Santa Rosa Beach Voted One of Best Beach Destination for 2011

Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
by Kate Hamlin

Santa Rosa Beach Florida which comprises the area known as Scenic 30A or the Beaches of South Walton is located between Destin and Panama City Beach. The sand is white, the area abounds with world class "new urbanistic" communities and the waters are sparkling white turquoise. It's no surprise that Yahoo has just voted Santa Rosa Beach one of the best beach destinations for 2011 stating:

"Although this entire gallery could be filled with Florida beaches, there is one in particular that caught our eye this year. Recently celebrating its centennial anniversary, Santa Rosa Beach, and its long stretch of untouched sand and calm seas offers a quiet escape on the Hogtown Bayou. Though the lapping waves and cool sand are the main attractions, there is plenty to do inland, such as shopping, fine dining, and golfing, and exploring the town's many art galleries and nature trails. As one of the 13 communities of South Walton, Santa Rosa Beach is now easily reached by flying into Panama City's new airport."

Magnificent beach front homes are available for weekly rentals and while Santa Rosa Beach commands pricey rates, the homes are often large enough where the expense can often be split by several families for the beach vacation of a lifetime in paradise. Looking for beach homes for rent in Florida? Check this one out!

30A Officially Designated a Florida Scenic Highway

Date: 2/25/2008

30A Officially Designated a Florida Scenic Highway

(Walton County -2/25/2008) The vote in Tallahassee was "unanimous"

For Immediate Release February 25, 2008 Santa Rosa Beach, Fl – County Road 30A, an 18-mile road which runs parallel to the coastline through a major portion of Walton County, was officially designated a Florida Scenic Highway by the Scenic Highway Advisory Committee Wednesday, February 20 in Tallahassee. This designation includes another 10.5 miles of connector roads which are County Road 83 (Blue Mountain) County Road 283 (Grayton Road) and County Road 395 (Seagrove – Eden Road). The vote by the committee was unanimous. "This designation is the culmination of about 10 years of work started by Commissioner Van Ness Butler who recognized the benefits that would accrue from this,” says District 5 Commissioner Cindy Meadows. “We are now eligible to apply for grant funding for projects we have identified in the application. Some of these include plans to address storm water management, landscaping, traffic safety, signage, parking, preservation, coastal dune lake protection, and other initiatives that promote the intrinsic resources found on 30A and connector roads. I was glad to see this designation finally come to fruition and appreciate all the work that was done by citizens, elected officials, and county staff over the years." According to the Florida Department of Transportation, designated scenic highways promote a heightened awareness of the state's exceptional resources and unique history through educational and visual experiences. The scenic highway program was developed in response to legislation (Section 335.093, Florida Statutes) "to preserve, maintain, protect and enhance Florida's outstanding cultural, historical, archeological, recreational, natural and scenic resources." It is voluntary and grass-roots based, involving strong local citizen and government support to help meet objectives. The program is perhaps best summarized by its mission statement: The Florida Scenic Highways Program will preserve, enhance and maintain the intrinsic resources of scenic corridors through a sustainable balance of conservation and land use. Through community-based consensus and partnerships, the program will promote economic prosperity and broaden the traveler's overall recreational and educational experience. The Friends of Scenic 30A, formally the corridor advocacy group, will implement the Corridor Management Plan (CMP) applying for grants to accomplish, the CMP, working with partnerships from other citizen organizations, our State Parks, the BCC, the Walton Chamber, the TDC, the Coastal Dune Lake Advisory, the FDOT and government officials to oversee scenic highway beautification and complete the goals set forth in the CMP. Public meetings will be planned by The Friends of Scenic 30A, encouraging citizens who have businesses or homes along the scenic corridor to attend and complete the CMP. Anyone wishing to become involved in The Friends of Scenic 30A should contact the office of Commissioner Cindy Meadows at meacindy@co.walton.fl.us or 850-622-3059. The Walton County Board of Commissioners will recognize the volunteers who have been involved with this significant designation project at the March 11 Walton County Commission meeting at the South Walton Courthouse Annex.