Santa Rosa Beach (public access #3)

Santa Rosa beach features an abundance of art, food and outdoor fun. Named one of Travel + Leisure’s Top 5 Favorite Towns in America, Santa Rosa Beach is South Walton’s largest beach neighborhood and has something for everyone – Gulf Place Towne Center, a top-rated golf course, several public beach accesses, shops, restaurants, art galleries and more. 

With two regional beach accesses with parking, restrooms, seasonal lifeguards and rinse stations, Santa Rosa Beach’s Ed Walline Beach Access and Gulf View Heights Beach Access are treasures. Across from Ed Walline, Gulf Place Town Center features an artist colony, several popular restaurants and shops as well as an outdoor amphitheater for live music and events. Also in walking distance, Shunk Gulley restaurant and Growler Garage are hot spots for a drink and bite after a day at the beach. With the only Gulf-view holes, Santa Rosa Golf and Beach Club is a top pick among golfers. 

Insider Tip: The Gulf View Heights access is within walking distance to Draper Lake, one of the area’s 16 rare coastal dune lakes found only in South Walton and remote portions of Africa and Australia. In addition to the scenic beauty, kids can search for crabs and small fish that make the lake their home.

Before heading to the beach, know the surf conditions by taking note of the colored flag system.

Double red flags mean the water is closed for swimming due to powerful rip currents that can sweep even the strongest swimmers out to sea. Stay safe, check today’s conditions on our Beach Safety page.