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Destin

Destin History

   Destin is known as "The World's Luckiest Fishing Village," but there are plenty of other activities available in this popular Panhandle community.
   The city was named for Captain Leonard Destin, a Connecticut fisherman who settled in the area about 1845. Over the years, Destin grew from a small fishing village into a popular tourist destination. Although the city wasn't formally chartered until 1984, it has a long-standing role in the annual Spring Break revelry that hits the gulf coast each year.
   Destin sits at the tip of a peninsula that separates the Choctawhatchee Bay from the Gulf of Mexico. Both bodies of water provide excellent fishing conditions as well as a variety of water-based activities, from boating and sailing to diving and snorkeling.
   Because of the community's fishing fame, some of the best coastal seafood can be found in local restaurants. Destin is also known as a golfer's paradise, with more than a dozen year-round courses located nearby. Whether you're casting a line, hitting the links or just strolling along its white sandy beaches, Destin should be part of your Florida destiny.

Activities

   Destin offers 24 miles of snow-white beaches, which have been rated among the Top 10 in the nation. Dual beachfronts along the gulf and the Choctawhatchee Bay provide ample opportunities for swimming, beachcombing, sunbathing and picnicking.
   There are several beachfront parks in the city, including Beasley Park, Clement E. Taylor Park, Marler Memorial Park and Wayside Park. Just east of the city, Henderson Beach State Park is a 208-acre facility with more than 6,000 feet of scenic gulf shoreline. The park also offers 30 campsites with showers, picnic areas and fishing spots.
   Try your hand angling at "The World's Luckiest Fishing Village," or just try the catch of the day at a local seafood restaurant. More than 20 types of fish are found in the neighboring waters, including mackerel, bonito, cobia, grouper and billfish.
   Destin also boasts some of the finest year-round golf courses in the world. There are more than a dozen golf course in the area, including Emerald Bay Golf Club, Golf Garden of Destin, Indian Bayou Golf & Country Club, and Regatta Bay Golf & Country Club.
   Annual events include the Destin Seafood Festival, the Destin Fishing Rodeo, the Sandestin Triathlon and the Destin Festival of the Arts.

Destin Fast Facts

   Location: Destin is located along the Florida Panhandle between Pensacola and Panama City Beach.
  *Total area: 8.18 square miles (7.53 square miles land area; 0.65 square miles water area)
  *Population: 11,119
  *Housing units: 10,599
   Average annual rainfall: 69.20 inches
   Average temperatures: 71ºF in summer, 37ºF in winter
*Information provided by 2000 Census

Schools

   There are two public schools in Destin: Destin Elementary and Destin Middle School/Regatta Bay. Older students attend classes in neighboring communities.
   Okaloosa-Walton Community College and the University of West Florida at Fort Walton Beach are also located nearby.

Homes

   There are a large variety of beach homes and condos available in Destin. Homes are available for year-round occupancy or vacation rental.

Real Estate

   There are a variety of designs in Destin. These pictures give a few examples:

Maps of Destin

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