Destin/Miramar Beach Guidebook
Destin activities
The Destin Harbor is the heart of everything for Destin. About 10 miles from our house you will find most of the popular restaurants and water activities around the Harbor. Jet ski rentals, pontoon rentals, parasailing, dolphin cruises, a pirate ship cruise, charter fishing boats, and the water taxis to Crab Island are all available here through a variety of vendors. We do not endorse one particular company - a Google search will bring up plenty of results for you to browse.
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Destin Harbor
The Destin Harbor is the heart of everything for Destin. About 10 miles from our house you will find most of the popular restaurants and water activities around the Harbor. Jet ski rentals, pontoon rentals, parasailing, dolphin cruises, a pirate ship cruise, charter fishing boats, and the water taxis to Crab Island are all available here through a variety of vendors. We do not endorse one particular company - a Google search will bring up plenty of results for you to browse.
Crab Island is a natural sandbar right in the middle of Destin Pass (and next to the Harbor) there is very popular to hang out on. Hundreds of water craft will be anchored here throughout the day while people enjoy walking in the warm shallow water and soaking up the sun. If you don't have a boat, there are water taxi companies will run regular boats to/from here from the Destin Harbor.
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Crab Island Information Center
300 Harbor BlvdCrab Island is a natural sandbar right in the middle of Destin Pass (and next to the Harbor) there is very popular to hang out on. Hundreds of water craft will be anchored here throughout the day while people enjoy walking in the warm shallow water and soaking up the sun. If you don't have a boat, there are water taxi companies will run regular boats to/from here from the Destin Harbor.
The Beach
The beach is about a mile from our home and stretches East to West through the whole area. There is no one spot better than another, so don't fret too much about where you go. It's all beautiful! There are numerous public beach access points close to us, all along Scenic Gulf Drive. Two in particular with large FREE parking lots - one by The Crab Trap Destin restaurant and one by Pompano Joe's bar. If you go before 9am you are certain to find space, after that it can get busy. All parking is first come, first serve.
For beach chairs and umbrellas, there are a number of local businesses that setup up in the morning and you can rent spaces for the day. It is an expense but worth it. One of the largest in our area is La Dolce Vita (LDV) - www.ldvbeach.com
Other great beach information - www.visitsouthwalton.com
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Miramar Beach
The beach is about a mile from our home and stretches East to West through the whole area. There is no one spot better than another, so don't fret too much about where you go. It's all beautiful! There are numerous public beach access points close to us, all along Scenic Gulf Drive. Two in particular with large FREE parking lots - one by The Crab Trap Destin restaurant and one by Pompano Joe's bar. If you go before 9am you are certain to find space, after that it can get busy. All parking is first come, first serve.
For beach chairs and umbrellas, there are a number of local businesses that setup up in the morning and you can rent spaces for the day. It is an expense but worth it. One of the largest in our area is La Dolce Vita (LDV) - www.ldvbeach.com
Other great beach information - www.visitsouthwalton.com
Neighborhoods
"30a" is a term to describe a string of small beach towns along Florida Highway 30a between Destin and Panama City. The closest to us is Dune Allen and is about 8 miles from the house. Each town had it's own unique character with some one-of-a-kind local shops and restaurants that bring in tourists from all over the world. The movie "The Truman Show" was filmed in one of the towns (Seaside) while Alys Beach, with it's unique all-white stucco building code, is some of the most expensive real estate in Florida. The area is worth a visit and a bike is a great way to see a couple of the towns in one day. Several restaurants have Hollywood-grade chefs if you're looking for a fancy date night.
There are regular music, food, and wine festivals throughout the year.
https://www.discover30a.com/
https://www.discover30a.com/festival-planning-calendar/
County Road 30A
County Road 30A"30a" is a term to describe a string of small beach towns along Florida Highway 30a between Destin and Panama City. The closest to us is Dune Allen and is about 8 miles from the house. Each town had it's own unique character with some one-of-a-kind local shops and restaurants that bring in tourists from all over the world. The movie "The Truman Show" was filmed in one of the towns (Seaside) while Alys Beach, with it's unique all-white stucco building code, is some of the most expensive real estate in Florida. The area is worth a visit and a bike is a great way to see a couple of the towns in one day. Several restaurants have Hollywood-grade chefs if you're looking for a fancy date night.
There are regular music, food, and wine festivals throughout the year.
https://www.discover30a.com/
https://www.discover30a.com/festival-planning-calendar/
Baytowne Wharf is part of the Sandestin Resort just 2 miles from our house. It is open to the public even though there is a manned gate house (just tell them you are going to Baytowne). There are a wide variety of activities and festivals throughout the year and fireworks every Tuesday in the summer (which you can see from our dock). The restaurants are great and mostly locally owned - Hammerheads, Poppy's, and Slick Lips are fun and feature local-caught seafood. The Baytowne Marina next to the Wharf also has jet ski, pontoon, and paddleboard rentals.
https://www.baytownewharf.com/
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Baytowne Wharf Boulevard
Baytowne Wharf is part of the Sandestin Resort just 2 miles from our house. It is open to the public even though there is a manned gate house (just tell them you are going to Baytowne). There are a wide variety of activities and festivals throughout the year and fireworks every Tuesday in the summer (which you can see from our dock). The restaurants are great and mostly locally owned - Hammerheads, Poppy's, and Slick Lips are fun and feature local-caught seafood. The Baytowne Marina next to the Wharf also has jet ski, pontoon, and paddleboard rentals.
https://www.baytownewharf.com/
Food scene
Our #1 recommendation for Gulf-caught seafood, we like Boshamps especially for the laid-back atmosphere. And the restaurant is huge, so even in the summer we can usually find a place without too much of a wait (bar seating is open seating). The Grouper sandwich is the bomb!
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Boshamps Seafood and Oyster House
414 Harbor BlvdOur #1 recommendation for Gulf-caught seafood, we like Boshamps especially for the laid-back atmosphere. And the restaurant is huge, so even in the summer we can usually find a place without too much of a wait (bar seating is open seating). The Grouper sandwich is the bomb!
Our #2 recommendation for Gulf-caught seafood, Marina Cafe is a little more "upscale" and some of the dishes are $$$$. BUT THEY HAVE A FANTASTIC HAPPY HOUR! Drinks in the bar are on Happy Hour from 5-7 along with select appetizers. Dining room Happy Hour is 5-6 with 2-for-1 entrees. So here's how you should do this:
- Make a dinner reservation for 5:45
- Arrive at 4:50 and get in line - doors open at 5 and there will be a crowd right at the start.
- Go to the bar area and enjoy a cocktail or two on happy hour; their martini menu is especially good. Drink happy hour is ONLY available in the bar area.
- At 5:45 move to the dining room and decide on your dinner choice...time is of the essence
- Order your main course entrees BEFORE 6pm, because they will be TWO FOR ONE price.
- Enjoy!
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Marina Cafe
404 Harbor BlvdOur #2 recommendation for Gulf-caught seafood, Marina Cafe is a little more "upscale" and some of the dishes are $$$$. BUT THEY HAVE A FANTASTIC HAPPY HOUR! Drinks in the bar are on Happy Hour from 5-7 along with select appetizers. Dining room Happy Hour is 5-6 with 2-for-1 entrees. So here's how you should do this:
- Make a dinner reservation for 5:45
- Arrive at 4:50 and get in line - doors open at 5 and there will be a crowd right at the start.
- Go to the bar area and enjoy a cocktail or two on happy hour; their martini menu is especially good. Drink happy hour is ONLY available in the bar area.
- At 5:45 move to the dining room and decide on your dinner choice...time is of the essence
- Order your main course entrees BEFORE 6pm, because they will be TWO FOR ONE price.
- Enjoy!
If you're looking for a place the locals like, this is one of our favorites. Craft cocktails and 30 craft beers on tap, rotating menu (Monday night is burger night!), and a great atmosphere. There are two locations - this one in Destin and another in the Grand Boulevard mall.
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The Craft Bar - Destin
4424 Commons Dr EIf you're looking for a place the locals like, this is one of our favorites. Craft cocktails and 30 craft beers on tap, rotating menu (Monday night is burger night!), and a great atmosphere. There are two locations - this one in Destin and another in the Grand Boulevard mall.
Another "locals" spot right next to Craft Bar, this is a place we frequent for their Happy Hour. From 11-6pm daily, a wine carafe is the price of a glass (basically 2-for-1 wine). Dozens of cheeses and meats for awesome charcuterie boards and their lunch/dinner menu is delicious. They also have a location in the Grand Boulevard mall.
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The Wine Bar - Destin
4424 Commons Dr EAnother "locals" spot right next to Craft Bar, this is a place we frequent for their Happy Hour. From 11-6pm daily, a wine carafe is the price of a glass (basically 2-for-1 wine). Dozens of cheeses and meats for awesome charcuterie boards and their lunch/dinner menu is delicious. They also have a location in the Grand Boulevard mall.
This is a chain pizza joint, but if you ask us where to go for pizza, this is our recommendation. Hand-made dough, fresh ingredients, and fired in a wood oven make this a perfect place to relax for some comfort pizza. Their house wine is awesome, too - called "Mille Gradi".
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Grimaldi's Pizzeria- Grand Boulevard
780 Grand BlvdThis is a chain pizza joint, but if you ask us where to go for pizza, this is our recommendation. Hand-made dough, fresh ingredients, and fired in a wood oven make this a perfect place to relax for some comfort pizza. Their house wine is awesome, too - called "Mille Gradi".
Best Mexican food in the area but also our favorite for it's Happy Hour. 4-7pm daily they have drink specials and their house margarita features fresh-squeezed juice (not a mix) - fantastic. Happy Hour is in the bar only, but if you want a meal their happy hour food menu features some smaller bites that are still great.
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Cantina Laredo
585 Grand BlvdBest Mexican food in the area but also our favorite for it's Happy Hour. 4-7pm daily they have drink specials and their house margarita features fresh-squeezed juice (not a mix) - fantastic. Happy Hour is in the bar only, but if you want a meal their happy hour food menu features some smaller bites that are still great.
Mimmo himself lives a few houses down from here but even if we didn't know him it'd still be our favorite Italian. We've never had a bad thing on the menu but make sure to get the Garlic Knots as an appetizer and save room for Tiramisu. A great place for a date night - casual dining in a relaxed atmosphere. Reservations recommended.
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Mimmo's Ristorante Italiano
979 U.S. 98Mimmo himself lives a few houses down from here but even if we didn't know him it'd still be our favorite Italian. We've never had a bad thing on the menu but make sure to get the Garlic Knots as an appetizer and save room for Tiramisu. A great place for a date night - casual dining in a relaxed atmosphere. Reservations recommended.
Surf Hut is on the beach and a bit of a tourist trap, but if you're looking for seafood close to us, this is your best bet. It is good food with a great view, just a little expensive (because they're on the beach). It's walking distance from our house - bonus!
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The Surf Hut
551 Scenic Gulf DrSurf Hut is on the beach and a bit of a tourist trap, but if you're looking for seafood close to us, this is your best bet. It is good food with a great view, just a little expensive (because they're on the beach). It's walking distance from our house - bonus!
This quaint café is a great breakfast spot! Great coffee, high-quality breakfast menu items, and just 2 minutes down the road!
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2 Birds Coffee And Cafe
80 Seascape DrThis quaint café is a great breakfast spot! Great coffee, high-quality breakfast menu items, and just 2 minutes down the road!