand like June White Decker Park and Crystal Beach by the town’s resorts and vacation rentals, but for a more laid-back atmosphere, sunbathe on Henderson Beach State Park’s Appalachian quartz sands. Beachgoers may even spot dolphins, sea turtles and other critters during their visit.
