By Carol Muse Evans

Rosemary Beach. Even the name sounds lovely. Named for the wild herb that grows in the area, the name evokes an inviting place.

And for many, it is a slice of heaven along the sugary, white sand beaches of Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Unlike the hustle and bustle of some of the more touristy, populated areas along the Gulf Coast, Rosemary Beach offers peace and tranquility in this neo-traditional town right on the beach at the eastern end of Scenic Route 30A.

Rosemary Beach isn’t just a resort, it’s a neighborhood. Neighborhoods of houses, carriages houses and even The Pensione, an Italian-style bed and breakfast inn, are interconnected by small roads, footpaths and boardwalks that lead folks all over the community and town square. Nothing is more than a 5 minute walk away, and bicycling is the preferred form of travel among young and old alike. You can even rent bikes nearby for the duration of your stay, or bring your own.

This bit of paradise among Florida’s Gulf Coast offers the opportunity for families to enjoy a less-crowded beach in its natural beauty in an upscale community offering all the comforts and privacy of home. While many homes are individually owned, they each have their own personality and décor and are equipped with all the luxuries and necessities. Most offer fully equipped kitchens, and some homes even have shuttered sleeping porches, making for a story your kids will long remember and tell about sleeping “outdoors” at the beach.

Children will enjoy hiking and biking with their parents, and these trips can take you to some of the great amenities offered by the resort, like its four swimming pools, shopping, ice cream shop and dining, tennis courts, and of course, the beach. For Mom and Dad, there’s even the Rosemary Beach Fitness Center, Solace Day Spa, golf, scuba diving, fishing tours and babysitting services. Common greens are located throughout the resort and offer a great place for games, picnics and other outdoor events.

Rosemary Beach is one of the many communities that make up the Beaches of South Walton, the only destination in the U.S. to have all 26 miles of its coastline certified as “Blue Wave Beaches,” an environmental seal of approval from the Clean Beaches Council. South Walton itself is home to more than 75 restaurants, specialty and outlet shopping, such as the Silver Sands Factory Stores in Sandestin, and offers some 209 holes of championship golf.

CAROL MUSE EVANS IS EDITOR AND PUBLISHER OF BIRMINGHAM PARENT.

Rosemary Beach
P.O. Box 611040
Rosemary Beach, FL 32461
888-855-1551
850-2100
www.RosemaryBeach.com
Summer daily rates begin at $200
Spring and Fall daily rates begin at $164
Winter daily rates begin at $150

For additional information about the Beaches of South Walton:
800-822-6877
www.beachesofsouthwalton.com