Crystal Beach - Destin, Florida

Matt has vacationed in Destin, Florida for twenty-five years and I have been going with him for the past eight years. So I think that qualifies us as Destin experts. We have stayed in many condos and duplexes and  many areas of Destin, but our favorite by far is Crystal Beach on Scenic Highway 98. This year we were nostalgic and so we stayed at our Honeymoon spot there on Crystal Beach. The Sea Oats Motel was just as charming as we remembered. It is not fancy but we love it. The motel was built in the 1950's before any other hotel or condominium on Crystal Beach. The Sea Oats has bleached clapboard siding and rustic decks that lead directly out onto the beach. Being able to open the sliding door and step right onto the sugar white sand is priceless. It is perfect for a relaxing vacation for two. Beach service is provided so we had our two lounge chairs and an umbrella everyday. There was parasailing, wave-runners, and paddle boards to rent right there by the motel so it was entertaining to watch all those activities. We mainly relaxed and sunbathed in the Gulf breeze while enjoying beverages and shrimp cocktail. The emerald water was perfect for swimming. It was just the vacation we needed.

To see all the Sea Oat Properties: http://www.seaoatsrentals.com/

Matt & Mary Ann's DOs & DON'Ts for Destin

We have some DOs and DON'Ts for the beach. DO stay at Crystal Beach. We have learned the best thing to DO on a Destin vacation is to immediately upon arrival at the beach, get your steamed or boiled shrimp, Seminole cocktail sauce, smoked tuna dip and Key lime pie. Then go to the grocery store to get the other items needed for the week.  Beverages should be the only thing that you will need to restock on after that. The first night arriving, DO have peel and eat shrimp for dinner in the room so you can get straight to the beach and stay there all evening. DO get out there early the next day to reserve your chairs and umbrella for the week. While sunbathing, picnicking on the beach is preferred because going out to lunch is really expensive and takes up too much of the day. So DON'T eat out for lunch unless you DO walk down the beach for oysters on the half shell and "she crab" soup at the Crab Trap beach bar.  For dinner our favorite spot is Camille's and it is a DO to eat there twice during a vacation because the sushi there is phenomenal and the continental entrees are fantastic. It is better to have two meals at Camille's so you can have both. To see the menu www.camillesatcrystalbeach.com/  Captain Dave's is another great spot to eat. It is right on the beach so DO dine there at sunset in the main dining room. Both places have outdoor bars and live music. AJ's is a good night spot to people watch and listen to music. AJ's is on the harbor and so DO go and look at the yachts, fishing boats, and sail boats docked there. McGuire's is one of our favorites too. It is a great Irish pub with Irish food, steaks, and seafood so DO go there.  DON'T go to Dewey Destin's for a meal because it is too touristy, instead DO just go there for appetizers and drinks. The waiting patio is the nicest part of that restaurant, but inside is bright, crowded and rushed so Matt and I DON'T like it. The Back Porch is another spot we used to love but it is also getting very touristy and the wait is way too long. If you don't like big crowds and waiting DON'T go there. We skipped The Back Porch this year. Our favorite breakfast place is the Donut Hole but DO get there before 10:00 if you DON'T want to wait. DON'T get caught up in tourist traps. Only if it rains DO go to the shopping outlets and maybe catch a movie. Rain comes and goes quickly in Destin so DON'T worry about the rain. On sunny days DO stay on the beach and enjoy the good life! That is a few of Matt and my DOs and DON'Ts for Destin. 

The Murphy's Destin 2011