The word SoWal (prounounced So-Wall) is an abbreviation for South Walton and is used when referring to the Florida panhandle beach communities of South Walton County on the Emerald Coast between Destin and Panama City Beach. From east to west these beach communities include Inlet Beach, Rosemary Beach, Alys Beach, Seacrest, WaterSound Beach, Seagrove Beach, Seaside, WaterColor, Grayton Beach, Blue Mountain Beach, Santa Rosa Beach, Dune Allen, Sandestin, Miramar Beach, Seascape. Directly east is Carillon Beach and Panama City Beach, and directly west is Destin. Point Washington, south of the bay north of Hwy 98, and Freeport north of the bay round out SoWal. The Beaches Of South Walton are made of clear quartz sand eroded and washed down rivers located to the east from the Appalachian Mountains. Quartz, a hard, durable mineral, survives transport by fast-moving streams, while softer minerals break down and dissolve, or remain suspended in the water. Sedimentary particles available for deposition along the Gulf Coast are thus pure white quartz.

A sand dune today was once, thousands of years ago, a mountain top near the Georgia-South Carolina border. Swept into the Gulf of Mexico, powerful currents pushed the quartz sand westward. The stunning white beaches extend from Cape San Blas in the east, to the Gulf Islands National Seashore of Mississippi to the west. Walton County does not allow pets on the beach, except for residents with a permit, during morning and evening hours. french dining chairs sydneyPermitted dogs must be leashed and only allowed during certain hours. budget massage chairsSee permit info at www.clerkofcourts.co.walton.fl.us.dining room chairs bargain The Walton County Tourist Development Council kicked off its "Leave No Trace" campaign July 23, 2009 in an effort to prevent items from being left on South Walton Beaches overnight. leather club chair glider

The TDC's goal is to create a cleaner beach that would be free of items that interfere with beach maintenance, emergency vehicles and sea turtle nesting. Under County Ordinance 2003-07, items such as tents, umbrellas, chairs or toys that are left on the beach for more than 24 hours, will be collected and discarded.Sleeping on the beaches overnight is prohibited. Yes, you must get a permit and pay a fee, and of course clean it all up! chair rental in albany ny Before Scenic 30A was completed, many folks hopped in their jeep and drove to the next town down the beach. pushchairs 3 in 1 offersIn later years, some beach driving areas were retained partly because of tradition, but mostly because there is nowhere else in Walton County other than the beach where you can launch a boat with direct access to fishing in the gulf. rental tables and chairs for party in orlando

These days, driving is allowed only on a small stretch on Grayton Beach and Inlet Beach only if you have a valid beach-driving permit. Fireworks at Seaside on 4th of July Florida allows limited fireworks for sale or use. Prohibited: Firecrackers, torpedoes, skyrockets, roman candles, daygo bombs, and any fireworks containing explosive or flammable compounds. Many visitors bring bigger bang stuff from their home states. outdoor table and chair rentals torontoThere are excellent fireworks shows at many towns in South Walton - Rosemary Beach fireworks, Alys Beach, Seaside fireworks, Pier Park at Panama City Beach fireworks, Sandestin fireworks and Destin fireworks. cheap pushchair for saleAlso, there are weekly fireworks at Baytowne Marina in Sandestin during most of the year. Schools in the South Walton area are ranked highly and facilities are modern.

South Walton has great fishing in the gulf, bay, lakes, and river. Unless you are on a commercial boat covered by a charter license, you most likely need a license. Red tide is a common name for a phenomenon known as a harmful algal bloom, an event in which estuarine or marine algae accumulate rapidly in the water column, or “bloom”. These algae, more correctly termed phytoplankton, are microscopic, single-celled, plant-like organisms that can form dense, visible patches near the water’s surface. Red Tide kills fish, crustaceans, sea mammals (like manatees and dolphins), and birds. It causes mild to sever respiratory distress in humans. South Walton Beaches have two main types of seaweed, both of which are harmless. Sargassum weed is coarser and plant-like with small round parts which are actually floats. It is quite beneficial to beach building and provides protection and food to a wide variety of marine life. Sargassum weed appears mainly in the Spring and is sometimes washed up on the beach in large quantities.

June Grass is the second type of seaweed, and is actually an algae which is bright green and fine, often described as slimy. This is the stuff some people pay good money to have applied to their skin in spas (seaweed treatments). First appearing in May or June, it comes and goes during the Summer, depending on waves, currents, and wind. We have a few different types of jellyfish in South Walton. Although they are not a big threat, a sting can be painful. Purple flags on the beaches often signify the presence of jellyfish. There are plenty of sharks on our coast but most are harmless and there are few close encounters. Do not enter the water if menstruating. Do not wear flashy jewelry. If you get cut while swimming and are bleeding, get out of the water. Avoid swimming at dusk. There are quite a few rental companies on Scenic 30A. Street legal golf carts are allowed on the roads where speed limit is 35 or below. Most golf carts struggle to even reach speeds of 25.

It's best to avoid driving golf carts on Scenic 30A or other major roads except for very brief stretches. DO NOT drive golf carts between towns where the speed limit is higher and traffic gets backed up behind golf carts. Golf carts are not allowed on the bike path in South Walton. The coastal dune lakes of South Walton periodically open and close to the gulf allowing an exchange of fresh and salt water. This is a fascinating ecosystem where fresh and saltwater species coexist. the lakes provide an excellent protected environment for species to breed and mature. The water from the lakes is tea-colored because of natural tannins from leaves and other vegetation. Jet skis are not allowed to be launched from the Beaches of South Walton, except by Gulf front homeowners. The 331 bay bridge is a popular spot for jet skis. Gulf jet skis and parasailing can both be found in Sandestin and Miramar Beach, and over the county lines to the east and west in Destin or Panama City Beach. Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast is at the intersection of Mack Bayou Road and Highway 98 just east of Sandestin.

There are few traditional fast food restaurants in South Walton, east of Sandestin. Drive throughs are prohibited in the Scenic corridor. Structures over four stories (50 feet) are prohibited in South Walton east of Sandestin. The few tall buildings you see were built before the ban. There are hotels in Sandestin and Miramar Beach, and a few Bed & Breakfasts on Scenic 30A. For weather the short answer is May and October. There are busy spots (in the Summer) and secluded spots on the Beaches Of South Walton. All the areas and towns have their own unique qualities and character. Do you like to walk to shopping and dining? Want to be pampered? Like lots of amenities? Like biking and hiking? Beach weddings in South Walton range from grand affairs arranged by an entire town management team like Alys Beach or Seaside or WatColor to small intimate affairs at public beach accesses. Beach weddings begin with a Florida marriage license and a permit from Walton County. The permit ensures that your spot on the beach is "reserved" for a particular day and time.