Take a Look at the Florida Panhandle - Part 2 - Gulf Islands National Seashore and South Walton Beaches

The Gulf Islands National Seashore and the South Walton Beaches

The Gulf Islands National Seashore

The Gulf Islands National Seashore is the most westerly of the coastlines and spans from Mississippi to Pensacola Beach.

The Gulf Islands National Seashore contains thousands of acres of beaches, bayous, barrier islands, forts and other historic sites. With a variety of things to do, explore either by yourself or on a guided tour.

Note: Some areas were severely damaged from the 2004-2005 hurricane seasons. These areas are probably still closed, so check before you go: Santa Rosa Area, Fort Pickens Area.

South Walton Beaches

Just east of Pensacola you will find the South Walton Beaches, stretching 26 miles of powdery white sands, vast pine forests, cool underground springs, marshlands, bays, bayous and blue gulf waters.

A most beautiful spot is Deer Lake State Park. Located east of Seagrove Beach off Scenic Highway 30-A. The south side of the park offers pristine beach and lake areas. North of Scenic Highway 30-A, you’ll find hiking trails meandering through unspoiled forests.

Grayton Beach Florida, another of the South Walton Beaches, was established in the late 19th century. Grayton Beach is a historic district, with many of the old wooden shacks now properly restored.

The Grayton Beach has a scenic hiking trail and shops for purchasing your unusual visitors’ items.

Seaside, is a town by developer Robert Davis who created a modern town with Victorian style cottages sprinkled with extravagant carvings. The town is like a film set which therefore made a good setting for the 1997 movie, the Truman Show - about a man brought up on the set of a soap opera.

Seaside encourages walking as the town is pretty and the shops and schools are near. There are museums, ice-cream store, market, market and art galleries - you need not imagine it - visit Florida Gulf Coast!

Tim Burton writes travel articles for the popular Orlando Villas Florida website and Vacation Rentals Worldwide website.

© Copyright 2006 by Tim Burton