Journal

Notes from the porch.

Local guides, seasonal advice and a few opinions about where to eat. Written by people who live here.

Where Destin locals actually eat (it's not the tourist strip)

Skip the marquees on Highway 98. The best fish tacos in town come from a converted garage in Crystal Beach, and the line moves faster than you'd think.

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October in Destin: the best month no one books

The water is still 78°. The crowds are gone. Hotels drop their rates by 40%. Here's why fall might be the new summer on the Emerald Coast.

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Twelve hours in Destin with three kids under ten

A real-life itinerary from a real-life dad on our team. Including the splash park no one tells you about and where to find a quiet 2 p.m. nap zone.

Read the day →

Sea turtle nesting season: how guests can help

From May through October, loggerheads come ashore at night. Five small things you can do that make an enormous difference.

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A slow drive down Scenic 30A, beach by beach

Grayton, WaterColor, Seaside, Rosemary. The character changes every two miles. Here's how to pick the one that's right for your week.

Take the drive →

What we look for before adding a home to our portfolio

The seventeen-point checklist that means we say no to four out of every five owners who approach us. (And why we're glad we do.)

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Quiet, occasional letters from the coast.

One email a month. Seasonal advice, the occasional last-minute deal, and never your data sold to anyone.