What's New in South Walton Winter 2022

What’s New in Walton County Winter 2022

Walton County, FL – January 18, 2022 – Whether you’re looking for a new favorite restaurant, a place to grab a drink with friends or a new place to stay on your next visit, there’s something for everyone in Walton County.

New Regional Beach Access:

Scenic Gulf Drive Regional Beach Access

Construction for the new Scenic Gulf Drive Regional Beach Access is expected to be finished by June 2022. The new public beach access will offer free access to 400-feet of sugar-white sand. There will be 20 vehicle parking spaces, nine golf cart parking spaces, bike parking, a large deck plaza, an ADA accessible boardwalk/dune walkover, restroom facilities and a picnic pavilion.

• Address: 907 Scenic Gulf Drive, Miramar Beach, FL 32550.
• Press Release: visitsouthwalton.com/news/press-release/walton-county-breaks-ground-on-new-scenic-gulf-drive-regional-beach-access/ 

New Things to Do:

WaterSound Monarch Art Trail

The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County kicked off started the Annual Flutterby Arts Festival Weekend by officially opening the Watersound Monarch Art Trail. The mile long trail features eight curated sculptures and one bench from local and national artists celebrating the Monarch butterfly that migrates through the area every fall. The trail starts at the Southeast section of the intersection of Hwy 98 and S. Watersound Parkway.

• Website: culturalartsalliance.com/post/opening-of-watersound-monarch-art-trail-to-lift-flutterby-arts-festival-weekend-off-the-ground

Rosemary Beach Sculpture Exhibition 2021-2022
The theme of the 2021-2022 exhibition is “Caring About Tomorrow: Exploring Environmental Independence Through Art.” The exhibition opened on Labor Day Weekend, Sept. 4 and will close on Sept. 5, 2022.

The 2021-2022 show will be the third installment for the sculpture trail throughout Rosemary Beach. The purpose of the exhibition is to enhance the quality and excellence of Rosemary Beach through complementing its architectural heritage and natural beauty with outdoor sculptures; and to contribute to the cultural arts environment in our county and surrounding areas. Find maps and descriptions more info about the exhibit online.

• Website: rosemarybeachsculpture.com/about-1 

Seaside Self-Guided Walking Tour

Learn about the history, people and architecture of Seaside with a free self-guided walking tour from Otocast. Hear interviews from architects and locals involved with creating beautiful homes and other points of interest.

• Website: seasidefl.com/news/seaside-institute-launches-self-guided-walking-tour-of-seaside?utm_campaign=content-marketing-promotion&utm_medium=post&utm_source=facebook

New Businesses:

The Beaufort Bonnet Company

This upscale baby and children’s clothing and lifestyle brand will open their first brick and mortar store in early 2022 at the Grand Boulevard Town Center in Miramar Beach. The Beaufort Bonnet Company’s flagship store will feature a range of timeless apparel, refined accessories, gifts as well as the brand’s signature baby bonnets.

• Website: thebeaufortbonnetcompany.com/  
• Address: 600 Grand Boulevard, Miramar Beach, FL 32550

The Chicken Shack
Brought to you by Chef Jim Shirley, The Chicken Shack is a family-friendly, walk-up restaurant serving a variety of chicken dishes from around the world, including the best fried chicken in the panhandle. Every mama’s chicken. Set to open early 2022.

• Website: thechicken-shack.com

• Address: 87 Central Square, Santa Rosa Beach, FL, 32459

C-BAR
No need to contain your excitement for Chef Jim Shirley’s newest addition to the Great Southern experience, the C-Bar! Grab a seat at this custom, upcycled shipping container and unpack your day as you sip and snack on a selection of your favorite cocktails and menu items from the Great Southern Café! Opening is currently set for early 2022.

• Website: thecbar.com 

• Address: 87 Central Square, Santa Rosa Beach, FL, 32459

Fatboys is the newest restaurant in Miramar Beach serving burgers, wings and more. The beef is juicy and the chicken is tasty. It’s what we do! 

• Website: ilovefatboys.com/ 
• Address: 10859 Emerald Coast Parkway, STE 105 Miramar Beach, FL, 32550.
• Phone: (850) 842-2807

30A Axe Throwing Company is a friendly atmosphere to enjoy a competitive match of axe throwing with your crew and to unwind with some great craft beers, natural wines, and small plates. We hope you come visit us and that you enjoy our space and much as we do. 

• Website: 30aaxe.com 
• Address: 4552 US-98 Suites 7-8, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
• Phone: (850) 517-4520

30A Cork & Barrel is a high-end bottle shop featuring highly allocated and hard-to-find premium wines, bourbon, and spirits, as well as your everyday favorites. Creating connections while inspiring and nurturing unique experiences around premium spirits in Rosemary Beach, as 30A Cork & Barrel aspires to be distinguished by the allocated goods that we offer.

• Website: 30Acorkandbarrel.com   

• Address: 104 N. Barrett Square, Rosemary Beach, FL 32459
• Phone: (850) 399-4919

30A Blue Crawfish Company

Located within The Hub, 30A Blue Crawfish Company specializes Cajun and creole cuisine. You’ll find everything from boudin bombs and crawfish etouffee to red beans and rice with sausage and barbecue shrimp. 

• Website: facebook.com/30abluecrawfishcompany/

• Address: 7000 E County Hwy 30A, WaterSound, FL 32461
• Phone: (337) 450-9399

40^th Street Pizza is family owned and operated in Miramar Beach. The restaurant is a piece of our own personal family history. Expect great food and service to any and everyone who comes by!

• Website: 40thstreetpizza.com/
• Address: 11394 US-98 W, Miramar Beach, FL 32550
• Phone: (850) 424-6588

The Green Stream
The newest Airstream in Seaside serves raw cold-pressed juice, real fruit smoothies, acai and pitaya bowls, wellness shots, avocado toast and more delicious options!

• Website: shop

• Address: 2235 E County Hwy 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
• Contact: thegreenstream@outlook.com

New Offers from Local Businesses 

Idyll Hounds Brewing Company

Can’t decide if you want coffee or beer? Idyll Hounds will have you covered starting Jan. 18 with the Joe Porter, also available in cans! The delicious Porter beer is brewed with vanilla and Amavida Coffee. Visit the website for more information about upcoming beer releases, events and other happenings. 

• Website: idyllhoundsbrewingcompany.com/ 
• Address: 845 Serenoa Rd, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
• Phone: (850) 231-1138

FARM & FIRE
Starting January 10, 2022, Farm & Fire will be temporarily closing for remodels in which they will be refreshing their kitchen and adding the double-sided bar previously used at Whiskey Bravo so that guests will be able to look out over the bay no matter where they sit.

• Website: farmandfirepizza.com
• Address: 24200 US Hwy. 331 S, Santa Rosa Beach, FL, 32459
• Phone: 850-622-3871
• Closing Date For Remodels: January 10, 2022

Hibiscus Coffee and Guesthouse
Hibiscus Coffee & Guesthouse now offers locals discount in our Hibiscus Cafe. Locals loyalty cards (purchase 10 drinks get 1 free)

• Website: hibiscusflorida.com
• Address: 85 Defuniak Street Santa Rosa Beach FL 32459
• Phone: (850) 231-1734

Ovide

The Hotel Effie Sandestin signature restaurant is launching a new brunch menu and experience. Featuring five new delicious items, new mimosa flights, live jazz trio (Jones and Company every Saturday!) and more. Ovide’s new brunch menu will now be served at 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays. 

• Website: hoteleffie.com/dining/ovide
• Address: 1 Grand Sandestin Blvd, Miramar Beach, FL 32550
• Phone: (850) 351-3030

Shunk Gulley

Don't miss Gamedays at Shunk Gulley's NEW Gulley Bar! Watch your favorite teams and enjoy sound on for feature games every weekend this Fall in our NEW Gulley Bar upstairs at Shunk Gulley! Come early and get your seat.

• Website: shunkgulley.com

• Address: 1875 S. County Highway 30A
• Phone: (850) 622-2733

New Lodging and Renovations

The Court

Previously serving as the “Motor Court” in the Seaside beach neighborhood, The Court is a new lodging option offering eight luxurious boutique guest residencies that surround a landscaped garden just steps from Central Square dining, shopping, walking trails and the Gulf. Book the 2.5 story suite, “The Ivory Tower” to enjoy a view of the Gulf from the tower loft.

• Website: thecourtseaside.com/
• Address: 215 Quincy Cir, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459

The Lodge 30A

The Lodge 30A is a boutique hotel being built on Scenic Hwy 30A in Seagrove Beach. Plans call for a picturesque three-story hotel with amenities such as a fitness center and outdoor pool. Architecture plans and interior design concepts employ the use of natural materials in a modern way, taking inspiration South Walton’s beautiful natural scenery. The Lodge 30A abuts the 15,000-acre Point Washington State Forest, providing a convenient trailhead to access the state forest’s expansive network of hiking and biking trails. The boutique hotel will be part of the new Greenway Station, which will create an ideal space for shopping, gathering and dining in Seagrove Beach. 

• Website: ir.joe.com/news-releases/news-release-details/st-joe-company-and-brw-midgrove-llc-announced-joint-venture 
• Address: 4721 County Hwy 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, Fl 32459
• Photos/Artist renderings: https://joe.canto.com/b/ORTPL

WaterColor Inn

WaterColor Inn is receiving a major renovation to bring more family-friendly amenities to the award-winning hotel, adding 7 new suites (five 2-bedroom suites and two 1-bedroom suites with bunk bed areas), with each suites also including private patios. Additionally, a new zero-entry family pool with a kids’ area will be added, along with an expanded outdoor lounge area and a new indoor/outdoor bar. Renovations will be completed in the spring of 2022.

• Website:  ir.joe.com/news-releases/news-release-details/st-joe-company-and-brw-midgrove-llc-announced-joint-venture
• Address: 34 Goldenrod Circle, Santa Rosa Beach, FL
• Phone: (888) 991-8878

The Pearl Hotel

The Pearl Hotel’s 55 guest rooms are getting a full refresh, starting in November of 2021 and finishing in Spring 2022. The work will be carried out floor-by-floor to limit any inconvenience, and in most cases guests will not notice the activity taking place. This exciting room refresh is being overseen by Duncan & Miller Design of Dallas, Texas, the firm that created the original design of The Pearl Hotel, and more recently, the Havana Beach Lounge, part of the Pearl’s signature restaurant, Havana Beach Bar & Grill.

Upon entering the newly refreshed rooms, guests will notice an updated color palette of orange, blues, and emerald, bringing the area’s coastal vibe into the hotel. New flooring and area rugs pair with new custom window treatments to bring an elegant livability to each room. A beautiful marble topped café table and custom chairs have been added to each room, providing the perfect spot to enjoy breakfast or dinner from room service, or catch up on a bit of work. Individual Wi-Fi access points are being added to each room, along with state of the art in-room Video and Audio options.

• Website: thepearlrb.com 
• Address: 63 Main Street, Rosemary Beach, FL
• Phone: (877) 935-6114

Camp Creek Inn

In 2022, St. Joe Hospitality is slated to open a 75-room, three story boutique inn located near Watersound Club’s Camp Creek Golf Course. As part of an expansion of Watersound Club amenities, The Camp Creek Inn will have the most expansive wellness and fitness facilities in the surrounding 30A area. In addition to a health and wellness center, it will be the home to two dining venues, pickle ball courts and tennis courts, a resort-style pool complex with a separate adult pool, multi-sport fields and a golf teaching academy.

Guests will have access to all Watersound Club amenities during their stay, including Watersound Beach Club, Shark’s Tooth Golf Course and Camp Creek Golf course. Whether for golf, relaxation, or a private club experience, The Camp Creek Inn offers the perfect fit nestled within the 30A community and surrounding state forests.

• Address: 684 Fazio Drive, Watersound, FL
• Photos/Artist renderings: https://joe.canto.com/b/QTRAP

Kindest regards,

Patti Blake

About South Walton:

Located along a 26-mile stretch of Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast, South Walton encompasses an unparalleled strand of 16 acclaimed beach neighborhoods, each with its own traditions, charm and visual style. South Walton is renowned for natural scenic beauty, with more than 40% of the area’s land set aside for preservation. Its signature sugar-white sand beaches and turquoise water even earned one South Walton neighborhood the title of 2020’s “#1 Beach in America” from Dr. Beach. An upscale, yet casual place to unwind, South Walton is perfect for a rejuvenating trip, and is a home away from home where generations of families have built cherished memories. Learn more at VisitSouthWalton.com.