Vacation experts (Destin or San Destin?) (1 Viewer)

[barto]

Are these places one in the same or is there a difference? I've only been to Destin one time and it was last year for a couple of days. I rented a condo and it was pretty decent, but i wasn't exactly blown away by my first Destin experience. I guess i expected more, since i've heard so many great things about Destin, since i moved to Louisiana 6 years ago.

I've been told that San Destin is nicer than Destin, but i'm confused if both places are one in the same and people just call them different names.

Can anyone help me out with an explanation or suggest a nice condo/resort in the area i should stay at?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Mojomajik9]

Sandestin is a few miles east of Destin. You have a few more upscale condos, beach resorts and golf courses. This link has plenty of info about the area.

http://www.sandestin.com/

Chances are though, if you weren't satisfied with Destin, Sandestin won't be that big of a difference. But, if you do go you can explore different areas such as Fort Walton Beach, Panama City Beach and Pensacola. You can probably get to PCB in less than an hour and P'cola within an hour and half.

If you're not into golfing, shopping, beach bumming etc...you're probably not going to enjoy yourself that much.

 

[B-Rich]

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.

 

[B-Rich]

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....

 

[barto]

Sandestin is a few miles east of Destin. You have a few more upscale condos, beach resorts and golf courses. This link has plenty of info about the area.

http://www.sandestin.com/

Chances are though, if you weren't satisfied with Destin, Sandestin won't be that big of a difference. But, if you do go you can explore different areas such as Fort Walton Beach, Panama City Beach and Pensacola. You can probably get to PCB in less than an hour and P'cola within an hour and half.

If you're not into golfing, shopping, beach bumming etc...you're probably not going to enjoy yourself that much.

I'm definitely into golfing, but it's just going to be the girlfriend and I, so i'm not sure how much i'm going to be able to play. I've been told there are a lot of great courses in the Destin area.

Last year we went towards the end of july (might have been early August). Matter of fact, a tropical depression formed off the coast the night of our last day. We had a good time, but we were only there for a couple of days and that might of had something to do with it.

I remember the beaches, water and sand being awesome. We did go with 2 other couples and they didn't want to go out to eat as much for dinner, so perhaps this go around we can find some better restaurants. I went to the outlets and those were good.

 

[buzd]

I remember the beaches, water and sand being awesome. We did go with 2 other couples and they didn't want to go out to eat as much for dinner, so perhaps this go around we can find some better restaurants. I went to the outlets and those were good.

That's pretty much it. If you get the chance, there is some really great deep sea fishing out of Destin - charters are easy to find.

I find the food in Destin to be mediocre - but we live in New Orleans, after all. I'd rather spend the day on the beach and then grill burgers, cook in the condo or get pizza or something casual. The food scene in Destin has improved over the last decade, but it's not a dining destination.

 

[boutrous]

That's pretty much it. If you get the chance, there is some really great deep sea fishing out of Destin - charters are easy to find.

I find the food in Destin to be mediocre - but we live in New Orleans, after all. I'd rather spend the day on the beach and then grill burgers, cook in the condo or get pizza or something casual. The food scene in Destin has improved over the last decade, but it's not a dining destination.

As far as beach vacations go in driving distance from New Orleans, Destin has the best varity of resturants. I wouldn't go just for the food, but if your are going to the beach anyway and enjoy eating out, Destin is one of the best places. Not to mention the beachs and water are so much nicer, too. I find Destin has pretty much everything you could want. If you just want to bum it up at the beach, Pensacola or Gulf Shores are cheaper alternatives. If you are like me who likes being at the beach but prefers to have all the amenities, too, then Destin is the best place we have found.

Barto, what kind of food do you like and what didn't you enjoy about the first time you went. Maybe I could make some suggestions.

 

[Yoweigh]

Go to Navarre Beach. Much less developed and 'touristy' than the Destins. I just got back from Pensacola Beach and though that was pretty excellent as well.

 

[buzd]

What kind of food do you like and what didn't you enjoy about the first time you went. Maybe I could make some suggestions.

Maybe my post came off as anti-Destin? I'm not - at all. And I would agree with you that Destin probably has the best dining along that strip of beach as well. Just that over my years of going, the cooking over there has just been a little subpar - but I think that's more from a food-snob comparison to New Orleans than anything else. And it's not terrible.

And when I'm at the beach, I don't usually want to go out for a big dinner anyway - just my bias.

But I love Destin. I wasn't trying to slam it.

 

[Boudro]

I'm with ya "B". I've been there a few times and while their food is better than PCB, it's not great. It's probably good by the standards of the area but not by ours, only because we're used to eating a different style of food. Again, not terrible, but not what I'm used to.

 

[buzd]

"B".

 

[boutrous]

But I love Destin. I wasn't trying to slam it.

No sorry I understood completely. I was just trying to expand on what you said. That question was directed to the OP and not you

 

[SWJJ]

My wife's family owns a home in sandestin. If you like golf and the beach I highly reccomend Sandestin.

Try and eat at the ocean club, best dining in the area. The Hilton resort is Sandestin is incrediably nice.

Sandestin also has a little village of shops resturants and bars that make for an enjoyable night life.

 

[gabe311]

I went to New Grayton/Seaside for the Gustav evacuation. I will never go to Destin again after that. Grayton Beach/Seaside is definitely the way to go. Much, much nicer, more secluded, less touristy. Only bad thing is that means more $$$!

 

[dtc]

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.