A Gem on the Emerald Coast

LOCATED 50 MILES west of Panama City, and 50 miles east of Pensacola, is a rare gem of a city stretched-out along the Emerald Coast of northwest Florida's Panhandle. Its name is Destin!

The name comes from a word of French origin meaning "destiny." In 1840 a young man named Leonard Destin arrived and settled in the area. It was a place where he found an abundant supply of fish in the waters near the Panhandle's East Pass.

Soon thereafter a small community began to develop, and Leonard was in business with a thriving commercial fishery. Years later after Leonard's death, the fishing enterprise led by his sons, continued to flourish. In 1904 the little village was named "Destin" in memory of Leonard. Interestingly, Destin was not incorporated as a city until 1985.

While Destin has been known for decades as the "World's Luckiest Fishing Village," the moniker continues to the present day!

Several generations of Leonard's descendants have stayed in the family's business, which in more recent years has changed from catching and selling fish to the operation of seafood restaurants.

In addition to fishing, a wide variety of leisure activities are available for all ages in Destin, and in other near-by coastal communities as well. Boating, golfing, bowling, shopping, sight-seeing, dining out, biking, swimming, surfing, paddle boarding, camping, watching movies, hearing concerts, attending live drama performances, cheering on high school and college sports teams, porching, visiting museums, going to the zoo, playing putt-putt, enjoying the sun on the beach, and visiting a park are all on the list - and there are other possibilities as well!

People are attracted to Destin throughout the year. It swells with visitors in the summer; it has numerous guests in the spring and fall; and, it is a haven for snowbirds and other winter residents.

Destin is one of the top leisure destinations in the U.S.  Many believe it's a real gem. So, it is easy for me to recommend it with 5 stars. My wife agrees! The proof is in the fact that we have made Destin our home for 10 wonderful winters, and found that, really, it's the place where we would rather be!
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-- Historical references were adapted from an article by Tracy Louthain in Be magazine; Issue No. 1; Published by Cornerstone Marketing and Advertising, and Newman-Dailey Resort Properties.