OT: Destin, FL

[aTotal360]

I'm trying to talk my wife out of taking a mini-vacation to Destin, FL. We are only considering it because we have a free place to stay. Seems like a dump that's loaded with old, crusty people looking to swing. I'd rather pay for rooms somewhere else in that area. Any suggestions?

 

[seshomoru]

It's the new Redneck Riviera with dbag old men

A few old farts who made enough money to pay for the divorce (or just step out) think it's the swing capital of the US now... and it is OBVIOUS. But then again... it cut the bar tab in half with how many times my wife got drinks bought for her.

And the food sucks, too.

Fishing is ok though I guess.

Traffic sucks.

The people suck.

Free place though...

Final analysis: Not worth it... go east or west to anywhere but Destin and y'all will have a much better time.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

Around Rosemary Beach and Watercolor seems to be less of the skeezy swinger types.

 

[johnson86-1]

A few old farts who made enough money to pay for the divorce (or just step out) think it's the swing capital of the US now... and it is OBVIOUS. But then again... it cut the bar tab in half with how many times my wife got drinks bought for her.

And the food sucks, too.

Fishing is ok though I guess.

Traffic sucks.

The people suck.

Free place though...

Final analysis: Not worth it... go east or west to anywhere but Destin and y'all will have a much better time.

Are you including Sandestin in "Destin" that different than Sandestin? I haven't really spent any time in Destin proper, but I've geen to Sandestin a good bit and while I'm not a huge fan of it, it hasn't been anywhere nearly as bad as you make Destin sound. Traffic no doubt sucks and it's hard to find good food (although it exists), but it's still an enjoyable place to go. As long as I had the option to at worst cook at the condo and walk to the beach, I'd go stay there for free over paying for something on 1A.

 

[DerHntr]

Fortunately it's been a long time since I went there. It sounds like nothing has changed. Do they still have a lot the tradishuns types down there hanging rebel flags off of their boats, cars, etc.? I had previously thought Florida was different than a lot of the south in that regard, but the last time I was there you would have thought I was in the grove with a beach.

 

[HD6]

A friend of mine has a buddy down there that's into that. Some lawyer type, he's pretty brazen about it he tells me.

That said, I go to Santa Rosa and Seaside every so often, and it's really nice over there.

 

[seshomoru]

There's a layer of Nautica cologne and SPF 0 Coppertone on the water there.

It's nothing but 50 year old orange guys in Peter Millar swim suits. Because you know... how much it costs matters more than that ugly pink and yellow floral design that's cutting off circulation to your junk because you think you still fit in a 36 waist.

It's just horrible there. Hell, go to downtown Pensacola for a night or two. Food is way better, the people are way more chill, and the rednecks and dbags have all headed east.

 

[Digging dog]

Heard Ozarka blazed a trail through there****

 

[UpTheMiddlex3Punt]

Swinging is like Crossfit, veganism, or atheism. If someone's into it, he's going to let you know.

 

[aTotal360]

You've described it perfectly. Last time I was down there it was pretty bad. Saw a bunch greaseballs wearing bathing suits made out of 2 twizzlers and an eye patch. Sounds like nothing has changed.

 

[ronpolk]

If you're going for the beach then you're not going to find a better beach within driving distance of MS. I'm really referring to the whole area, Destin, Fort Walton Beach, 30-A, Navarre and Pensacola. Traffic does suck in Destin but it's not bad this time of year.

A little shocked at some of the hate for Destin. Usually this comes from people who are too broke to afford Destin, so they stay in Gulf Shores and try to convince themselves its just as good as Florida. I grew up in Fort Walton Beach, so I'm biased I suppose.

If you want a great close beach to go, then go to NW Florida. If you want a good beach with a ton of restaurants and nightlife, then go to Miami or Ft. Lauderdale. If you want brown water and a good redneck bar (flora-bama), then go to Alabama.

 

[Tomas Smid]

Not having been there in many years, I know nothing about the nightlife. Twenty years ago the traffic was dense but it moved along. All of the restaurants were packed in prime hours.
I guarantee one thing that has not changed. The Destin area always had the whitest sand and the clearest water compared to anywhere within 100 miles east or west.

 

[Dog316]

I go to the area three or four times a year. Moved out from Destin proper to the Santa Rosa Beach area on 30A. It is laid back relaxed beautiful place, great people and some wonderful restaurants and a couple of nice taverns. Trust me there is nothing redneck about 30a. Everyone in my family loves the area so much that it is our favorite destination. Don't go unless you want to get hooked!

 

[mcdawg22]

If you go to Grayton, go to Johnny McTighe's. Best bar food you'll ever have and the drink prices aren't jacked up.

 

[DerHntr]

Not having been there in many years, I know nothing about the nightlife. Twenty years ago the traffic was dense but it moved along. All of the restaurants were packed in prime hours.
I guarantee one thing that has not changed. The Destin area always had the whitest sand and the clearest water compared to anywhere within 100 miles east or west.

I like the white beaches but as I've gotten older it's not all about the sand man.

 

[57stratdawg]

I like Navarre Beach personally.....

 

[DancingRabbit]

Yep

 

[PBRME]

No pineapple swim trunks?

 

[Bulldog Bruce]

My Daughter moved to FWB for a job and is on the radio there. I have been there twice this past year (stayed on Okaloosa Island) and it was nice both times. Now I don't do nightlife anymore so I can't comment on that. The food was good at all the places that rated well on yelp. I fished and we had a good time and caught Redfish and Specks. The beaches on Okaloosa were very nice. you could do the crowded beach or there were some beaches that are part of Eglin where you parked along 98 and it was pretty private.

We also did the 30A stuff of Seaside and Watercolor and that was nice. If your stay is free, it is a no-brainer to me.

 

[Drebin]

It's nothing but 50 year old orange guys in Peter Millar swim suits. Because you know... how much it costs matters more than that ugly pink and yellow floral design that's cutting off circulation to your junk because you think you still fit in a 36 waist.

It's just horrible there. Hell, go to downtown Pensacola for a night or two. Food is way better, the people are way more chill, and the rednecks and dbags have all headed east.

You know, I started to laugh, because this is damn funny. Then I came to the realization that this is entirely true.

If you are reading this, and you are from Destin, and you are over 50, you are more than likely a douche bag. And you probably root for Ole Miss.

 

[Drebin]

I like the white beaches but as I've gotten older it's not all about the sand man.

View attachment 2941

 

[was21]

I do too...don't tell anybody

 

[coach66]

Went a few years ago and stayed at a condo where the infamous Cash lives. You

described him perfectly. He hit on my wife everyday on the beach and he must have been at least 80 then.

 

[GhostOfJackie]

My personal opinion:

I like 30-A and South Walton Beaches. From Sandestin all the way to Rosemary Beach. Sandestin is getting a little crowded for my taste the older I get.

I also like Orange Beach-Perdido Key. Its much closer than the Destin Area, it's way less crowded, the food is great, and the sand and water is beautiful. People claim the sand is not as white and the water is brown, but those people also ride around with 30-A stickers on the back of their land rover in NE Jackson.

Navarre is also nice.

Destin and Ft. Walton proper have grown way too big and touristy for my taste.

 

[HotMop]

Do yourself a favor and avoid that place like the plague unless you want your wife to be eye raped by the locals. It's unreal how disgusting the residents of that city have become. If you are forced to go make sure you splash on some Ice Blue Aqua Velva, slick your hair back, and fire a 30A sticker on the back of your rented Range Rover. At least that way you won't stick out too much.

 

[HotMop]

You do realize the area between Sandestin and Rosemary Beach is the area called 30A right?

 

[Mafiadawg]

This might be one of the most ridiculous threads ever. A Destin, Florida bashing thread. If you don't want to go don't go but sheesh yall are describing something as bad as Iraq. The beaches, water, fishing are all great. Avoid the touristy restaurants which every place has. It's not as crowded as it used to be bc more development has happened east. Some of yall are the crochety old men you are trying to describe. I guess most would rather staycation.

 

[T-TownDawgg]

Seafood: Old Bay Steamer on Okaloosa island. Awesome little legit Itallian place out toward Sandestin called Fat Clemenza's. Outside of that go to Pensacola.

 

[DreadNought.sixpack]

Funny to hear all the absurd hate for the Fla. beaches. I have a feeling some of you must think the sun rises and sets on Gatlinburg.

 

[aTotal360]

Gatlinburg is a dump. Branson is where it's at.

 

[fishwater99]

I like Seagrove, Grayton Beach, Blue Mountain Beach and Dune Allen Beach, all on 30A.

 

[ronpolk]

Clemenza's also has a location at uptown station in fort Walton beach.

 

[mcdawg22]

My Daughter moved to FWB for a job and is on the radio there. I have been there twice this past year (stayed on Okaloosa Island) and it was nice both times. Now I don't do nightlife anymore so I can't comment on that. The food was good at all the places that rated well on yelp. I fished and we had a good time and caught Redfish and Specks. The beaches on Okaloosa were very nice. you could do the crowded beach or there were some beaches that are part of Eglin where you parked along 98 and it was pretty private.

We also did the 30A stuff of Seaside and Watercolor and that was nice. If your stay is free, it is a no-brainer to me.

What radio station Bruce?

 

[cowbell88]

Wife had a conference in Sandestin in 2012 and it was awful. Granted it was close to the 4th of July, but this country boy was overwhelmed with the traffic. 2 hours to outlet mall (I could see it from hotel). Then next day we went to beach, which took 45 minutes to cross highway. Then we stood damn near shoulder to shoulder in water and on beach. I spent next day inside hotel room drinking beer and watching crappy cable TV.

 

[Drebin]

View attachment 2946

 

[lowbird]

I think it's all about the time of year you go. We went to Crystal Beach in October last year, 0 complaints.

 

[campshelbydog842003]

I'm convinced that some of you can't have a good time anywhere.

 

[Dawg1976]

I think it's all about the time of year you go. We went to Crystal Beach in October last year, 0 complaints.

That's it exactly. I've always enjoyed Sandestin. But not during the Summer. Just too crowed. I have a place in Orange Beach, but Summertime is a pita there too.

 

[Go Budaw]

I didn't think about it until reading this thread, but I've been going to "Destin" at least every other year or so since I was about 10 years old, but the amount of time I've spent in actual Destin is next to none. My folks usually get a place on 30A in Santa Rosa Beach, which I enjoy visiting. Just a ton of great restaurants, low key bars / pubs, coffee shops, and local shopping options all the way from Santa Rosa to Watercolor, Seaside, Rosemary, etc. Plus the beaches are way less crowded if you're not into the spring break scene.

Destin is still decent if you're in a more outgoing mood (way better than PCB for damn sure), but I think once anyone gets to around 25 or so it gets old quick.

 

[ronpolk]

I didn't think about it until reading this thread, but I've been going to "Destin" at least every other year or so since I was about 10 years old, but the amount of time I've spent in actual Destin is next to none. My folks usually get a place on 30A in Santa Rosa Beach, which I enjoy visiting. Just a ton of great restaurants, low key bars / pubs, coffee shops, and local shopping options all the way from Santa Rosa to Watercolor, Seaside, Rosemary, etc. Plus the beaches are way less crowded if you're not into the spring break scene.

Destin is still decent if you're in a more outgoing mood (way better than PCB for damn sure), but I think once anyone gets to around 25 or so it gets old quick.

Santa Rosa Beach is not on 30-A.