Green Living
Eco-style Living
The Beaches of South Walton entice St. Louisans to indulge in the richness of an eco-friendly lifestyle.




photo by Steven Brooke

Where can you find a designated scenic highway, an abundance of sea turtles, sand dunes, bicycles, nature trails, shopping, secluded lakes, championship golf courses, emerald waters, and 26 miles of white sandy beaches? Not your typical beach community, but the environmentally friendly beachside hamlets of Beaches of South Walton, Florida. Fourteen idyllic communities along highway 30-A, located in the Florida panhandle, offer a variety of engaging experiences to explore as a family or on your own. There is literally something for everyone, and you don’t need a driver’s license to keep yourself entertained. The major form of transportation is the bicycle. Don’t worry if you haven’t been on one for a while; if you rode one as a kid, it comes back to you and it’s a piece of cake once you get the hang of it again. Shop until you drop… on a bike?  No way. There are baskets for your purchases, and your feet don’t hurt because you are cruising from one area to another.

The shopping in Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort was unique and diverse. Our first stop was Vert/able, an environmentally friendly shop where we picked up beautiful bags, then on to Vera Bradley, the fabric diva, with many stops in between, before ending at the Paint’n Place at The Village of Baytowne Wharf.

Alys Beach, Rosemary Beach, WaterSound and WaterColor, all young villages that truly appreciate the importance of preserving and protecting the ecosystems, adhere to strict recycling and building practices including the enforced height restriction of no more than four stories. It’s a beautiful view from a bike. And to think it all started with the hamlet of Seaside, the first planned community. The sense of community permeating Seaside and the other villages of Beaches of South Walton will entice you to return soon and even consider one of these spectacular destinations for your next vacation or second home. Jim Carrey, as Truman of the Truman Show, which was filmed at Seaside, mirrors the sentiment of the friendliness of the communities when he says…“Good morning! Oh, and in case I don’t see you…good afternoon, good evening and good night!”