Emerald Coast Real Estate Blog

For the 7th Straight year the Walton County Tourist Development Council is picking up the tab for day-use visitors of Grayton Beach State Park and Topsail Hill Preserve State Park now through Labor Day.

The goal is to help increase available parking for beachgoers and to promote the availability of eco-tourism activities in South Walton.

This is a fantastic opportunity to explore our local parks and see nature at its finest.  Bring your lunch and enjoy a picnic.  Restroom facilities are available as well.

The Free Day-Use admission is available to visitors during the normal operating hours from 8:00 am to Sunset.

For additional information on Topsail Hill Preserve State Park click here.
For additional information on Grayton Beach State Park click here.

Navarre's Tourist Development Council UNANIMOUSLY approved this year's 4th of July Fireworks Celebration!

The budget had already allowed for fireworks, but the Council decided on a less elaborate package this year.

Due to getting rave reviews for last year's fireworks being presented off of the Fishing Pier, they will continue shooting them off there again.

Come early to stake your spot out to get the best seats in the house!

Mark your Calendar!  The show begins at 9:00 pm on July 4th and will be approximately 15 minutes in length.

For Locals and Tourists alike, BEWARE of a large presence of Jellyfish that have been spotted along an over 25 mile stretch in the Gulf waters in South Walton County!

The lifeguards overseeing the waters don't want you to panic and if the purple flags are out it shouldn't mean that you can't continue enjoying your day.  With the current along the beach we don't know from one day to the next if there will be jellyfish where you're planning on visiting.  Depending on the wind speed and the amount of marine algae determines the amount of jellyfish and where they go.

Upon arriving to the area that you want to stake your claim for the day, take note on what kind of flags are flying and take appropriate measures.  If you do get in the water and there are purple flags flying make sure to move if you see jellyfish around.  While most jellyfish stings aren't dangerous, some are and some affect people in different ways.

IF you do get stung and it's your first time, seek out a lifeguard in the area to find out how you can treat your sting as soon as possible.  If the reaction is too painful don't hesitate to call 911 immediately to get the care that you require.

It seems that EVERYWHERE you go they're working on the roads!  It's something you can't get away from but once it's over the traffic SHOULD flow better!  It's just the wait that takes so long!

Right now the 3.4 mile stretch between Emerald Bay Drive and Tang-O-Mar Drive is scheduled to be complete sometime this Fall.  Unfortunately, another project is preparing to ramp up sometime this month on Hwy 98 between Mack Bayou Road and Scenic Hwy 30A.  Both of these projects are ROAD WIDENING from 4 to 6 lanes and will include construction of new 5-6 Foot Sidewalks on the North side of the road, updated Pedestrian crossings where Traffic Signals are present and more.

While there will be some relief after the Fall, you can expect delays to last into late 2023 for the completion of the 1.8 mile section on Hwy 98.

So don't forget to PACK YOUR PATIENCE and leave a little early if you're travelling in that area.

You can almost set your watch to it, the Black Skimmers return to the white sandy areas along the Navarre Beach Causeway.  Arriving in April and then moving on in early September, they choose Navarre Beach because of its location where there are fewer predators that could raid their nests.

If you're traveling along the Navarre Beach Causeway for the next couple of months you'll notice a lower speed limit to keep from disturbing these beautiful visitors.  If you'd like to get a better look we recommend you slowly park on the side of the road and stay in your car and roll your windows down to get a good look.  If you hear them squawking or moving away, then they're very uncomfortable and have more of a chance of running out into the road and getting ran over by a car.

Please take time to respect the wildlife that surrounds us so we can enjoy them for years to come.



Join us at the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village, located at 4323 Commons Dr. W. in Destin this Sunday, Father's Day!  General admission is $5 and Children 12 and under are FREE!

Come Hungry!!!  With OVER 20 Food Trucks to choose from you'll have plenty of choices!

A few of the Food Trucks attending include:  Bayou Billy's, Dr. Sno, Greek Gals Yummies, Kansas City Wings, Lonestar Kitchens, Waffle Boutique and Who Cut the Grilled Cheese!

Enjoy Live entertainment, a bounce house for kids and about a dozen vendors offering everything from axe throwing to face painting to craft goods and more!

Don't miss this family fun event!

Click here to find out more about the origins of
National Go Fishing Day!

Making plans for the kids this Summer? If your kids, aged 8 & 9 and 12 & 13 are lovers of Nature, they'll love attending a week-long camp at the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge in Navarre!

Children will learn hands-on, STEAM and inquiry-based curriculum that encourages investigation and lasting learning experiences.

Summer Camp Dates:

June 21 - 25 - for ages 12 & 13
June 28 - July 2 - for ages 8 & 9

The Registration Fee includes a t-shirt, reusable water bottle and all camp supplies.

For pricing and additional information e-mail Crystie Baker, Executive Director at crystie@emeraldcoastwildliferefuge.org

Spend some time with Dad this Father's Day!! 

We've got a few ideas!

WaterColor Inn & Resort
Saturday & Sunday - 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Why not treat your Dad to a well-deserved experience at the Spa, including a SPECIAL add-on!  He'll have his choice of a therapeutic muscle balm or warm stones, with the purchase of a 50 or 80 minute massage!  Dad can enjoy a complimentary Koozie with a complimentary Beer voucher to be used at Fish Out of Water!  Call 850.534.5010 for reservations!

For breakfast have Donuts with Dad, or enjoy dinner at the Havana Beach Bar & Grill to Celebrate Dad and enjoy one of their Father's Day specials!

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ROCK at ROSEMARY BEACH MAGIC SHOW
Tuesday, June 15th | St. Augustine Green/Owners Pavilion
7:00 - 8:00 pm

Do you love magic???  Bring the entire family and watch the International Magician's Society Merlin Award Winners, "The Pittman's", perform for you and be AMAZED!!!

Watch classic magic tricks, illusions and some surprises!

Click on the photo above to watch our video of this latest opportunity in HOLLEY BY THE SEA!
7204 Frankfort St.
4 BD  |  2 BA  |  2,389 SF  |  Offered at $449,000

CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR PRIVATE SHOWING TODAY!

MAKE YOUR PLANS TO VISIT SEASIDE
THIS MONTH!
SEE ALL OF THE ACTIVITIES SCHEDULED FOR JUNE

Air National Guard Band of The South Performance - Lyceum Lawn
Wednesday, June 23rd @ 7:00 pm
We welcome the Air National Guard Band back to perform and inspire patriotism and for a deeper appreciation of the history and legacy of the Air Force

Children's Theatre Performance
Monday, June 14th & June 21st @ 6:30 - The Tales of King Arthur

Vinyasa Yoga at the Seaside Pavilion - 8:30-9:30 am
Join in Sunday through Friday (weather permitting).
Bring your own mat or towel and something to hydrate.
Classes are $20 - payments accepted through Venmo, Cash or Check
Come early!  Max class size is 14.

Huck & Lilly Children's Music - 5:30 - Tuesdays & Thursdays
At the Amphitheatre, weather permitting

Stories by the Sea - Pop up Theatre - 4:00 pm - Tuesdays & Thursdays
At the top of the Seaside Amphitheater along the tree-lined path and across the street from Great Southern

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As Spring turns into Summer and everyone begins wandering outside from the long year we've experienced from COVID-19, the few Parking Lots with Beach Access along Gulf Blvd. on Navarre Beach have been constantly FULL on the weekends.

2 lots specifically were addressed in June's Tourist Development Council meeting due to Handicapped parking problems.  Because these lots are not paved or marked, beach goers are taking up every inch they can find.  They're unaware there are Handicapped Parking spaces or they're supposed to be parking on the sides of the lots and leaving the middle of the lots open for cars to Enter and Exit.

Now the Tourist Development Council is taking action to find a "fix" for this problem.  Right now they're placing barricades in the middle of the parking lots from Friday nights through Sunday nights and removing them during the week.  We're not sure what will happen when Summer arrives.....

The most sensible solution would be to pave the lots and mark the handicap and parking spots so it can clearly be seen where people are supposed to park.  But with that, it means it will cost money.  The Tourist Development Director has approached the county's risk management department about the possibility of paving but haven't received a quote yet for the project.  If there hasn't been a solution by the August meeting they will revisit the subject again.

But for now.... PLEASE follow the rules of these parking lots so that everyone can enjoy their visit to Navarre Beach.  Make sure you don't...

COMING SOON!

WATERSOUND ORIGINS!
Click the photo to take a tour of this beautiful home!
4 Bdrms  |  3 Bath  |  2,300 SF  |  Offered at $925,000
Features include an Open Floor Plan, 10' Ceilings, 8' Doors, Crown Molding, Hardwood Pine flooring in main living areas, Travertine flooring in the Bathrooms!
Screened in Porch, Fenced Back yard and backs up to a community park!

NAVARRE BEACH!

3 Bdrms  |  2 Bath  |  Gulf Front |  Offered at $950,000
Imagine waking up to the beautiful views of the Gulf of Mexico just out your back door!  This end unit townhome features an Open Concept floor plan, tile flooring throughout, separate Dining area, Breakfast Barnad upstairs King-Sized Master Bedroom

HOLLEY BY THE SEA in NAVARRE!

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The April Unemployment numbers for April were released in mid-May.  Not surprisingly, the Panhandle is enjoying some of the lowest rates of the entire state.  The Unemployment Rate for the entire state is 4.8%.

The highest Unemployment rates is in Osceola County at 6.7% with the Lowest rate in Monroe County at 3.2%

Here's how our area counties stack up:

Okaloosa:  3.7%
Santa Rosa:  3.8%
Walton:  4%
Bay:  4.4%
Escambia: 4.9%