By Angela Wibking
The Florida Panhandle, that narrow strip of the Sunshine State bordered by Alabama, Georgia, and the Gulf of Mexico, boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. The sand here is sugar-white, and the waters shimmer in shades of blue and green, rivaling the Caribbean. The surf is gentle, and there’s no abrupt drop-off, so you can wade far out into the warm gulf waters searching for sand dollars. Fragrant pine forests, bays and lakes teeming with fish, and lazy, sand-bottomed rivers fringe the shore.
One of the most beautiful parts of the Panhandle is an area called the Beaches of South Walton. Located in Walton County, the beaches lie along Scenic 30-A, a two-lane road lined with cottages, locally owned eateries, shops, and art galleries. You won’t find a chain motel or fast food restaurant anywhere along the road and no water slides, miniature golf courses, or souvenir emporiums either.
