Emerald Coast Communities and 30A

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The sand in Destin is so spectacular that you don’t even have to go there to experience it — it’s been dredged up to whiten beaches all over the Gulf Coast. And while the sand is the star, Destin is the full package when it comes to beach town life. It’s not organically quaint or over-engineered like some resorts; rather, it’s just a great big celebration of what it means to enjoy Florida in the sun. It has all the conveniences of any medium-sized American city but adds a layer of pastel-colored fun to entice tourists from sunup until nearly sunup the following day. Destin is surprisingly family-friendly for residents as well as tourists — and we’re not talking only about mini golf and waterslides. There’s a lot more to the natural environment than just the blue skies and legendary sand if you know where to look, and when the tourists leave, Destin really sparkles. Locals still call it a “fishing village,” and with good reason. 

Gabriel Schwartz Realtor Destin

Miramar Beach is a beach town in its purest form, and its five square miles have been a popular destination for decades. That’s made it rich in shopping and dining options, as well as just about every other convenience you’d need. Because it has the Gulf to the south and Choctawhatchee Bay to the north, there’s not a lot of room to grow, and that translates into a vibrant urban feel. Those bodies of water, of course, are big attractions for day-trippers, as are the outlet malls, the big beach hotels, and the endless surf shops. But there’s also a strong community that calls Miramar Beach home, and the locals know all the secrets of getting out into the wilderness in nearby state forests, preserves, and parks. You’ll find a big variety of condos along the shore and single-family homes on tree-lined cul-de-sacs, as well as some incredible mansion-sized beach houses. 

Gabriel Schwartz Realtor Miramar Beach

Sandestin Golf and Beach resort encompasses over 2,400 acres with four golf courses, world class tennis and pickle ball center, walking/biking paths, and the world-famous beach. The Village of Baytowne Wharf has everything you need from a general market/convenience store to shops, restaurants and exciting night life. You will never have to leave the property, no need for a rental car. 

Gabriel Schwartz Realtor Sandestin

In general, relaxation isn’t something you can plan — but that’s not true of a community specifically designed for relaxation. Because Rosemary Beach has everything you need, you don’t need to worry about anything. The homes here are large and architecturally interesting, and the whole community is luxuriously laid-back in every detail, with everything connected by walkways and boardwalks perfect for walking or biking on a fat-tired beach cruiser. There’s a park — the Long Green — which hosts markets, concerts, and festivals, and a town center full of restaurants and one-of-a-kind boutiques. There are tennis courts and swimming pools, park benches and shade trees — and we haven’t even gotten to the “beach” part of town. The beaches on this part of the Gulf are sugar-soft, and Rosemary Beach also has easy access to the inland wilds of 800-acre Powell Lake, making this a dream for kayaking, paddleboarding, bird-watching, and fishing for both saltwater and freshwater species — often on the same trip. 

Gabriel Schwartz Realtor Rosemary Beach 30A

If Seaside looks like the ideal town, it’s no accident. The village is the textbook example of the New Urbanism movement (really, just look in an architecture textbook), marrying the walkability of urban cities with the lush greens of the suburbs, and mixing beautiful residential opportunities with professional, hospitality, and retail locations. In other words, it’s people-first and prettily perfect. While the structures are the star here — the community is chockablock with iconic facades from the world’s great architects — it’s the walk-to convenience of wonderful amenities, festivals, and open spaces that residents celebrate most. There’s a Airstream Row, a stretch of trailers re-purposed to serve delicious snacks and desserts, plus art galleries, one-of-a-kind boutiques, and a host of great restaurants. Oh, and there’s the beach, too, where the sand is soft and white, the water is green and blue, and the beach is perpetually tidy. 

Gabriel Schwartz Realtor Seaside 30A

On beautiful 30A, nestled in the Florida Panhandle’s pristine white sands and sparkling blue water, sits a seaside community where just miles down the road feels miles away from ordinary. 

 You could be forgiven for waking up in Alys Beach and mistaking it for heaven. Sure, the water is perfect, the dunes delicious, and the weather divine, but the lasting impression is of the building design. Stunning white stucco covers practically every inch of architectural surface, with Bermudian influences and that alabaster palette that makes Santorini look as if it’s not trying hard enough. With the architecture so well planned, you can rest assured that the rest of the community is too, with some of the finest pools you’ll find in a resort community, fantastic restaurants, public art, private cabanas, a wellness center, and miles of nature trails. Alys Beach is near many other communities bristling with retail abundance, and close to acres and acres of parks both along the beach and along Powell Lake, a coastal dune lake with an astounding variety of wildlife and recreational activities. Where every detail makes luxury seem simple and a life of beauty, simplicity, balance, and grace still thrives. This is life defined. 

Gabriel Schwartz Realtor Alys Beach 30A