Beautiful blue lupine blooms are the perfect compliment to the sugar-white sand and turquoise ocean.

In Blue Mountain Beach, the natural beauty and tranquility go hand in hand. The blue lupine flowers that sway in the sea air and the fact that the region has South Walton’s highest elevation (a mountainous 65 feet) give this beach community its name. The 2005 Artist of the Year for South Walton, Justin Gaffrey, has an art exhibit that you may visit by renting a bike from Big Daddy’s Bike Shop. You may already see hints of his distinctive flair before you enter.

The Blue Mountain Creamery, where homemade ice cream is a local favorite, is a great place to cool off from the South Walton sun. The casual eatery Red Fish Taco, located in Redfish Village across from Highway 30A, welcomes you with live music, a fantastic happy hour, and delicious Gulf seafood. Your taste buds will be awakened by everything from the authentic street tacos and pig carnitas to the grilled avocado and blackened shrimp tacos.

Although the fresh Gulf seafood from South Walton may be its claim to fame, the Blue Mabel team is killing it when it comes to BBQ. A wide variety of foods are featured on the menu at this smokehouse, including wood-grilled jumbo prawns, smoked brisket dumplings, drunken BBQ lamb chops, and the well-known 24-hour smoked brisket sandwich. Cool yourself with a Blue Mountain Manhattan or one of their famous Negronis.

In the Irish bar next door, Blue Mountain’s Johnny McTighe’s, you can expect to find traditional dishes like fish and chips and corned beef and cabbage as well as lots of entertainment in the game room.