Category - "News"

The cat is definitely out of the bag. USA Today recently identified the Emerald Coast’s Santa Rosa Beach as one of the ten best kept secret beaches in Florida. Noting the brilliant green waters and sugar white sand, the reporter wondered whether she was actually in the Bahamas, and not in Northwest Florida. While Santa Rosa Beach tends to generate a little less buzz than its neighbors to the east and west, it is home to a number of upscale, fine dining restaurants, plenty of beach, Eden Gardens State Park

South Walton Emeril’s FloridaEmerald Coast resident and celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse has been seen in and around 30-A and South Walton filming his Cooking Channel Show, Emeril’s Florida. During season two, Emeril will feature nine South Walton restaurants as part of the series that highlights Florida restaurants, cooking events, and restaurant culture. This season, Emeril will visit some South Walton culinary staples, including Seaside’s “Airstream Row” featuring Raw and Juicy, Wild Bill’s Beach Dogs, Meltdown on 30-A, and Frost Bites. Also featured are some of South Walton’s newer and most

Destin Pool Safetey Recently, a number of tragic drowning related accidents in pools have been in the news, prompting families to take a closer look at the safety and security of home swimming pools. Many of the luxury beach homes offered by Five Star Beach Properties have beautiful swimming pools. Our owners and maintenance staff work hard to ensure the pools comply with local safety ordinances and recommendations. You’ll find that most homes offer gated security around the pool, and many provide an alarm or sensor, to notify visitors that

Nobody likes to get sick or injured, especially when you’re on your vacation and away from your family doctor or pediatrician. If you or a family member are suffering from a minor illness or injury, there are a number of Urgent Care Clinics throughout Destin and the Emerald Coast which provide quick relief to even the most stubborn ear infection. Most of these clinics accept major health insurance and have a reasonable co-pay. When you, or your child is too sick to enjoy the beach, but not sick enough to

The Mattie Kelly Arts Center, located at Northwest Florida State College just across the Mid-Bay Bridge in Niceville presents the award winning and much beloved musical “Les Miserable” July 17-20 and July 25th-27. Currently experiencing a pop culture resurgence, thanks to last year’s Academy Award Winning Film starring Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway, “Les Mis” has been teaching audience to “ Dream A Dream” for more than twenty five years. Les Miserable, the world’s longest running musical, has been seen by more than 65 million people, in 42 countries. This

Every year, towards the end of July, jelly fish decide to visit the Emerald Coast. According to marine biologists, the annoying sea life get caught in the Gulf Stream and make their way to our warm, Emerald Green Waters. You’ll know we have uninvited guests by the Purple Flags flying on the beach. While jellyfish stings can be painful, they are generally not life threatening, and there are a couple of basic household items you can throw in your beach bag to help take the sting away. As long as

Farmer’s Markets are popping up all over the Emerald Coast. So if you’re in need (or in want) of local produce, eggs, baked goods and condiments, you have plenty of choices. From fresh flowers to fresh eggs, you’ll find what you’re looking for- and probably some things you didn’t know you needed. The 30-A Farmer’s Market in Rosemary Beach Town Center, is held rain or shine from 9-2 on Thursdays and Sundays, until the end of August. The market is filled with local vendors selling International Food, locally grown produce,

Both avid and casual anglers are looking forward to June 1st, when Florida’s extended red snapper season begins. This year, red snapper season, in state waters, begins June 1 and ends July 14th, giving charter boat captains and fisherman a 44 day red snapper season. State waters run 9 nautical miles from shore, and the bag limit remains at 2 per person, or 10 per boat. Federal waters, however, have a much shorter season, beginning June 1 and ending June 26. Both the bag limit and the size of fish

Celebrities enjoy a low key and luxurious vacation just like the rest of us. The Emerald Coast and The Beaches of South Walton are host to many A-listers  on a regular basis. In fact, we’ll let you in on a little secret – Five Star Beach Properties has had many celebrity guests stay at our luxury vacation rentals! And while area residents and visitors are used to seeing Emeril, Governor Mike Huckabee, and Sheryl Crowe, more and more celebrities are finding their way to our beautiful, sugar white sand

Although the Emerald Coast has experienced some cooler than average temperatures this spring, the temperatures are rising and hot summer days are right around the corner and that means plenty of time for the beach. While Emerald Coast Beaches are patrolled and safeguarded by professional lifeguards, paying attention to beach safety flags is another way for you and your family to stay safe. The beach safety flag system is a visual indication of surf and tide conditions. The warning flags fly daily from 9:00 am-6:00 pm and you can get

In this upcoming series, we’re highlighting Destin’s “Best of the Emerald Coast” winners in an easy-to-reference itinerary format, starting with Food & Beverages. Showcasing the best in food and beverages, shopping, entertainment and services, Emerald Coast Magazine’s readers vote to determine who “The Best of the Emerald Coast Awards” winners will be during this popular event. The acclaimed lifestyle magazine has been entertaining area residents and visitors for more than a decade, making a name for itself through award-winning writing, bold layouts and stunning photography. When looking for the best

U.S. News Travel recently ranked the top 8 beaches in Florida. Destin, Florida ranked 4th on that list. With about 1,200 miles of coastline, Florida is a year-round escape for many on the East Coast. Plus, the diversity of the shores — from family-friendly to party hardy — helps draw a variety of travelers. When making your decision about where to go, you should consider two general rules of Floridian geography: One, the farther south you head, the warmer, more tropical weather you’ll encounter. And two, Gulf Coast water is