Blue Mountain Beach

Blue Mountain Beach

Blue Mountain Beach is one of the oldest beach communities along the Emerald Coast in Walton County, with an unusual story about the origin of its name.  There are no mountains on the Gulf Coast of Florida, much less blue ones. “Legend has it that the ‘blue’ in the name came from a blue haze seen at dawn on the hills and dunes, created by thick growths of blue Lupine.  And the word ‘mountain’ was added because the area is one of the highest geological points on the Gulf Coast of Florida.”1 (Pathway to Paradise on Florida’s Emerald Coast, by Robert O. Reynolds, 2019, pg 38), although that height is a mere 65 feet.

Early Days

Around 1910 three families homesteaded the area that later became Blue Mountain Beach.  Arthur Draper and his family lived at the northeast end of Draper Lake, which is how the  dune lake got its name.  Two other homesteaders, Herman Peterson and Ed Walline, built their homes between two more dune lakes, Big Redfish Lake and Alligator Lake.  Blue Mountain Beach’s original plat map was filed in 1948, and at that time development consisted of over 150 lots, being bordered by Big Redfish Lake to the north and east, and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, with Old Blue Mountain Road (CR 83) to the west.

Today

Helen Redd, owner of Redd’s Pub tucked behind Sally’s By The Sea Store located on 30A just west of Old Blue Mountain Beach Rd, loves the community of Blue Mountain Beach.  “It’s a nice, tight-knit community, and very laid-back.  We kind of take care of each other, and we think we’re the ‘cool’ ones.”

Katy Lingle, real estate Broker and founder of Save the Closet a 501(c)3, started after Hurricane Michael, says this: “Blue Mountain Beach is the idyllic blend of old Florida and new Florida.  From modest one story homes nestled in wooded communities, open-air dining, superb live music scene, stellar cuisine and clever shops, this beautiful beach community provides something for everyone.”

Blue Mountain Beach also has a resident artist – Justin Gaffrey, who was named 2005 South Walton Artist of the Year.  His specialty is ‘sculpting with paint’.  His gallery is a place of magic, filled with bold color and texture, a place you must see in person to fully appreciate.

Local Eats

There are also plenty of wonderful places to dine like Local Catch, Basmati’s for sushi, and, of course Redd’s Pub.  You’ll enjoy live music and excellent cuisine as you relax and let your cares leave you behind.  Red Fish Taco has wonderful fresh Gulf seafood and the Blue Mountain Creamery is the spot for the tastiest cool-down on a hot day, with their handmade ice cream in a dizzying array of flavors.

There’s also a public access at the base of Old Blue Mountain Road, where you can bike or walk and in a few short minutes be strolling across the sugar white sand, heading for the gently rolling surf where you can swim or look for shells, lay in the sun or build yourself a sandcastle.

Visiting Blue Mountain Beach for the first time? CLICK HERE to check out Visit South Walton’s First Timer’s Guide.

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