Headed to Sandestin/Destin for the first time!

[IdahoSuz]

We are headed to the Destin area in FL in a few days. We are staying at the Hilton Grand Vacations Club in Sandestin. We love the fact that we can walk to many restaurants and activities from the resort. However, we will Uber into Destin for some meals and activities and we do plan to rent a car for one day so that we can explore the area and some of the small towns along the gulf. For those of you that have been there what are the activities not to be missed and please provide restaurant recommendations as well.

Thank you!

 

[JoeWilly]

We are headed to the Destin area in FL in a few days. We are staying at the Hilton Grand Vacations Club in Sandestin. We love the fact that we can walk to many restaurants and activities from the resort. However, we will Uber into Destin for some meals and activities and we do plan to rent a car for one day so that we can explore the area and some of the small towns along the gulf. For those of you that have been there what are the activities not to be missed and please provide restaurant recommendations as well.

Thank you!

Hi IdahoSuz. That's where we stayed too. The resort is very nice. They have a shuttle that will take you around the property--to the beach, etc. There are numerous restaurants within walking/shuttle distance away. Restaurants such as Emeril's, Fleming Steak House, PF Chang, and several others you can walk to. There are a lot of shops there too. The shuttle ride to the beach works great. In the parking garage, we found beach chairs and an umbrella. You can also rent complimentary bikes with helmets and ride around the numerous bike/walking paths. We even saw one or two dolphins at Joiley Island which is right next door to the property. At the marina, we were told the dolphins come in to the channel there but we never saw them there. If Debbie is your shuttle driver, tell her Joyce and Barney from Seattle say Hi.

 

[weems637]

When renting your car, ride down 30A, lots of beach side communities, and tons of eateries.

 

[IdahoSuz]

Thanks for the messages and info, weems637 and JoeWilly!

Another ? for you JoeWilly…. After the shuttle takes you to the beach can you rent beach chairs and umbrellas? Are there concessions or do we need to take food/drinks with us?

 

[JoeWilly]

When renting your car, ride down 30A, lots of beach side communities, and tons of eateries.

I agree. Great suggestion for when you have a rental car.

 

[JoeWilly]

Thanks for the messages and info, weems637 and JoeWilly!

Another ? for you JoeWilly…. After the shuttle takes you to the beach can you rent beach chairs and umbrellas? Are there concessions or do we need to take food/drinks with us?

RE: shuttle to the beach - yes, you can rent beach chairs and an umbrella. We saw rental prices from $55 to $80 daily for two chairs and an umbrella. But it's very easy to grab complimentary beach chairs (there were four or five chairs) and an umbrella (we saw two umbrellas) if they are still available from the resort. The shuttle drops you off right by the Hilton where there is a public entrance to the beach. There's a coffee shop in/near the Hilton, several restaurants in the Hilton and a beach bar restaurant right by the entrance to the beach. We were told the food was good there. There's plenty of places to get food and drinks near the beach.

 

[Rolltydr]

A couple of our favorite restaurants are McGuire’s Irish Pub (typical Irish fare but very good) and Louisiana Lagniappe (excellent seafood with a Louisiana influence). There are tons of great restaurants but we usually hit both of these during our visits.

 

[jp10558]

Mmm, how did you get into the Hilton Sandestin? It's Embarc - I don't know if I've seen it in RCI. I was underwhelmed when I was there in Feb in Wyndham Bay Club II. That location is probably only fun if you go right to golfing.

 

[IdahoSuz]

RE: shuttle to the beach - yes, you can rent beach chairs and an umbrella. We saw rental prices from $55 to $80 daily for two chairs and an umbrella. But it's very easy to grab complimentary beach chairs (there were four or five chairs) and an umbrella (we saw two umbrellas) if they are still available from the resort. The shuttle drops you off right by the Hilton where there is a public entrance to the beach. There's a coffee shop in/near the Hilton, several restaurants in the Hilton and a beach bar restaurant right by the entrance to the beach. We were told the food was good there. There's plenty of places to get food and drinks near the beach.

Thanks for the info. Considering those rental prices I will definitely try to grab the chairs and an umbrella from from the resort!

 

[IdahoSuz]

Mmm, how did you get into the Hilton Sandestin? It's Embarc - I don't know if I've seen it in RCI. I was underwhelmed when I was there in Feb in Wyndham Bay Club II. That location is probably only fun if you go right to golfing.

I got the reservation through Destination Xchange. We won't be golfing but I'm sure we will find lots of fun things to do!

 

[IdahoSuz]

A couple of our favorite restaurants are McGuire’s Irish Pub (typical Irish fare but very good) and Louisiana Lagniappe (excellent seafood with a Louisiana influence). There are tons of great restaurants but we usually hit both of these during our visits.

Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[JoeWilly]

I got the reservation through Destination Xchange. We won't be golfing but I'm sure we will find lots of fun things to do!

We traded in through Interval International. Most of the people we met at the resort were owners.

 

[weems637]

The Sandestin beach access can be very congested, umbrella rentals can be 5-7 rows deep! We travel by car, and have adjusted our beach time at two of the State Parks. Henderson State Park is between Sandestin and Destin and not anywhere as crowded at the Sandestin beach access, particularly during summer months. I think park admission is $6 per car. The other is Grayton State Park. Grayton has a much smaller footprint, and you have to get there relatively early, as the paid parking lot fills up quickly. If Grayton State Park is full, try the access in Grayton. They have a complementary shuttle from the parking lot. The only downside is the walk thru the sand is much longer, especially if you bring lots of beach gear.

 

[IdahoSuz]

The Sandestin beach access can be very congested, umbrella rentals can be 5-7 rows deep! We travel by car, and have adjusted our beach time at two of the State Parks. Henderson State Park is between Sandestin and Destin and not anywhere as crowded at the Sandestin beach access, particularly during summer months. I think park admission is $6 per car. The other is Grayton State Park. Grayton has a much smaller footprint, and you have to get there relatively early, as the paid parking lot fills up quickly. If Grayton State Park is full, try the access in Grayton. They have a complementary shuttle from the parking lot. The only downside is the walk thru the sand is much longer, especially if you bring lots of beach gear.

Thank you for the info on the beach access. We are renting a car one day and will likely stop at Henderson State park.