Miramar Beach: Vibrant, diverse and a perennial family favorite
For those craving a nostalgic Florida beach lifestyle without sacrificing the convenience and comforts of an urban center, Miramar Beach is a top choice. At the western end of South Walton, this diverse, fun-filled neighborhood boasts a spectacular lineup of activities both on and off the beach, a fabulous dining scene, and one of the largest outlet malls in the country.
Take a drive (or bike!) along Scenic Highway 98 past the picture-perfect beach and you’ll be smitten with the impeccably maintained waterfront homes set against the emerald-green water – keep an eye out for dolphins on the horizon. With its surf shops, beachfront homes, fabulous restaurants and abundant watersports, this is South Walton’s classic coastal enclave, with a luxurious overtone. Go from beach lounging to jet skiing to outlet shopping to fine dining, all in one perfect day. Dreamy? Yes, both for those who make their home here and visitors who return time and time again.
Why You’ll Love It
- Timeless, nostalgic beach town vibe
- Brand-name outlet shopping
- Ample outdoor recreation and watersports
- Wide variety of dining options
- Every modern convenience imaginable
Everyday Life
If you love spending time with family, shopping for hours, golfing, indulgent spa days and invigorating watersports, Miramar Beach is for you. This is South Walton meets Destin, resulting in a diverse, just-enough-of-everything atmosphere. Indulge in retail therapy for hours at premium outlet stores or the upscale, outdoor shopping center. Dine on whatever you’re in the mood for, from surf-and-turf to Italian. Bike, swim, surf, and play tennis. Residents of Miramar Beach are a friendly, active bunch who won’t be hemmed in by any one interest or activity. This is “you do you” at its best.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Miramar Beach is synonymous with premium outlet shopping, thanks to Silver Sands Premium Outlets. Browse and buy at more than 100 stores, including many name-brand designers such as Tory Burch, Polo, Nike and Banana Republic. Kiddos getting restless? Take a break at the restaurant, then let them run out the wiggles at the playground.
For even more shopping temptation, head to nearby Grand Boulevard, an upscale outdoor lifestyle and shopping center with national-brand stores such as Anthropolgie and Williams Sonoma. Later, pop in to Boulevard 10, South Walton’s only movie theater, where the Ovation Dining Club allows viewers to grab dinner while they’re watching.
Foodies find much to love in Miramar Beach, where an eclectic selection of restaurants echoes the diversity of the neighborhood. At the Surf Hut, meals are complemented by beautiful Gulf of Mexico views. Order fresh seafood, succulent oysters, or St. Louis-style BBQ, then play a round of cornhole on the restaurant’s private beach area while waiting for your food to arrive. At Vin’tij Food & Wine, sip something new from the extensive, carefully curated wine list. Choose from the modern American menu, featuring seasonally inspired seafood and pasta dishes, creative salads, vegan bowls and more – don’t miss the warm-griddled lemon pound cake.
Treat yourself to Emeril’s Coastal, the first of Emeril Legasse’s restaurants in Northwest Florida. Feel the chef’s connection to the sea as you savor specialties such as Gulf shrimp cocktail, Florida rock shrimp rolls, and oyster spaghetti. Emeril lives in Miramar Beach and can frequently pop up in the restaurant’s open kitchen. Cross your fingers!
Don’t stop there. Miramar Beach prides itself on its range of stellar dining options, from intimate, family-run Sushimoto, with their incredible sashimi and nigiri offerings, to Cantina Laredo, where a fresh, lime Casa Rita pairs perfectly with guacamole made right at your table. At local favorite Bijoux, sip specialty martinis alongside your prime steak or Gulf seafood – the menu is described as coastal cuisine with New Orleans flair.
Enjoy steaks, seafood, and white tablecloth service at Ocean Club at Tops’l Beach & Racquet Resort. Locals love to gather every Wednesday for live music, specialty cocktails, small plates, and delicious entrees. It’s a great way to meet your neighbors and make new friends!
Don’t overlook Fat Clemenza’s, so much more than just a local pizza joint – from pasta Bolognese with Fat’s specialty sauce to the owner’s favorite, seafood linguine, this is where to indulge and raise a glass of perfectly paired wine with family and friends. And because no brilliant beach day should ever end without a frozen sweet treat, be sure to treat yourself to a cone at Bruster’s, where the tempting flavors range from almond divinity to banana ice.
Things to Do
Lest you think dining is the only star of the Miramar Beach scene, keep in mind that the neighborhood’s enviable waterfront location begs residents to get outside and grab some vitamin D. Hit the championship clay courts at the award-winning Hidden Dunes Beach & Tennis Resort or bike along Scenic Gulf Drive for panoramic views.
Wander through art galleries, such as J.Leon Studio & Gallery and The Foster Gallery. Take in a live performance at the Emerald Coast Theatre Company. Or, come April, connect with your neighbors at Moon Crush, Miramar Beach’s “music vacation,” featuring great musicians, plenty of food and drink and a whole lot of positive energy. Also in April, South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival takes place, with more than 600 high-quality wines to taste over four days.
Go deep-sea fishing, take a romantic sunset dinner cruise or take the family snorkeling for the day. Improve your golf game at one of several local championship courses, created by some of the biggest names in course design, from Robert Trent Jones Jr. to Rees Jones. Burnt Pine Golf Club features breathtaking views of Choctawhatchee Bay and meanders through pine forests and wetlands. Join friends at The Links Course at Sandestin, designed by Tom Jackson and offering a links-style golf experience unrivaled on the Emerald Coast. From the Seascape Golf, Beach & Tennis Resort contoured fairways and immaculate greens to The nine-hole Golf Garden executive course, there are opportunities for every level of golfer.
Experience the glorious nature near Miramar Beach in South Walton, from the 26 miles of sugary soft sand with more than 50 bay and beach accesses, to four state parks, to 15,000-acre Point Washington State Forest. Hike through scrub oaks and pines and watch for local birds and wildlife. Explore 15 rare coastal dune lakes, each with their own special ecosystems.
On the weekend, stock up on fresh fruit, veggies, farm-fresh eggs, honey, crab cakes, baked goods, jams and even pet treats at the lively Grand Boulevard Farmers Market. Reminiscent of the classic American beach town, Miramar Beach suits any style.
Miramar Beach Real Estate & Homes for Sale
Miramar Beach is a choice spot for those looking to make their permanent residence feel more like a vacation. Whether your luxurious primary home, a secondary home or an investment property, Miramar Beach’s appeal remains the same: a place to relax, reconnect and call home in beautiful northwest Florida. Miramar Beach homes range from centrally located condos to lavish beachfront mansions. You’ll find 1,600-square-foot condos starting at $1.2 million all the way to luxurious 6,500-square-foot estates that can sell for up to $8.5 million.
