SPRING AT THE EMERALD COAST

The Winter months are coming to an end and Spring is here! Many parts of the country are still feeling the lingering effects of Old Man Winter. This means only one thing... now is the perfect time to think about heading to the beach! Even better, it's time to start thinking about heading to the Emerald Coast and its sugar white beaches. Whether you are wanting a quick Spring break getaway or looking to plan your next Summer beach vacation, now is the time! Need more convincing? Here are a few of the reasons we think Spring is the most wonderful time of the year at the Emerald Coast

The Beach Is Great for the Soul
Winter can be harsh and not just the weather, but on the body and spirit. Long days of cloudy and cold weather are never enjoyable. Need a little Vitamin D boost? The beach is the perfect place to get just that! The Emerald Coast is a wonderful place, full of sunshine and miles of pristine beaches. It's just the kind of place to dust off those Winter blues and get rejuvenated. Few things cure the body and soul like the beach!

Warm Weather & Fewer Crowds
One of the best things about the Emerald Coast during the springtime is the fantastic weather. While it won’t be as warm as it is compared to the summer months, you can still sit on the beach and enjoy many things. Some of the fun things you can want are the pools and the waves; even though they may be a little chilly, it’s nothing like snow and ice you may have now. The crowd levels will be less, too, compared to our busier season of the summer months, so feeling like you have the whole beach to yourselves is just what we hope you would enjoy!

Spring Is Exciting
Spring is an exciting time for us at Best Beach Getaways! Each year we are lucky enough to add new units to our vacation rental inventory and Spring is the first time of the year that many of them are ready to rent. This means by booking a Spring beach vacation, you can experience some of our latest properties before the summer crowds!

Seafood Season Is Here
One of the major draws of any vacation at the seashore is sampling the local cuisine which of course means seafood. The New England Coast is famous for its lobsters and clams, the Mid-Atlantic region is renowned for their crabs but along the Florida Emerald Coast is the immense variety of Gulf fish (red snapper, grouper and mahi mahi to name just a few) and oysters, of course, that rule supreme on the restaurant menus.

The following is just a sampling of some of the delicious options awaiting seafood lovers from the Fort Walton Beach-Destin area to Panama City Beach, Florida. These include both high-end affairs and funky beach shacks where you can find the locals enjoying the bounty of the sea.

The oceanfront along the Gulf that runs from Fort Walton Beach to Panama City is often referred to as the Emerald Coast because of the distinctive color of the sea and the sandy beaches which have always made it a popular destination for family vacations. The area is also justly famous for its seafood, and you can enjoy it broiled, grilled, baked, poached, fried, in soups, on pizzas or as sushi.

If you’re looking for a romantic dining experience or a special occasion splurge, you have several classy options.

The Back Porch (Destin) is one of the more famous institutions in the area and first started as a rustic A-frame in 1974 serving soft drinks, beer, and fish sandwiches like their signature grilled amberjack. The operation has enjoyed a much more elaborate expansion since then with a sister restaurant in Panama City Beach and now offers local favorites like the firecracker shrimp, crab stuffed mahi mahi and grilled yellowfin tuna. Operating since 1995, the Old Bay Steamer (Fort Walton) is a crab lovers’ paradise serving king crabs, snow crabs and various steamer combinations of fresh gulf crustaceans. A more recent arrival in the area is Stewby’s Seafood Shanty (Fort Walton) and has since become the go-to place for outstanding fried seafood. The lightly battered and cooked-to-perfection oysters and soft-shell crab are among the highlights, but grilled options are also available.

Further to the east is Panama City Beach which has no shortage of excellent seafood restaurants. One of the most elegant is The Firefly with its romantic lighting and visually rich interiors. Not only are there specialized menus for martinis and sushi, for example, but unique in-house creations like the sweet wasabi crusted tuna with mango salsa and a soy and lime glaze. There are also plenty of choices for vegetarians and non-seafood lovers like the roasted beet salad or the pan roasted duck breast. Another top-rated gourmet experience is the Saltwater Grill featuring redfish etouffee, a pretzel and andouille crusted grouper and the classic surf and turf.

Capt. Anderson’s restaurant, a landmark family-style favorite on Panama City’s waterfront. Some of their one-of-a-kind delicacies include she-crab pie, Greek style broiled pompano and their famous seafood platter. The restaurant closes for the season in November but reopens in February every year. Another local institution is Schooners which was originally called The Last Local Beach Club until 1985 when new management renamed it. It has since evolved from a funky beer and hamburger shack into a local hangout offering live music and a much more extensive menu with seared crab cakes, tuna medallions and their popular Dixie Oyster Salad. If you’re looking for a laid-back, no nonsense dining option where local residents go, try Billy’s Oyster Bar and Crab House where you can get steamed Florida blue crab, Louisiana crawfish and homemade gumbos and stews.

Let's Get Moving
If Winter is too cold and Summer is too hot, Spring is just right for getting outside and getting moving! Whether you are a cyclist or a runner, kayaker, or stand-up paddle boarder, Spring is the perfect time to get outside. Longer days and moderate temperatures are perfect reasons to take your workout outside.