A place where simple pleasures and beautiful scenery greet you with open arms. When arriving at our picturesque beach town, you will be welcomed by emerald green waters and sugar-sand beaches. Hence the name "Emerald Coast," and while our emerald green waters are quite stunning, our white sand beaches are unlike others! Those white grains of sand that make the unique "squeak" noise as you walk through to find your ideal spot are from the Appalachian Mountains. Our sand is made up of bits of quartz crystals that have been washed off the Appalachian Mountains for thousands of years. As it is carried through rivers, it eventually finds its way to the Gulf of Mexico. Ultimately finding its home here, making our beaches something truly magical.