Return to main articleGreat American Beaches 2008
Rosemary Beach
South Walton, Florida
Great For: Swimming. Rosemary has the same calm Gulf waters and sparkly quartz sand (it actually squeaks between your toes) as its neighbors along the 26-mile stretch of the Florida Panhandle. The difference: vacationers jam the beaches of Easter egg-colored Seaside, but it’s possible to find yourself alone here if you time things right (between September and December, the water still averages 79 degrees). Where To Stay: Try for one of the four Gulf-view rooms at The Pensione, a brick-red hotel with blond-wood furnishings. Cool Down: Sip a glass of limeade from old-timey purveyor Sugar Shak, a five-minute stroll from the beach.
Courtesy of Rosemary Beach Cottage Rental
