Continuing what has become a summer tradition in South Walton, the Walton County Tourist Development Council is covering the cost of entry at two of area’s most popular state parks to increase available parking for beach-goers during the peak summer season as well as raise awareness of the variety of eco-tourism activities in our area. From now until Labor Day, the public will enjoy FREE day-use admission to Grayton Beach State Park and Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. The free day-use admission is available now through Labor
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Published on Thursday, June 21, 2018
For those staying South Walton and along Scenic Highway 30A, a great way to start the week is by enjoying one of the free outdoor concerts at Gulf Place on Scenic Highway 30A in Santa Rosa Beach. The free Summer Sunday Concert Series kicks off June 3 and each Sunday will feature a different local or regional band. With a variety of styles and genres represented, there is something for everyone. Concerts are from 6-8 p.m., and attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets to enjoy the show on the green. The schedule
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Published on Thursday, May 31, 2018
Our goal is to help our guests have the best beach vacation. As such, we enjoy directing them to our favorite waterholes, local hangouts and sharing what’s new in South Walton and Destin. For guests staying in South Walton or along Scenic Highway 30A who enjoy craft beer, we’re excited to share the news that Grayton Beer Company has opened the Grayton Beer Brewpub in the space formerly known as Craft Bar 30A. Grayton Beer Brewpub is the company’s second location that offers consumers the experience to sit and sip where the beer is brewed. Complementing
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Published on Tuesday, May 1, 2018
Do you enjoy being within pristine undeveloped lands, viewing native species in their natural habitat and taking in spectacular coastal views? If you answered “yes,” we want to let you in on a local treasure—Topsail Hill State Preserve.
In honor of Earth Day, we’re celebrating the area’s natural attractions. Topsail Hill is a beach-front state park that encompasses 1,600 acres! Celebrating 20 years since its founding in 1998, Topsail Hill features more than 10 miles of hiking and biking trails, five rare coastal
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Published on Monday, April 23, 2018
Couples are rekindling romance along miles of soft white sand beaches with a romantic escape to Sanctuary at Redfish on Scenic Highway 30A in Northwest Florida. Renowned for soft sugar white sand beaches, South Walton is the perfect destination to relax and reconnect.
Tucked off the beaten path overlooking a nature preserve and rare coastal dune lake, Sanctuary at Redifsh is a hidden treasure for coupes seeking a beach getaway to rekindle romance. Located in Blue Mountain Beach (one mile west of Grayton Beach), Sanctuary at Redfish is a luxury
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Published on Tuesday, April 10, 2018
Happy Easter Weekend! We're excited to welcome our extended family of guests to the beach for the holiday week. We know that many of our guests want to relax and eat out on Easter Sunday, so we've compiled a list of some of our favorite Destin and South Walton restaurants serving Easter brunch.
AJ’s - AJ's Destin, AJ's Grayton Beach, and AJ's On The Bayou are hosting an Easter brunch from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. The menu will feature their specialty brunch as well as bottomless mimosas. Families and friends can meet and greet with the Easter
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Published on Friday, March 30, 2018
Northwest Florida was one of the leading Florida destinations to embrace the stand-up paddle boarding movement more than a decade ago. In the spring of 2007, YOLO Board launched, highlighting a sport that was common around the globe to locals. In 2009, BOTE Boards launched with a focus on merging the capabilities of boat with the simplicity of board. It didn’t take long for locals and visitors alike to embrace the sport and SUP boards were quickly on waterways all along the Emerald Coast. Northwest Florida is well suited for
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Published on Monday, March 19, 2018
One of the joys of living in paradise is that our destination attracts talent. From chefs to artists to architects to musicians, locals and visitors alike enjoy the results of the talented individuals who reside in Destin and South Walton or make an annual pilgrimage to the coast year after year. We’re excited to welcome back many talented songwriters and musicians for the 9th Annual 30A Songwriters Festival, January 12-15, 2018. Among the many returning artists including Emily Sailers of Indigo Girls, Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum and
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Published on Wednesday, January 3, 2018
Excerpt from Florida Trend (Dec. 2017): “Fifty years ago, long before Zagat, TripAdvisor or Yelp, Florida Trend embarked on a novel project to find the state’s best restaurants. In a survey to 1,000 subscribers, editors explained “most of our readers—and all Florida Trend staff members—travel around our state a lot. The men who read our magazine like good restaurants.”
The “Mad Men” – era language reflected notions that restaurants were for businessmen who mostly wanted steaks, lobsters
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Published on Friday, December 8, 2017
Looking for a sanctuary by the sea? We’ve got it in Blue Mountain Beach. Nestled along one of South Walton’s rare coastal dune lakes, Sanctuary at Redfish is perched atop a coastal bluff with the lake to the west and a preserve to the east. This dreamy location along Scenic Highway 30A is coveted by those who dream of getting away from it all without giving up modern luxuries and amenities. For today’s Window Wednesday, we’re excited for feature our two new vacation rental condominiums at Sanctuary at Redfish #2109 and #1114. Sanctuary at Redfish #2109
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Published on Wednesday, December 6, 2017
One of the joys of coming to Destin for Thanksgiving is the breadth of options. Whether you choose to cook your traditional Thanksgiving meal in your vacation rental or choose to pick up a prepared dinner from a popular local restaurant or opt to eat out, the options for Thanksgiving dinner at the beach are endless. To help you decide, we've pulled together a list of South Walton and Destin restaurants that offer dine-in and/or carry out Thanksgiving feasts to help make your holiday celebration simply delicious:
DESTIN 790 On the Gulf:
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Published on Monday, November 13, 2017
Sanctuary at Redfish has served as a special retreat for many vacationers, and lately, this pristine resort nestled on Big Redfish Lake along Scenic Highway 30A has been making its way into the spotlight. Here’s a look at some of the recent coverage and what others are saying about the coastal oasis. “A Sanctuary at The Beach” by Karyn Slovin Excerpt from Johns Creek Magazine (Atlanta)
This Newman-Dailey Resort property is a private refuge on Big Redfish Lake, beautifully tucked away from the usual beach antics. My large condo balcony
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Published on Tuesday, October 31, 2017
We are excited to share the news that Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation is introducing a new wine festival this fall—The Harvest Wine & Food Festival. Held in WaterColor along Scenic Highway 30A, the Harvest Wine and Food Festival will provide patrons the opportunity to sip and savor some of the world’s finest wine and culinary selections while enjoying autumn at the beach. Tickets are on sale now for this highly anticipated new wine event. Currently ranked number three “Top Charity Wine Auction in the US” by Wine Spectator Magazine,
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Published on Tuesday, July 11, 2017
There is something special about spending a day along Scenic Highway 30A. Residents and visitors of this special coastal highway find themselves feeling relaxed and inspired. Newman-Dailey real estate team member, REALTOR Gloria Nobles, is fortunate to live along 30A and recently shared how she spends a typical Saturday. Saturday on 30A 8:00AM My husband and I and our son and daughter-in-law leave our condo at Sanctuary at Redfish to drive to WaterColor to play tennis with friends. The tennis pro welcomes us and puts us on a court right
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Published on Monday, June 26, 2017
Are you visitng South Walton or Destin, Florida this summer? If so, there are a vareity of free outdoor performances and events taking please all along the Emerald Coast. In Miramar Beach, Grand Boulevard at Sandestin is a great location for events of all kinds. For summer 2017, Grand Boulevard is featuring a variety of cultural performances that are free and open to the public. Every Thursday at 8 p.m., the Emerald Coast Theatre Company (ECTC) presents “Taming of the Shrew,” a comedic adaptation and family-friendly take on William Shakespeare...
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Published on Thursday, June 22, 2017
Among the topics that locals and visitors agree upon is an appreciation for wine. As part of our three part series on how wine is part of the fabric of the Emerald Coast, we conclude with local labels. Local Labels The focus on wine has spurred local labels as well. In spring 2016, the 30A company, whose mission is to offer the 30A lifestyle to fans around the country, introduced 30A Wines, including a chardonnay and a red blend. “Some people might think we just slapped a 30A logo on a random bottle of wine to sell as a souvenir, but that is
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Published on Monday, June 19, 2017
Summer and live music go together like Oreos and milk. Luckily, there are many great live music venues throughout Destin . And during the summer months, any venue large enough to hold a music-loving crowd is a potential space for bring together audiences with musicians for an evening of live music.
We recently learned that Arnett’s Gulfside Farm and Stables is kicking off its first 30A Summer Concert series. The kick off performance will be held on Thursday evening, June 15 and feature national country artist Kevin Post.
For those not
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Published on Tuesday, June 13, 2017
South Walton is well known for its beautiful beaches, but many travelers to our area are not aware of beautiful Eden Gardens State Park . Newman-Dailey Real Estate Agent Eva Pickens is an expert on South Walton and 30A real estate and recently highlighted this South Walton treasure. Here's what she shared :
Go back in time 100 years where this site was a hub for the Wesley Lumber Company, operating from 1890 until World War I, on the Tucker Bayou. In 1897, William Henry Wesley built an elegant white column wraparound porch antebellum style
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Published on Monday, May 8, 2017
Your Florida summer vacation to the beaches of South Walton and Destin, Florida is almost here! As you plan your Destin beach vacation, you'll want to plan to take advantage of the free sumer concerts on the green at Gulf Place on 30A . This beautiful lush green amphitheater at Gulf Place in Santa Rosa Beach is the ideal location to enjoy live music on Sunday evenings after a day at the beach. Kicking off on May 28, 2017, each week will feature a different local or regional band, ranging in genres. Performances will be appropriate
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Published on Friday, May 5, 2017
Today's blog is the first of a three part series that includes excerpts from Newman-Dailey Resort Properties Where you'd rather Be Magazine . Part I features the early days of wine consumption in Destin, dating back to 1971, and focuses on the impact South Walton wine festivals have had on our wine culture and appreciation for wine.
The History How did a once sleepy fishing village become one of the most recognized regions for wine consumption in the U.S.? The story begins with a charismatic man named Chan Cox.
Cox went to
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Published on Thursday, April 27, 2017
Fans of 30A know that during popular spring and summer weekends, the two-lane highway designed, which was designated a scenic byway by Florida Department of Transportation, can get busy. This is when those in-the-know slip away to less populated, off-the-beaten path locations to enjoy some of the world’s most beautiful beaches and time with family and friends. One of our favorite luxury resorts that is hidden oasis on 30A is Sanctuary at Redfish in Blue Mountain Beach. This luxury condominium resort is located on approximately 14
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Published on Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Newman-Dailey Destin Real Estate Agent Shannyn Stevenson “knows the Gulf Coast” and as a long-time resident and avid paddle boarder, she offers some great tips for stand-up paddle boarding in Destin.
Find a Beach Access with Flat Walk-On Access . Pompano Joe's is where I go but it can be tough to to carry the board up and down the stairs. It is a good workout! There are locations that offer flat walk on access, including the access behind Seascape next to the Whale’s Tale has a drive on /walk on ramp. Also on Scenic Highway
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Published on Monday, April 10, 2017
At the intersection of premier wine and culinary genius, you’ll find the 2017 South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival. This ultimate wine week, April 27-30, is where wine, charity and fun converge and the result is an incredible line up of celebrity winemakers and wineries as well as some of the best chefs in the South showcasing their culinary talents. If you can only attend one wine festival this year—this is it! In fact, USA Today has named it “One of the South’s Stand Out Food & Beverage Festivals.” South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival
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Published on Thursday, March 23, 2017
By now you probably know the Gulf Coast loves live music and welcoming talented musicians from around the globe is part of our heritage. In April, celebrating its 19th annual production, the Seabreeze Jazz Festival will be held April 19-23 at Pier Park in Panama City Beach. We’re thrilled to announce this year’s headliner is Kenny G! One of the most iconic and best-selling instrumental musicians of all time, Kenny G will perform some his greatest hits and most popular songs as well as music from his newest album, Brazilian nights. In addition to
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Published on Monday, February 27, 2017
With Mother’s Day nearing, it is time to start planning. What would mom want? From our experience, Moms just wanna have fun and a South Walton or Destin vacation is the place to give her a great time. Whether you whisk mom away from chores for a long-weekend with the family along our sandy shores or you present mom a gift certificate to gather at the beach with her best friends, she will be grateful.
In addition, Newman-Dailey is featuring a special promotion for Mother's Day featuring 10% off beach vacation rentals for stays of three nights
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Published on Tuesday, February 7, 2017
Thinking about a romantic getaway for Valentine’s Day? Consider staying along Scenic Highway 30A in a cozy Newman-Dailey vacation rental. What better way to say “I love you” than a romantic weekend at the beach? With miles of sugar white sand beaches to traverse and reconnect with the one you love, South Walton’s 30A also offers charming beachside towns to explore, sidewalk cafes and Gulf-front restaurants, such as Bud & Alley’s and the Vue on 30A . In addition, couples can enjoy romantic activities such as
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Published on Wednesday, January 4, 2017
We’re taking a break from holiday festivities to share the news that Seaside Neighborhood School has announced that the Seaside School Half Marathon and 5K Run will be held the weekend of March 3-5, 2017. The 15th Annual Seaside Race is sure to be a sell-out event so register early. The weekend of fast-paced fun kicks off Friday night, March 3 with the Taste of the Race. This delicious prelude to the weekend is presented by Chef Emeril Lagasse and Visit South Walton. Attendees will enjoy cuisine from some of the Gulf Coast’s top chefs
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Published on Thursday, December 1, 2016
Families around the country are preparing for Black Friday and the holiday shopping season. The challenge for many is what to buy for the family member that has it all. Research shows experiential gifts are what many family members want. According the National Retail Federation (NRF) 2015 holiday spending survey, about 37 percent would like to receive an experiential gift. In support of this 2016 gift giving trend, Newman-Dailey Resort Properties has introduced the Destin vacation rental gift certificate , which also includes special
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Published on Friday, November 18, 2016
It’s time to begin planning for the holidays and our guests and owners look to Newman-Dailey for recommendations on holiday events and happenings along the Emerald Coast. Therefore, we’ve compiled a list of the best Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year’s Eve events planned along the Emerald Coast for 2016: Holiday Parades We love a parade and the holidays are no exception. Starting on Dec. 10, the Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin welcomes Playground Music Center’s “A Tuba Christmas” with more than 30 brass instruments playing holiday classics
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Published on Monday, November 14, 2016
Thanksgiving at the beach is an unforgettable experience. Our well-appointed beach vacation rentals make the perfect home away from home to gather with family and friends for the holidays. Whether you decide to prepare your own Thanksgiving feast, have one delivered or eat out at one of the Emerald Coast’s award-winning restaurants, your family will be glad you decided to gather within a relaxing, coastal setting to give thanks and celebrate time with loved ones. (The best part is that when the celebration is complete, the Newman-Dailey housekeeping...
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Published on Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Florida’s Emerald Coast has a passion for wine. We’re current researching the reasons so we can tell this story in our next issue of W here you’d rather Be magazine. In the meantime, we'll be doing some field research. Next weekend, residents and visitors alike will flock to Hwy 30A to celebrate the 26th Annual Seeing Red Wine Festival , and while the Grand Tasting is sold out, there are plenty of ancillary events in which tickets are still available. The four days of festivities include reserve wine tastings, dinners, a brunch
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Published on Friday, October 28, 2016
Planning a trip to visit your beach home in Destin or South Walton for your annual homeowners association meeting? If so, Newman-Dailey Resort Properties would like to help you make the most of your time at the beach. We’ve compiled a fun list of things to do in Destin and things to do at your beach house while you’re here: Take a Break: Attend the 68th Annual Destin Fishing Rodeo. Destin’s Annual Fishing Rodeo dates back to 1948 and is held the entire month of October. Weigh-ins are held daily behind AJ’s Seafood and Oyster Bar from 10 am until
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Published on Monday, October 3, 2016
Who loves blue crabs? We do! We're excited to announce the first Annual 30A Blue Craab Festival will be held at Trebeache in Blue Mountain Beach, Oct. 8, 2016. One of our favorite local restaurants, Trebeache, is located in Redfish Village near many of our Blue Mountain Beach rentals, including Sanctuary at Redfish . The 30A Blue Crab Fest will feature local food, music & art, and celebrates the 30A lifestyle. This event will benefit the South Walton Artificial Reef Association (SWARA). SWARA is dedicated to deploying & monitoring publicly
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Published on Friday, September 30, 2016
We’ve been welcoming guests who are taking advantage of our Be Complete Beach Retreat . While the package includes shopping at Whole Foods and a complimentary yoga class, guests have asked for recommendations on other ways to relax and rejuvenate while visiting in Destin and South Walton. We recommend scheduling a service at Serenity by the sea. If you’ve experienced, Serenity by the sea you know what we’re talking about. This spa features many services, including facials, massages and body treatments as well as a salon with styling and nail stations
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Published on Monday, September 12, 2016
As we continue this week’s celebration of local craft beer and breweries, we were excited to learn about the 30A Craft Beer & Spirits Festival , coming to Gulf Place in Santa Rosa Beach Sept. 30 – Oct. 1, 2016. The festival is a collaborative effort between Chan’s Wine World and new Craft Bar in Grayton Beach on Hwy 30A. The two-day event kicks of Friday, Sept. 30 with the “Best Band on the Emerald Coast”, Heritage, performing live music from 6 to 9 p.m. The party continues on Saturday, Oct. 1 featuring old-school funk rhythms and classic rock riffs
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Published on Thursday, September 8, 2016
Many of our guests ask about local craft beers brewed in South Walton and we're always excited to share what's new and local. Grayton Beer Company recently announced that their beer currently packaged as 30A Beach Blonde Ale is now available in 12 oz. cans as Beach Permit Blonde Ale. Appropriately named, the new aluminum packaging allows the popular local brew to be iced down and taken to the beach where glass is prohibited. For those who are not familiar with Grayton Beer Company, it was launched by Jamey Price on Jan. 1, 2014.
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Published on Tuesday, September 6, 2016
We have many clients who enjoy staying on Hwy 30A, but due to the popularity of many of the 30A beach communities, these towns have become crowded. For those looking to getaway to a quiet oasis, Sanctuary at Redfish offers just that.
The serene haven features natural vegetation, winding footpaths, and overlooks Big Redfish Lake, a rare coastal dune lake. These quiet bodies of water can only be found a few places on the planet. Set on the east side of Big Redfish Lake along scenic highway 30A in Blue Mountain Beach, the 64-unit complex is unmatched
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Published on Wednesday, August 31, 2016
There are several reasons Destin is known as the "World's Luckiest Fishing Village." It is home to the largest and most elaborately equipped fishing fleet in the State of Florida. In addition, Destin offers the speediest deep-water access than any other Gulf coast community in Florida. And finally, there are a number of underwater structures that attract fish, resulting in higher volume and size of fish caught. While Destin is known for its large fishing fleet some charter services cater more to children and families
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Published on Tuesday, August 16, 2016
While many of our guests don’t want to see summer come to an end, the team at Newman-Dailey is looking forward to the fall. The autumn is one of the most spectacular seasons to be along Florida’s Emerald Coast. Cool coastal breezes, soft white sand beaches and beautiful emerald waters are complemented by spectacular sunsets and the flitter of Monarch Butterflies. As an added bonus, we’re introducing our Be Complete Beach Retreat package *. Available with stays of three nights or more from Sept. 5 through Oct. 31, 2016, the package combines
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Published on Friday, July 29, 2016
Looking for a fun activity for kids on your South Walton vacation? Check out the 2016 summer camps and workshops at Gulf Place, held now through August 8, 2016. Hosted by the Artists at Gulf Place and 30A Learning Academy, the interactive workshops and adventure camps keep kids engaged and active. Art Workshops . The Artists at Gulf Place will host an array of art workshops Monday through Friday in the Artist Colony beginning immediately. Workshops include Paint and Press T-Shirts with Jeffre Behm, Footprints in the Sand with Amanda Fagan, Starfish
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Published on Thursday, July 21, 2016
Each year, Dr. Stephen Leatherman (aka Dr. Beach) ranks the nation's best beaches using 50 criteria, including water and sand quality, and announces his coveted list of the top 10 beach in the nation each spring. The local community was excited to learn that Grayton Beach State Park was among the Top Ten Best Beaches in the United States for 2016. This is the second time Grayton Beach has earned this ranking (the first in 1994). Previously, beaches could only earn this title once, however, recent changes in the "Best Beaches&
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Published on Friday, June 24, 2016
South Walton is definitely where you’d rather be the last weekend of April if you love wine, culinary delights, spirits, exclusive trips and more. South Walton becomes the epicenter of the wine world, as the South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival and Destin Charity Wine Auction bring together a dazzling roster of more than a dozen celebrity winemakers, brew masters, distillers, chefs and entertainers. These celebrity guests come together in Miramar Beach, Fla. to wine, dine, educate, and entertain all for a great cause. The four-day celebration
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Published on Thursday, April 14, 2016
Spring has arrived and the Redfish are biting. In fact, catching Redfish is popular pastime along the beaches of South Walton. Redfish often move into estuaries and South Walton’s coastal dune lakes as juveniles where they live for several years and then return to the Gulf of Mexico. And while Redfish are common in coastal waters around the state, they are revered along Highway 30A where they have two coastal dune lakes named in their honor –Big Redfish Lake and Little Redfish Lake. Travelers looking for vacation rentals with
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Published on Wednesday, March 23, 2016
n conjunction with Newman-Dailey Resort Properties 30th Anniversary Event, we hosted a special fundraising event at Sanctuary at Redfish on 30A to benefit the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance. “We know this property is very special and important to the coastal ecology of the region,” said Captain Bob Sellers, who runs the pontoon boat at Sanctuary at Redfish. “Therefore, we do everything we can to protect and maintain our natural surroundings. This fundraising event was another extension of our efforts to help protect, preserve and provide education...
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Published on Thursday, October 29, 2015
It’s Window Wednesday and we’re excited to feature our newest South Walton vacation rental at Sanctuary at Redfish in Blue Mountain Beach. Located off Scenic Hwy 30A, this luxury condominium resort is nestled on approximately 14 acres overlooking Big Redfish Lake, one of South Walton’s rare coastal dune lakes. Three separate pools, two Jacuzzis, a large fire pit, two outside grills, and private pool cabanas provide ample area to gather with friends and family. Guests can head down to the lake to kayak or take a scenic five-minute pontoon ride
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Published on Wednesday, August 5, 2015
One of the reasons South Walton's Scenic Highway 30A is so special is that it is home to 15 rare coastal dune lakes. Lakes such as these are only found in a few other places around the world, including remote parts of Africa and Australia. Like the Florida Everglades, Florida’s Coastal Dune Lakes need protection and conservation. In support of this need, Newman-Dailey recently hosted a fundraiser for two local non-profits, which provide preservation and advocacy efforts to protect these rare coastal gems. We’re pleased to report we were
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Published on Monday, June 8, 2015