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Florida's Emerald Coast is a dazzling part of the Sunshine State's upper Gulf Shoreline (i.e. the Southern portion of the Panhandle region). This roughly 100-mile section takes its name from the expressive waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and spans five counties (though its borders are not strictly defined), including Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, and Bay. Sprinkled along the way are cute small towns that are cut-and-paste creations of sugary sands, sparkling waters and wild, pensive vegetation. And while they provide the aesthetic and climate foundation that everybody wants, each spot has its own special geographical features and social persuasion. 

Alys Beach

Let's begin with a bit of tasteful opulence in the unincorporated planned community of Alys Beach. This 158-acre Walton County standout is filled with stark white buildings and immaculately groomed beaches. The shopping, cocktail, and culinary scenes are unanimous crowd pleasers. There are also rotating digital graffiti displays to punch up the aesthetic, and movies/concerts at the amphitheater in the center of town to keep everyone entertained come the evening. And finally, there is a 20-acre nature preserve with an elevated wooden boardwalk cutting through it – a perfect place to kick the morning off with a quiet walk or relaxing bike ride. And for a little more time in a rugged outdoor setting, the coastal dune lake and additional trails of Camp Helen State Park is just a leisurely Eastward walk along the intermediate beaches. 

Seaside

A short, sandy, Westward walk from Alys beach brings us to another fine, unincorporated planned community known as Seaside. This place is the culmination of a dream to create "the º£½ÇÉçÇø's first New Urbanist town" along 80 acres of pristine coastline. You might recognize the pleasant, too-good-to-be-true layout as the setting for the late-90s Jim Carrey drama, The Truman Show. The 300 homes are accented by a smattering of restaurants, nice shops, and cool galleries. When heading towards the water, a lighthouse/pyramid-hybrid marks the main beach boardwalk – with an arch that visually frames the flat, paradisiacal beaches of the Panhandle/Gulf of Mexico. This section, in particular, has garnered lots of favorable attention – named the "Best Beach of Earth" and making the Top 10 Best Beach Towns in Florida but Travel + Leisure and USA Today, respectively.  

Pensacola

Nicknamed the "City of Five Flags," Pensacola, the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle/Emerald Coast, has been ruled by a handful of nations (i.e. Britain, Spain, France, the Confederacy, and, of course the United States) throughout its nearly 500 years of captivating history. Situated at the convergence of Pensacola Bay (to the South) and Escambia Bay (to the East), Pensacola is home to scintillating sands and a cache of outdoor recreation. Fishing, paddling, swimming, and dolphin-watching cruises are the preferred water activities, while the rolling hills, bayous, curious lagoons, and corresponding trails beckon hikers and bird watchers – especially to the Naval Like Oaks Nature Preserve and the unspoiled Gulf Islands National Seashore. 

Apalachicola

While Apalachicola might sit just a tad East of the classic Emerald Coast, joining instead the likes of the Forgotten Coast, it is well-worth visiting if you are in the area. After all, the Emerald Coast is an informal distinction anyway, so it's open to beneficial interpretations. This quaint fishing village harkens to those of Cape Cod, or the Canadian Maritimes, while maintaining the year-round summer temperatures of the Deep South. Seafood is the obvious indulgence that pairs expectedly-well with the aesthetic. And the dignified historical buildings contrast the weathered shrimp boats to further round-out the enchanting setting. Getting to the best beaches requires a bit more effort in these parts, but they are well-worth the boat ride across Apalachicola Bay, or the drive across to St. George Island (our next stop) to Cape St. George Island State Reserve. After all, getting out on the water is all part of the charm. 

St. George Island

Joined to the mainland's Eastpoint by the Bryant Patton Memorial Bridge, St. George Island is a cozy, walkable, and socially-cocooned community on the long, thin, 28-mile-long island by the same name. The spacious, pet-friendly beaches are, of course, the main draw, with Favier Beach being the closest local favorite. There's a dedication to preserving the raw feel of this place, but also a palpable playfulness. The zoning laws prevent high-rises and corporate chains from invading, but at the same time, the collection of brightly-colored townhouses flirts with the crisp blue skies by day, and pastel sunsets come evening (before the stargazing kicks in). 

Mexico Beach

Mexico Beach has a delightful laxity to it. Technically a small Bay County city, Mexico Beach has the population and the feel of a dyed-in-the-wool coastal community. The residents are known to be friendly and low-maintenance. Of course, how could any fuss ever be made with breezy beaches in view of intermittently frolicking dolphins? The titular stretch of sand seems to go forever, but is eventually met by the equally-alluring St. Joe Beach (to the Southeast) and Crooked Island Beach, to the Northwest. Though it was rocked by Hurricane Michael in 2019, Mexico Beach's open-minded spirit and love for this patch of land has led to a swift and resilient rebound. 

Grayton Beach

Roughly equidistant from Destin and Panama City, the historic village of Grayton Beach is another must-see in Florida's Northwest. This wide-open landscape is metaphorically sheltered from any modern mayhem. The white quartz sands are bordered by the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the rare coastal dune lakes (which are dark and brackish, but quite clean) of Grayton Beach State Park. Speaking of which, this neighboring 400-acre state park is filled with secluded shoreline spots, and a variety of nature trails that meander the soothing coastal forests. In town, there are a mix of traditional and hip establishments, including breweries, surf shops, and cafes. 

Navarre

The unincorporated community of Navarre is yet another slender and magnetic Emerald Coast entry. This twelve-mile coastline snuggles in between the Gulf Islands National Seashore (to the West) and the Navarre Beach Marine Park (to the slight Southeast) and is punctuated by the massive, transfixing Navarre Beach Pier, that extends boldly into the Gulf and is great for both fishing and picture-taking. The Navarre Causeway brings residents out to the beachfront, and thru-hikers of the Florida National Scenic Trail to the mainland for the first time since its Northwest trailhead. Divers and snorkelers will get to enjoy Navarre's marine sanctuary, and its three near-shore artificial reefs. Otherwise, just bring a good book and enjoy the carefree afternoons in this sleepy beach town. 

Miramar Beach

Ending the party close to Destin (but still far enough from it to appreciate the quiet life, free from ceaseless traffic), is Miramar Beach. This nostalgic beach town has the scenic roads and laid-back surf culture of everyone's youthful or mid-life-crisis fantasies. This town mixes several of coastal Florida's quintessential features: jet skis over tropical waters, condo-lined beaches, wispy dune grasses, quality golf courses, and some Saturday shopping spree outlet stores; plus unique and charming additions like the Village of Baytowne Wharf. Miramar Beach is pinned between Henderson Beach State Park (to the West) and Topsail Hill Preserve State Park (to the East), as well as Choctawhatchee Bay (to the North) and the Gulf of Mexico (to the South). Not a bad setting at all for a week's vacation. 

Florida's Emerald Coast is truly a gem. It exposes a side of Florida that counters the rambunctious Spring Break connotations. The beachlife still cannot be beat, and the salty breeze off of the Gulf of Mexico combined with the relative solitude of this region will immediately drop stress levels to a mere hum. There are a wealth of cute spots to settle down along this 100-or-so-mile-stretch, but these nine small towns should rank right up there on anyone's list. Check out the brightest part of the Sunshine State's Panhandle this summer, or maybe duck away this upcoming winter for some much-deserved vacation.