By Greg Schnoor

Santa Rosa County in Florida provides some of the most breathtaking getaway and adventures spots, plus fun activities for visitors of all ages. Here is just a sampling of the Florida tourist attractions in this county that you must add to your trip:

1. Navarre Beach

One of Floridas treasured barrier islands, Navarre Beach is located on Santa Rosa Island and has pristine beaches that are ranked among the top beaches in the country every year. Visitors often compare crossing Navarre Bridge to transcending paradise.

This Florida tourist attraction is surrounded by super clear emerald waters and the beaches feature clean, powdery white sand that squeak under your tours. The Gulf Islands National Seashore between Navarre Beach and Pensacola Beach is an eight-mile stretch of undeveloped shoreline and a magnet for nature lovers.

Navarre Beach offers visitors endless activities to choose from, including beach volleyball, tennis and biking. Water activities include the usual favorites such as surfing, boarding, wakeboarding, jet skiing, sailing, SCUBA diving and snorkeling. Also, the warm Gulf waters are a haven for a wide variety of fish, making the area one of the best for fishing.

2. Blackwater River State Forest

One of the largest forests in the state, this idyllic Florida tourist attraction is named for the Blackwater River, which begins in Alabama and flows through the forest into Blackwater Bay located near Milton in Santa Rosa County.

The forest is a favorite for eco lovers who marvel at the rivers shifting sand bottom streams among the few you will find in the country. The forest is also host to a longleaf pine/wiregrass ecosystem, which, when combine with the Conecuh National Forest in the north and Eglin Air Force Base in the south, make up the largest adjoining ecological community of this type in the world.

Visitors can camp in the forest, go horseback riding, canoe or kayak along the river, and take in the hundreds of different plant and animal species.

3. Golfing

Santa Rosa Countys golf courses are bona fide Florida tourist attractions and favorites with the pros. Theyll soon become your favorites too. Lush, emerald-colored greens overlook mesmerizing blue bays and lakes and provide year-round golf for players at all skill levels.

You can choose from over seven courses conveniently located within the area. Hidden Creek Golf Club in Navarre is an 18-hole championship golf club and has been rated the finest golf facility in Northwest Florida and given 4 stars by Golf Digest.

Tanglewood Golf and Country Club in Milton is an 18-hole regulation length public golf course with picturesque fairways and water features. Theyve teamed up with Stonebrook Golf Club in nearby Pace to provide great golfing at affordable prices.

Tiger Point Golf Club in Gulf Breeze offers golfers one of the most scenic layouts with amazing waterfront views and soaring southern pines. It boasts a recently redesigned Scottish-style East Course, and was voted best course overall in 2007 by the Pensacola News Journal for their Best of the Bay awards.

4. Shopping

No vacation is complete without indulging in a shopping spree or two. Navarre, Gulf Breeze, and Historic Milton in Santa Rosa County, as well as the surrounding area, is home to some of the most versatile shopping youll find anywhere. Theyre sure to have something to please any visitor.

Craft and antique hunters wont be disappointed with the selection available in the area, either. Find the perfect item for your home or souvenirs in any of the many antique and arts and crafts shops in Gulf Breeze, Pace, Milton or Navarre. For a one-stop antique hunt, Annais Antique Mall in Gulf Breeze is a 12,000 square foot area with over 88 antique dealers and is open seven days a week.

A major attraction is Cordova Mall in nearby Pensacola. It is the largest and most upscale shopping mall in the area. It features more than 125 specialty stores with every brand name you can think of. Shopaholics are sure to find favorite department and brand name stores, as well as enticing specialty stores.

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