Escape to Florida

On the Emerald Coast, the beach is the only place to be. The sun, the sand and the surf beckon travelers to bare a little skin, throw down a towel and leave their troubles behind. With dozens of access points to public beaches, the ocean is always just minutes away and it doesn't cost a dime. Just be sure to remember the sunscreen.

Quick Tips:

To make the most of your particular trip, go to the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Tourist Development Council Visitors Center on the east end of Okaloosa Island at Beasley Park just before the long stretch of public beaches. They have dozens of brochures, pamphlets and maps on things to do and see, places to eat and stay and just about anything else you can think of. The staff was well-informed and helpful.

Best Way To Get Around:

A car is a must if you want to sight-see and visit nearby Okaloosa Island and Destin although several brochures mentioned bus or shuttle services in the area.

Best Things Nearby:
It's only a mile to the beach and just a few miles from the Gulfarium, which seems pretty popular. The resort is also walking distance from a few little shops, bars, restaurants, the marina and a public park. Within a short drive, there are dozens of other stores, restaurants, a mall and a movie theater.

Best Things About the Resort:
The staff was very informative about things to do and places to eat. The deck on the marina had a lovely view of the bay and the boats coming in and out. A blue heron seemed to have taken up residence there.

Resort Experience:
The rooms, furniture and amenities were pretty standard. Most of the items that were not provided in the room were available for a $10 deposit such as iron and ironing board and equipment for the different recreational areas — ping pong paddles, bikes and such. The pool, hottub, exercise room, sauna, putting green and shuffle board were all standard. Sand volleyball court was nice but never saw anyone using it.

• Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
• Activities: Fair
• Amenities: Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Very Good
• Family Friendliness: Good
• Service: Very Good

I ordered the marinated chicken breast dinner with mixed vegetables and garlic mashed potatoes, a house salad with ranch on the side and an unsweetened ice tea with no lemon. Waiter got everything right with the exception of a lemon in my tea.

Salad was a nice suprise since it had other mixed greens, not just iceberg lettuce, also big croutons and shredded parmesan cheese.

The chicken was moist and flavorful. The garlic potatoes were superb, moist yet fluffy and garlicy without being too salty. The vegetables though were a little bland.

The view was spectacular from the deck above the beach, watched a nice sunset while eating, sound of waves very relaxing.

Restaurant caters well to families. There were several there when I was eating and everyone seemed to be having a good time. Kids watching birds and people on the beach while waiting for food to come or parents to finish eating. I ate alone but didn't find the family atmosphere intrusive to my own dining experience. 80s music played in the background.

My dinner total was about $16, which I would usually consider steep but I think you pay a little bit more for the spectacular view.

Indoor dining with floor to ceiling windows offering a view of the beach and ocean. Music was instrumental favorites from the 40s played quietly in the background. Very relaxing and peaceful. Glass top tables with cloth napkins, waiters in dress pants and white shirts, definately a more upscale restaurant. Ordered prime cut sirloin with mushrooms and onions, fresh green beans and rice pilaf, ice tea and house salad. Everything came just as I ordered. Waiter was attentive but unobtrusive.

The steak was flavorful and juicy as were the green beans. The rice was fluffy and lightly seasoned and sprinkled with parsley.

Ordered some kind of chocolate extravaganza to take with me for dessert later. Was definately full after meal. The dessert had a layer of moist cake, a layer of liquid caramel, a layer of creamy light fudge topped with chocolate syrup with bits of toffee and pecans. Sinfully rich and delicious.

Meal cost about $23 dessert and all but was worth every penny.

Pepitos is casual dining with a pleasant atmosphere. Spanish music played quietly in the background. Service was prompt, pleasant, attentive yet unobtrusive. Booths and tables with paper napkins.

Customary chips and salsa preceeded meal. Salsa was mildly spicy, not pureed to soup but not too chunky either.

Ordered shredded beef chimichanga with no guacamole, and all rice, no beans as the side.

This was one of the few restaurants I went to that actually served Pepsi products. Ordered a huge Mt. Dew. Was rewarded with gigantic cup which came just in time since salsa was heating things up.

Food was freshly prepared but served promptly. Huge plate of food, excellent portion sizes.

Chimichanga was crispy on the outside and chewy inside, filled with tender seasoned beef. Rice was lightly seasoned, moist and delicious. Plenty of tomato, lettuce and sour cream on the side. Altogether fabulous. Was even happier when the chack arrived. Only $7. Was completely full and satisfied.

Very nice casual dining atmosphere. Lots of nautical, kitschy decorations but they didn't overwhelm the dining room. Windows with nice view of marina. Mellow mix of tunes played quietly in the background. Some noise from bar downstairs but not obtrusive. Cloth napkins. Balloons and decorations clearly oriented toward children.

Had grouper strips with tartar sauce, french fries and cole slaw. I usually dislike fish and seafood but tried grouper on the recommedation of a relative. It was fantastic and worth the risk. No fishy flavor at all. So tender, the strips fell apart. Moist with no fishy flavor, just something new and delicious. Portion size was huge, got about half a dozen or more grouper strips, about a cup of cole slaw and more french fries then I would ever want to eat.

Meal cost $11.

Was visiting in the off season so parking was no problem. Can see how it would be trouble during spring and summer. The sand was clean with no signs of animal droppings or trash. Flags posted visibly on beach designated tide and wave danger in the water. Lifeguards usually not present on beach. Not very many people on beach despite number of resorts and hotels. Was told by people at resort that these beaches were less populated even during the season.

If your sweettooth starts bugging you while you're in the Fort Walton-Destin area, there are dozens of places to satisfy it but my top three are: Krispy Kreme donuts store, 795 Highway 98 E, Destin; Candymaker, 1655 Hwy. 98 E., Destin; and the Marble Slab Creamery, 34904 Emerald Coast Parkway, in the Crystal Beach Plaza behind O'Charley's, Destin.

Krispy Kreme serves hot donuts which are uncomparable. Kids will love watching how the donuts are made, just be sure to watch for the HOT sign out front to be lit up. You can get them just about anytime of day. The regular glazed and glazed creme-filled are my all-time favorites but they're all delicious. You can also pick up Krispy Kreme collectibles like T-shirts and coffee cups.

The Candymaker has just about every kind of candy you can imagine. It is fun to watch the fresh taffy being pulled and then cut and wrapped on old-fashioned machines. There are dozens of flavors of taffy, several kinds of fudge, a wide variety of chocolates, caramels and all kinds of other treats. The store also has a wide selection of souvenirs and collectibles such as shells and other nautical items.

The Marble Slab Creamery has ice cream made in the store fresh daily in about 20 different flavors. The ice cream is delicious by itself but for a little something extra, have some fruit, candy, chocolate or nuts mixed in on the cold marble slab. The fresh baked waffle cones are huge and delicious. They make shakes, sundaes, floats, malts, yogurt and from scratch cookies, brownies, apple pies and ice cream cakes.