News & Info

Sandestin Investments, LLC (SDI) has received a development order from the Walton County Board of County Commissioners to proceed with the building of a new 250-room full-service hotel and conference center. The Sandestin Hotel and Conference Center will be located adjacent to the Baytowne Conference Center at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. This four-star hotel is the first new development within Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in over 4 years. Construction will commence in August 2018 with completion projected for April 2020.

Black Bear Bread Company, LLC. announces plans to open a second location at Hyatt Place Sandestin at Grand Boulevard this year. 

Chef Jim Shirley of South Walton County, Florida was contacted by the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association to prepare a high end, four-course meal for the then Governor Elect of Florida Ron DeSantis’ Inaugural Candlelight Dinner the night before his inauguration. On January 7, 2019, Chef Jim and a crew of 30 including his top chefs and Director of Operations, Dan Tinghitella, traveled to Mission San Luis in Tallahassee to prepare for the evening’s event. The dinner was hosted by the Republican Party of Florida.

The rest of the globe is catching on to what we already know. That South Walton is one of the most special places on the planet!

Our beach community has been selected as one of the 28 Best Places to Visit in 2019, according to National Geographic Traveler’s editors and explorers.

Bud & Alley's Waterfront Restaurant located on Scenic 30A overlooking the Gulf in Seaside, has again won the state’s highest culinary honor, Florida Trend Magazine's Golden Spoon Hall of Fame Award.

Many visitors to SoWal are shocked to find out that much of the stretch of beach between Miramar Beach and Inlet Beach is deeded to beachfront owners. As parking has gotten scarce and chair vendors have taken over much of the public space, competition for a place to relax is getting heated.

Several local businesses have come together in order to gather supplies and raise funds for those directly affected by Hurricane Michael.

The Category 4 storm caused an overwhelming amount of damage to Panama City, Panama City Beach, Mexico Beach, Lynn Haven, and Apalachicola, Fla. Since it’s devastating landfall on October 10, locals have jumped at the opportunity to help aid relief efforts in any way possible.  

Here in SoWal we are very thankful that we had very little impact from Hurricane Michael. Damage was limited to a relatively small number of trees down causing brief road closures and power out for much of South Walton for a couple of days. All businesses are open and the Gulf water is back to blue and beautiful.

As Hurricane Michael has moved out of our area, we are thankful that Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort fared very well.  

TIME Magazine has revealed its inaugural list of the World’s Greatest Places, and SoWal is part of history!

The prestigious list highlights 100 destinations that are breaking new ground, leading industry trends and offering visitors an extraordinary experience.