Highlights of the Emerald Coast - Fort Walton Beach

Unfolding along Florida's panhandle is a beautiful region called the Emerald Coast. Its name comes from the sparkling green waters of the Gulf of Mexico that abut its sandy shores. The Emerald Coast begins in Pensacola to the west, and stretches 100 miles east to Panama City. Midway between them lies the real heart of the Emerald Coast: the sister cities of Destin and Fort Walton Beach. Flanking the outlet where the wide, beautiful Choctawhatchee Bay flows into the Gulf, these cities provide a prime vacation destination. Although Destin is fast becoming quite popular and upscale, if you enjoy a more down-to-earth atmosphere, you should check out Fort Walton Beach. If you're looking for a remarkable beach vacation in a town with a laid-back attitude, you'll enjoy your time here, and you'll never run out of things to do. Start your planning with the fine Fort Walton Beach vacation rentals.

The main attraction near Fort Walton Beach hotels is the spectacular shoreline. The beaches here are clean, soft, and white. They've been named the "safest in the country," as well as making "most beautiful beaches" lists. They're so addicting that you may find yourself simply unwinding each day with the sun on your face and your toes in sand, enjoying a light breeze and the sound of waves rolling in to shore. Maybe you'll rouse yourself to do some shelling or build a sand castle. The length of the shoreline near your Fort Walton Beach vacation rental is lined with coastal dunes. Ranging up to 50 feet high, these the dunes are particularly susceptible to human encroachment. Thus, more than 60 percent of them are protected by law, so you can stroll along them in their pristine, natural state right in front of your cozy inn.

The warm emerald waters of the Gulf may invite you in. With so much water all around your hotel, you'll find plenty of water recreation to enjoy. Although this area of the Gulf of Mexico is too far north for coral reefs, there are numerous artificial reefs and shipwrecks, even airplanes, to explore, so scuba diving or snorkeling in the clear water is a delight. You may be joined by manta rays, dolphins, or large loggerhead sea turtles. If you prefer to remain on top of the water, you can still view the sea life in a glass-bottom boat tour. Perhaps you'll spend a day away from your Fort Walton Beach lodging on a deep sea fishing cruise.

Freshwater fishing is abundant here, as well, with some bayous and various area rivers providing many choices. The Blackwater River is popular for canoeing, tubing or kayaking. You'll find beautiful areas on land as well. You might visit nearby Eden State Gardens, a hundred-year-old estate overlooking Choctawhatchee Bay. The moss-draped oak trees and picturesque gardens of azaleas and camellias transport to an earlier time. There's even sightseeing underground. You can head to Marianna from your Fort Walton Beach vacation rental to tour the Florida Caverns, the only limestone caverns in the state.

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Florida Beach Hotels at Panama City !

In the north-east area we have the Panama City Beach, which has conventionally been a vacation destination for millions but was not able to patronize the more classy vacation destinations in other parts of Florida. It is known for old-fashioned family vacations, with colorful amusement parks and arcades, miniature golf links, souvenir shops and a beautiful beach. Although the endless strips of bars, amusement parks and traditional motels still remain; this exciting and active destination now offers luxury resorts and condominium lodging, hotels and a variety of inns and vacation rentals along its sand beach. Great beaches, fishing, boating, wreck diving and golf has made Panama City Beach an all the more popular vacation destination for families from all over the globe.

This town is a seasonal resort with many restaurants and attractions closing between October and March when the annual spring break festivities set in motion and hordes of students begin to arrive. Getting there is not very difficult; you can go by Delta, US Airways that fly into Bay Country International Airport located near the Panama City. A trolley service also runs five times a day servicing the beach area. Some of its tourist attractions include Gulf World Marine Park, popular for its dolphin show and Sea Dragon.

The uninhabited nature preserve of Shell Island, which is a narrow island accessible only by a boat, is a popular spot for visitors to enjoy the beach. There is fishing in abundance, ranging from charter boats to shared party boats. The waters off Panama City have more than 50 artificial reefs and shipwrecks that are a famous spot for diving and snorkeling. As with all the famous destinations in Florida, there is no shortage of golf courses. The warm Gulf waters in its sheltered harbor offer an ideal playground for various water activities including jet skiing, boating, snorkeling, windsurfing, swimming, parasailing, fishing and canoeing.

Scores of natural and artificial reefs provide some of the best diving spots in the country. There are ample activities for land lovers as well: participate in some beach volleyball or tennis on one of the various courts, go shopping, visit a museum or zoo, have fun at one of the amusement parks or enjoy one of the annual events in town. One of the biggest nightclubs in the world is located here. Later relax yourself with a stroll along the beach or on one of the many piers that protrudes out into the gorgeous sea. It would not be wrong to say that there is something for everybody in this year-round vacation destination spot.

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Daytona Beach Resorts !

Daytona Beach is a Florida getaway that does not put on airs and graces. It is a place where you can relax and enjoy yourself at your own speed. It is also a place where you can enjoy the finest beaches, world-class sports attractions, excellent museums, and first-class restaurants.

The beach itself is world famous. As soon as you put on your swimsuit and step on the white sand, you will be in a different world. Everything seems so calm.

The beach is super wide, so wide and flat that cars and trucks ride on it. Many years ago cars actually raced on it. The ocean is unbelievably calm and very shallow when you go in and so you do not have to fight the waves.

There are 23 miles of beautiful beaches in the Daytona Beach area. As you look down the beach in either direction, it appears that all of the waves are breaking in unison.  This symmetry is intriguing. The waves breaking slowly over and over create a calming, relaxing effect. However, for those who to like to surf there are beaches where the waves are high and strong.

There is also a boardwalk on the beach with some exciting rides.  You could spend everyday of your vacation on the beach and many visitors do.  However, there is so much more to do and see in Daytona Beach.

The Daytona International Speedway is a must see on your visit to Daytona Beach. The Daytona 500 race is the most watched motor sports event in the world when attendance at the track and television viewing are combined. Estimated attendance for the Daytona 500 is 200,000 and more than 29 million watch it on television.

There are tours of the Speedway, but that is only a small part of it.  Located at the Speedway is DAYTONA USA. This is an interactive motor sports themed attraction.  This is an interesting and exciting entertainment experience for hard core race fans and also for casual observers.  It offers lots of fun for the whole family.  In addition to the thrilling interactive features, there are historical exhibits such as the Goodyear Heritage of Daytona history walk.

A good place to start your visit to DAYTONA USA is by taking a 30 minute guided tour of the Speedway.  The tour takes guests on an open-air tram through the Speedway's garage area.  The tour is narrated and you see Pit Road, Victory Lane and the world-famous 31 degree high banks where cars race at over 200 miles per hour.

There are two new motion simulator rides at DAYTONA USA. These are "Daytona Dream Laps" and "Acceleration Alley".  "Daytona Dream Laps" is a ride that seats 32 guests for a full range motion experience racing at the high banks of the Speedway.  On the "Acceleration Alley" ride you hop inside a racecar, buckle up and take a simulated ride at high speeds that combines motion, video, and sound. Other activities include going over the wall at Ford's 16 second pit stop challenge to test your skills in a live pit stop.

One of the most popular attractions is the Daytona 500 movie, a large-screen format film presented on a screen 55 feet wide and almost three stories tall in the Pepsi Theatre. You see the movie in the realism of 3D, and with the accompanying sounds you feel as though you are behind the wheel of one of the racing cars.

Tickets for DAYTONA USA including the Speedway tour are around $20 for adults, $17 for seniors and $14 for children 6-12.

If you want the real thing, for an additional charge of about $130 you can first don a racing outfit including helmet.  Then climb through the window of a racing car on the Speedway track, strap yourself in, and ride next to a race driver at high speeds around the track.   Whether or not you are a baseball fan, the Jackie Robinson Ballpark is an interesting place to visit in Daytona Beach.  This is where baseball legend Jackie Robinson played in the first integrated baseball game.  The ballpark was built in 1908, seats 3800 fans, and is the Class A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs.

It is also a museum with plaques and photos documenting the life of Jackie Robinson. It explains Robinson's childhood, how he excelled in many sports in college, and the humiliating experiences he faced as the man who broke the colour barrier in major league baseball.  It also lists many of his accomplishments such as playing in six world series and being voted MVP in 1949 in the National League.  But the one that tells it all, was that after Robinson's retirement from baseball, his "number 42" was also retired by every major league baseball team.  It's a real pleasure to visit this historical ballpark and watch the Daytona Beach Cubs play. Tickets are only $5.

Another fun way to see Daytona Beach is by an amphibious adventure on a trolleyboat.  It leaves daily from the Ocean Walk Shoppes and takes you on a drive through historic Daytona Beach.  It then enters the Halifax River where you are given a narrated tour of the history and wildlife of the area with great views of the riverfront mansions.  The trolleyboat then leaves the river and drives you back to the Ocean Walk Shoppes.

At the Ocean Walk Shoppes there is lots to do.  There is a new Bandshell featuring concerts with an ocean view and a beachside theatre showing ten movies.  There is also a delightful Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Restaurant for some casual fun, good food, based on the Forrest Gump movie with plenty of Forrest's favorite fixins.   A visit to the Museum of Arts and Sciences is a wonderful way to spend some relaxing and interesting hours in Daytona Beach.  All six permanent collections are excellent.   The Centre for Florida History collection tells the story of Florida's historical and cultural development from prehistory to the present complete with interactive features.  It centres around a 13 foot tall skeleton of a Giant Ground Sloth which was excavated in 1975 in a fossil site called the Daytona Bone Bed.  This huge vegetarian could have weighed three to five tons and eaten a daily ration of 300 pounds of plants abundant in the area.

The Cuban Museum collection is the largest Cuban Museum in the world outside of Cuba.  It contains rare 18th, 19th, and early 20th century maps, documents, lithographs, paintings, furniture, sculpture, and ceramics arranged chronologically.  Rare photographs help establish a sense of time and place.   The Root family's collection is not only interesting, but it also brings back a lot of memories.  This is an astounding display of more than 800 Teddy Bears, ranging from seven feet tall to only a few inches in height.  Each Teddy Bear represents a different time period or theme, and portrays everyday scenes such as a "Teddy Bear Wedding", complete with bridesmaids, grooms, and a minister.

The Root family has also amassed one of the most historically important anthologies of the American soft drink, Coca-Cola, on which their family fortune was founded. The collection includes just about every conceivable item relating to bottling, advertising, and consumption of Coca-Cola. The Root's collection also includes an impressive array of decorative arts, china, silverware, and glasses collected from 85 of the nation's railroads, hotels, and restaurants.  Two actual railroad cars are also displayed in this permanent collection.

There are still lots of other fun things to do in Daytona Beach. You can spend an hour or two at the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse, and climb to the top if you wish.  It is the tallest lighthouse in Florida.   Not far from the lighthouse is the Inlet Harbor Marina and Restaurant.  The seafood is fabulous. There is a lot of freshly caught fish on the menu.  It is a nice place for lunch or dinner (they have sunset specials if seated by 6 p.m.) with a lovely waterfront view.  You can dine inside or on the riverfront outdoor deck.  It is casual dining.  A live band playing on the outdoor deck added to the festive Caribbean like setting.

Greyhound racing is also another exciting attraction in the area. They race at the Daytona Beach Kennel Club. Children are welcome with a parent or guardian.

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The Best Beach Hotels in Florida !

Florida has many gorgeous places, and there is no doubt: Redondo Beach is one of the best beaches around. Here you can have a great day at the beach, and then have a nice walk to the Redondo Beach Pier, where you will find many local restaurants with delightful cuisine. After you have had your supper, you can go shopping at local shops, or you can go fishing. The beach pier is open 24 hours a day, so it is not a problem if you want to watch the sunrise, and then go surfing in the morning.

As for lodging, there is something for everyone at Redondo Beach: there are luxury resorts and charming, small motels and inns. But you can be sure you will stay up in the evening: this is because Brixton South Bay comes alive after sunset. You will be able to hear the best live music in town, and with some luck, you will be able to catch some really famous rock band. The restaurants and bars are open all night, so if you get hungry or thirsty, you can refresh yourself.

The Crown Plaza and Marina Hotel is one of the most famous hotels in Redondo Beach. The hotel can be found on the pacific coast, near King Harbor and the beautiful Redondo Municipal Pier. This hotel captures the spirit of Redondo Beach to perfection, and you can have gorgeous views from the hotel room. There is a great sandy beach just outside the hotel, and this is where you will be able to catch a bus or boat to Los Angeles, Catilina Island and the beach communities of El Segundo, Torrance, Hermosa Beach and Gardena.

Another great place to stay is the Portofino Hotel & Yacht Club. This hotel has luxurious waterfront accommodations, viewing King Harbor, with breathtaking scenes from sunsets, sailboats to dolphins and pelicans. The hotel was completely restored and refurbished not long ago, so you will be able to wonder at the new, ocean-inspired theme for the lobby, and upgraded guest rooms and baths.

For those who are looking for a cheaper place to stay, Best Western Redondo Beach Inn can be a great opportunity. The inn is only 9 miles south from Los Angeles International Airport and the beach is also within walking distance. Because of its great location, the Best Western Redondo Beach Inn is hugely popular among business and leisure travelers.

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Gulf of Mexico Beach

Vacationing in the Gulf of Mexico offers many activities, amenities and choices of accommodations as well as destinations. One of the most popular destination choices in the Gulf is Sanibel Island in Florida. With the many condominiums available on the island, you can literally stay within just a few steps of the beautiful beaches and clear, crystal waters of the Gulf. Finding a Gulf of Mexico beach accommodation in Sanibel is as simple as going online and booking your room.

Whether you are planning a family vacation or an intimate getaway, you will find that the choices for accommodations on Sanibel Island are virtually endless. From one bedroom apartments to fully stocked condos, there are many places to stay and many places to see once you arrive.

Restaurants in the area offer a full selection of cuisine from the traditional seafood to steaks. Grocery stores are also located easily where you can shop and cook your own food, allowing more money in your budget to engage in a variety of the offered activities. If you love shelling, then Sanibel Island is the perfect choice. There are a wide variety of seashells located on the island, which have led to its world renowned reputation for shelling.

Biking, boating, fishing and a wide choice of other activities are also available. Of course you could spend your time completely on the Gulf of Mexico beach, lazing in the beautiful sunshine and taking in all the beautiful scenery around you. Whatever your taste with regards to daily activities, you are sure to find something to please your every whim on Sanibel Island.

Sanibel and Captiva are barrier islands that are connected to the Florida mainland by a causeway that reaches from Fort Myers to San Carlos Bay. This lovely three mile long causeway offers a wonderful chance to take in all the beauty that surrounds the area.

Once you have settled in your condominium, hotel room or apartment, be sure to head straight to the beach. The beautiful beaches in this area offer clean sand and crystal clear waters that are simply hard to find anywhere else on earth.

If you are dreaming of a tropical vacation, then a Gulf of Mexico beach vacation is the perfect choice. From the many amenities to the wonderful wildlife found in the area, Sanibel Beach provides you with a wonderful destination filled with good food, exciting activities and some of the most beautiful natural scenery in the world.

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Florida Hotels on Beach !

Florida is one of the largest states in the US. It is situated in the southeast corner of the country, bordering the Atlantic Ocean. This state is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, and so hospitality is one of its major revenue generators. Florida hotels range from the economical ones to elegant five-star hotels.

Florida is home to not only many beaches and parks, but also to the globally famous Disney World and Universal Studios in Orlando. Thus, this city has a lot to offer to people of all age groups. One visiting Florida should be ready to spend a lot of time there, and therefore opt for the cheaper hotels, as one is expected to spend most of the time outdoors, returning to the hotel only to sleep.

The wide range of Florida hotels have various tourist packages to offer. They have coupon booklets, whereby one can get discounts when visiting places like Disney World, water parks and beaches. Apart from that, some of the hotels also offer complete tour packages, whereby one can avail of discounts at hotels belonging to a particular chain.

It is almost next to impossible to get a complete feel of Florida in a short trip. Ideally, one should spend at least three weeks to see most of Florida, if not all of it. But in order to get the best experience, the Florida hotels offer tour packages, taking one to the popular tourist destinations the includes the best of beaches, parks, Disney World and Universal Studios, as well as certain heritage places and small cities that preserve Florida's cultural history.

The local travel agents usually do bookings at Florida hotels. These agents also ensure that you get the best tour packages within your budget. No matter what the grade of hotel, each one is well maintained, providing a visitor with the best staying experience.

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Best Beaches in Florida - Clearwater Beach Hotels

Long considered one of the Best Beaches, Florida's Clearwater Beach is perhaps the busiest on the gulf coast. It is 3 miles long and broad, and you can walk from one end to the other. Its soft, powdery white quartz sand attracts locals, tourists and its fair share of spring breakers. Watersports like jet skiing, parasailing and water biking are popular. Clearwater Beach has something for everyone. Dinner cruises and Pirate Cruises are a fun diversion and if you must bring your laptop, there's free Wi-Fi access.

Two favorite Clearwater Beach restaurants are Bob Heilman's Beachcomber and Bobby's Bistro & Wine Bar located next door to one another on Mandalay Avenue in North Clearwater Beach. The Beachcomber is a Clearwater Beach tradition since 1948. A free bottle of wine with dinner for two from their world class wine cellar is yours with a certificate from The Florida Beach Book.

A favorite Clearwater Beach hotel is the Sandpearl Resort. There are plenty of affordable Clearwater Beach motels, inns and condos to choose from as well. The southern end of Clearwater Bch is chock full of hotels, restaurants and resorts. There's nightlife, shopping and plenty to do. Pier 60 is an event in and of itself! Every night at Sunset join the party (modeled after Key West's sunset event) with entertainers, artists and craftspeople.

Clearwater Beach is located in Pinellas County which is home to Clearwater, the county seat, St. Petersburg & Tarpon Springs. The county is located on a narrow 280 square mile peninsula with the Gulf on one side and Tampa Bay on the other. It is one of three counties that make up "Greater Tampa Bay."

Pinellas County offers 35 miles of white-sand bchs on 20 barrier islands. 1 or 2 of them frequently wind up on noteworthy Best Beach Lists!

Want to check out the area but tired of walking? Just hop on the trolley and it will take you there! From north to south and all the stops in between, from Clearwater Bch to Pass-A-Grille in St. Pete Bch, the trolley stops at every beach and town in between.

Here are some specifics on Clearwater Beach from The Florida Beach Book, along with a few others in the county:

Clearwater Beach

Location: west on U.S. 60. The municipal bch is located on the southern half of Clearwater Bch between the Clearwater Pass jetty to the south and Avalon Ave. to the north.

Hours: 24 hours

Parking: metered lots/streets, $.75-$2.00/hour

Amenities: 3 miles of white sand, concessions, showers, restrooms, cabana, umbrella and watercraft rentals, volleyball courts, showers, playground, Pier 60 fishing pier, picnic shelters, grills

Activities: swimming, volleyball, fishing, sunbathing, walking, shelling, surfing

Pets: no

Of Special Interest: Pier 60 is open 24 hours and is located ½ mile north of Clearwater Pass."Sunsets at Pier 60" are every evening, starting two hours before sunset. Modeled after Mallory Square in Key West, you can join local artists, craftspeople and performers at this famous landmark. Pier 60 has restaurants, shopping and concessions on and around it as well as bait and tackle shop and rod rentals.

Beach Walk is a winding beachside promenade with lush landscaping, artistic touches and clear views to Clearwater's award-winning bch and the water beyond, a place where bicyclists, rollerbladers and pedestrians all have safe and convenient access and where visitors and locals can socialize, dine, play games, or simply enjoy the spectacular sun and surf.

Fort De Soto Park

Location: 3500 Pinellas Bayway S., Tierra Verde

Hours: sunrise to sunset

Parking: free

Amenities: this park consists of 1,136 acres made up of five interconnected islands. It has over 7 miles of waterfront, including almost three miles of the finest white sand bch in the United States, an 800-foot-long boat launching facility with eleven floating docks and a 238-site family camping area with facilities including picnic tables, grills, water, electricity, washers, dryers, sanitary disposal stations, modern restrooms, showers, play areas, and a camp store. Two large swim centers including a food concession area located at the North Bch Swim Center. It has two fishing piers with food and bait concessions. Restrooms, picnic shelters, snack bar, recreation trail, nature trails, canoe trail and a dog park complete the picture!

Activities: swimming, fishing, boating, camping, hiking, walking, biking, in-line skating

Pets: yes, in designated areas

Of Special Interest: Fort De Soto Park was named America's Top Bch for the second consecutive year (2009) by TripAdvisor. Citing a "spectacular combination of soft white sand, calm, clear water and a laid-back atmosphere," the popular online travel network put the park's North Beach at the top of its annual best-of list. In 2005 Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, a.k.a. "Dr. Beach," named Fort De Soto the nation's #1 Bch.

Pass-a-Grille Beach

Location: 1000 Pass-a-Grille Way, Pass-a-Grille

Parking: metered $1-$1.25/hour

Amenities: 1 mile long, concessions, playground, picnic areas, restrooms and showers. Handicapped accessible & handicapped wheechairs 

Activities: swimming, fishing, walking, sunbathing

Pets: no

Of Special Interest: Relax and take in beautiful sunsets, and discover the historic charm of this Old Florida fishing community. You won't find any high rise hotels, just a wide open bch. Located on the southern tip of Long Key, Pass-A-Grille features restaurants, small inns and eclectic shops. Historic 8th Avenue contains the oldest dwellings on the Pinellas bchs, and one of the largest Historic Districts on the Gulf Coast.

Treasure Island Park

Location: 10400 Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island

Hours: sunrise to sunset

Parking: metered $1-$1.25/hour

Amenities: 2 miles long, concessions, handicapped accessibility & handicapped wheelchairs, picnic areas, restrooms, showers, volleyball courts

Activities: swimming, fishing, sunbathing, jet skiing, volleyball, surfing, sunset watching

Pets: no

Of Special Interest: On a two mile stretch of this large bch, visitors can fly kites, rent jet skis, or play on one of the dozens of volleyball courts. Accommodations of all sizes and price ranges dot the bch, and nearby bistros provide a great place to recharge. Treasure Island's wide bch and family friendly accommodations have made it a prime vacation destination for multiple generations.

Treasure Island Beach (Access)

Location: 100th Avenue & Gulf Blvd.

Hours:sunrise to sunset

Parking: metered $1-$1.25/hour

Amenities: restrooms and showers, biking/jogging path

Activities: swimming, sunbathing, biking, jogging, walking, surfing

Pets: no

John's Pass Beach and Park

Location: Gulf Blvd. @129th St., Madeira Beach

Hours: 6 AM to midnight

Parking: metered, $1/hour

Amenities: 500 feet of beachfront, restrooms, showers, picnic tables, jetty, handicapped access

Activities: swimming, fishing, sunbathing

Pets: No

Of Special Interest: on Sand Key, which is 14 miles long and extends from John's Pass to Clearwater Pass.

Kitty Stuart Park

Location: Gulf Blvd. @ 140th-141st Avenues, Madeira Beach

Parking: limited metered, $1/hour

Amenities: shower, picnic table

Activities: swimming, fishing, sunbathing

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