Welcome to Grayton Beach Florida Vacation Rentals

Grayton Beach Vacation Rental Homes

Grayton Beach Attractions and Activities

History

When Army Major Charles T. Gray built his homestead in 1885, the federal government owned much of the land and few people had reason to settle here; the soil was too sandy to farm and there were better timberlands inland. The closest settlement was about five miles to the north at Point Washington on Choctawhatchee Bay. The town of Grayton Beach was founed in 1890 when Army Generals William Miller and William Wilson moved in and mapped out the village; they named their new community in honor of Gray.

At the beginning of the 20th century, Grayton Beach attempted to become a popular vacation retreat for families from the inland towns of Northwest Florida and Alabama, but reaching Grayton Beach from the north was not easy. There were no bridges over the southern parts of the Choctawhatchee River, and what roads existed were merely sand trails crossing miles of low-lying forests.

In the 1930s, the area became easier to reach, with the construction of Highway 98, the Highway 331 bridge, and the Intracoastal Waterway. In the 1940s, the Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative brought electricity to the village. In 1942, the U. S. Coast Guard established a 40-man station here, with the federal government renting many of the homes for barracks and offices.

In 1967, the state used its land east of the town to create the Grayton Beach State Recreation Area. In 1985, after years of lobbying by residents, Florida bought the village's beach front and the dunes and forest land to the west and north. When the state tried to trade away parts of the 1985 purchase for land at Topsail Hill, many Grayton Beach residents and neighbors howled in protest. The land swap fell through when the state and Topsail's owners could not come to terms.

The most recent hurricane to bring the Gulf of Mexico over dunes and into Grayton Beach was Opal in 1995. Western Lake overflowed, leaving water knee deep in many houses, and had residents washing loads of sand and mud out of their homes. The only original building in the village is a two-story home, known today as the Wash-A-Way, at the end of County Road 283. The building got its name when the hurricane of 1926 swept away its foundation.

Weather & Climate

The panhandle area of Florida experiences mild, comfortable winters and warm to hot, humid summers. The average summer temperatures reach well above 83 degrees Fahrenheit (above 29 Celsius). Winters are mild with temperatures averaging below 52 degrees Fahrenheit (below 11 Celsius). The average precipitation for the panhandle area is more than 60 inches per year. August and September are peak months of the hurricane season that lasts from June 1 through November 30.

The Northwest Florida Panhandle , in the region known as the "Emerald Coast," enjoys warm temperatures year round. The state of Florida, as a whole, is among the wettest states in the U.S., receiving at least 50 inches of rain annually, and the Panhandle region has the most rain of anyplace in the state. However, many of these showers and thunderstorms pass quickly and the sunshine prevails. Tropical winds from the south, along with the Gulf and abundant rain, create hot, humid conditions May through September. The rest of the year is much more comfortable, with mild days and cool nights, less humidity and less rain. Hurricane season officially lasts August through October, but most of these storms blow into the Atlantic and miss Florida entirely. In the case when one does reach shore, ample warning time is generally given for these storms.

Surrounding areas:

Grayton Beach Vacation Rentals

Grayton Beach is the oldest community along the 26 mile stretch of coastline between Destin and Panama City Beach known as the ?Beaches of South Walton.? This charming little town has old weathered homes scattered along sandy streets, a couple of good restaurants and a single-road ?downtown? area. Strict building restrictions in Grayton Beach ensure that it maintains its small town feel. Scattered throughout the area are private-home rentals, unique boutiques and art galleries. Further inland, the region is covered with thick pine and hardwood forests, and 14 lakes, making it an ideal spot for anglers. Grayton Beach State Park is one of the most scenic along the Gulf Coast. It?s composed of untouched Florida woodlands, salt marshes, rolling sand dunes, white sand and contrasting blue-green waters. The park offers swimming, fishing, snorkeling, hiking and camping. Worth visiting while in Grayton Beach is Eden Gardens State Park. This antebellum mansion sits amid an arcade of moss-draped live oaks. Furnishings in the mansion date back as far as the 17th century. The surrounding gardens are beautiful year-round, but are exceptional in March when the azaleas and dogwoods are in full bloom.

Grayton Beach Travel information

The closest airports in the area are the Panama City Bay County International airport (PFN) located about 29 miles southeast of Grayton Beach in Panama City, Florida, the Bob Sikes airport (CEW) located approximately 37 miles northwest of Grayton Beach in Valparaiso, Florida, the Pensacola Regional airport (PNS) located roughly 61 miles west of Grayton Beach in Pensacola, Florida, the Enterprise Municipal airport (EDN) located around 68 miles north of Grayton Beach in Enterprise, Alabama, the Andalusia Opp airport (79J) located about 69 miles north of Grayton Beach in Andalusia / Opp, Alabama, and finally the Brewton Municipal airport (12J) located approximately 73 miles northwest of Grayton Beach in Brewton, Alabama.

Grayton Beach Activities

Golf :Enjoy 126 challenging holes on top-rated courses. Fully stocked golf shops and driving ranges. In the Beaches of South Walton, even golf can be a water sport!

Tennis :A tennis lover's haven with all levels of play available. Challenge yourself on hard, rubico, and even the only Wimbledon-style grass courts in North Florida. Group or individual clinics and lessons available. More Info.

Fishing :Freshwater and saltwater fishing opportunities abound at the Beaches of SoWal. Gulf of Mexico; Choctawhatchee Bay; freshwater lakes, rivers and stocked ponds are plentiful.

Beaches :Enjoy 26 miles of sugar-white sands and aqua waters. Beaches of South Walton are home to Grayton Beach, designated as the Nation's Number One Beach and Topsail Hill State Park, identified as the most pristine and environmentally protected piece of coastal property in Florida. Some of the most awesome, protected beach parks in the nation. Read what ?Dr. Beach? has to say about Grayton Beach.

Biking :Both amateur and avid cyclists enjoy the picturesque Scenic 30A bike trail that winds among our area?s coastal dune lakes and villages. The State parks and Point Washington State Forest have great trails for off-road biking. There are many shops along Scenic 30A that rent bikes.

Water Sports :Sailing, boating, skiing, snorkeling, kayaking and more! Site of a National Water Ski Championship. Marina and water-craft rentals available.

Fitness Facilities :Leading fitness studios offering state-of-the-art equipment and instruction, full-service spas, nature trails, and jogging tracks.

Historical Sights :Eden State Gardens & The Wesley Mansion - Landscaped grounds and turn-of-the-century mansion filled with antiques. Located at historic Point Washington; gardens open daily and guided mansion tours available Thursday through Monday. The old towns of Santa Rosa Beach, Grayton Beach, and Point Washington are fun places for walking tours.

Shopping & Dining :Shopping and dining have become art forms in the Beaches of South Walton. Antiquing is a passion! Unique boutiques and outdoor markets to one of the southeast's largest designer outlets malls. On the dining menu, you'll find some of Florida's finest restaurants serving plenty of fare to please the palate - from fresh seafood, Cajun and Caribbean cuisine, to down-home southern cooking.

Grayton Beach Attractions

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