While in South Walton, be sure to stray a bit off the beach and visit Eden Gardens State Park in Point Washington on Tucker Bayou. It's a beautiful slice of old Florida and the historic Wesley Mansion sits on the grounds of the park and is open for tours.
We can trace the Wesley family’s shared history with Tucker Bayou and the surrounding community to the late 1800s when they arrived in Point Washington around 1885.
If you’ve ever driven down Scenic 30A through Seaside, then chances are you've seen one or more of the Seaside pavilions on the Gulf.
They are beautiful and enticing. They may be the most photographed architecture in South Walton, and they are also quite significant to SoWal’s history and architectural story. The nine pavilions help make our community stand out from other beach destinations, and each structure is unique in appearance and designed by a different architect.
Educational opportunities continue to improve and expand in South Walton, building brighter futures right here in our own backyard.
Sinfonia Gulf Coast has begun registration for the 2025-2026 Music Education programs. As the only program affiliated with a professional orchestra in the Emerald Coast region, the Sinfonia Youth Orchestra (SYO) offers student musicians unparalleled opportunities to enhance their musical talents and perform in a variety of ensembles throughout the school year under the mentorship of professional musicians.
Emerald Coast Theatre Company’s (ECTC) 2025 Fall Educational Theatre programs are going to be 'off-the-charts' fun!
These programs provide creative and engaging classes designed especially for young thespians from elementary to high school, as well as adult classes. ECTC offers classes for Mini Players (5yrs.-1st), Little Players (2nd-3rd grade), Big Players (4th-5th grade), teens, and adults.
Ever wonder how the town of Seaside, Florida began? It's become an extremely popular place to visit and served as a model that many new small towns have followed. Read on to learn about the history of Seaside.
Time was, families coming to the beach stayed in simple cottages…in beach towns where porch-sitting and strolling were activities at least as important as swimming and sunbathing.
The South Walton Fire District Junior Lifeguard Program returns for Summer 2025 with approximately 200 participants ready to learn what it takes to work as a surf rescue professional along the Emerald Coast.
The program begins Tuesday, June 10, with a dual-curriculum approach, creating a fun and welcoming environment for both first-time and returning Juniors. More information and registration online at SWFD.org.
Listen up, beach lovers! It's that special time of year again in South Walton – Sea Turtle Season is officially underway, running from May 1st all the way through October 31st.
These ancient mariners, our flippered friends who've been gracing our shores for millions of years, need our extra TLC during this crucial nesting period.
Red Tide can ruin a day at the beach in Walton County, Florida. Luckily, Red Tide is pretty rare in South Walton. The 30A beaches rarely get Red Tide, but when it come it is no fun. Red Tide can ruin a vacation if it is present in the Gulf of Mexico. Although sometimes it is mild and people think it is an allergy irritation or a mild cold. Sometimes it is severe and makes you feel like you have the flu.
Red Tide affects people differently. If Red Tide is heavy, you definitely want to stay out of the water. And it may be difficult to be on the beach or even near the beach.
Spring is here and Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance (CBA) is hopping all around our watershed!
The CBA has a robust agenda of activities for the spring season, dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of our watershed. There are upcoming field trips with local children, extensive water monitoring, and new outreach programs and events for you to be a part of. Time spent outdoors, giving back, supporting our local environment - it doesn't get any better!
