Vacation experts (Destin or San Destin?)

Two different things entirely, in two different counties.

Destin is an actual incorporated city in Florida, in Okaloosa County. It extends from the East Pass into Choctawhatchee Bay on the west to the Okaloosa/Walton County line on the east. As its own city, it contains not only condos, but also houses, schools, retail, marinas and docks, an airport, etc. It is pretty well built-up and Hwy 98 gets pretty congested.

Sandestin (one word) is an inclusive Golf and Beach resort about 3 miles east of the City of Destin, in Walton County, Florida. The resort features stand-alone homes, villas, hotels, condos, townhomes for residential. It has four golf courses, tennis, swimming pools, other recreation activities.

By the way, going about a half-hour further than Sandestin and getting a cottage or beach house along Hwy 30-A (like at Seaside or Dune Allen) beats either Destin OR Sandestin....

This.