About Us

Since the spring of 2002, visitors to Northwest Florida have read Emerald Coast Guide to make the most of their vacation, retirement and lifestyle. Eight issues have been published, and one million copies have been read by travelers looking for the best source for local information, attractions, restaurants, shopping, accommodations and real estate.

Emerald Coast Guide is truly a tourist guide with useful information and local photographs reflecting the area’s beauty and necessary amenities. Readers are never strangers to the area, and the maps and information prove valuable while making the most of limited vacation time.

Our readers know of the major events in town, where the boat launches are, how to get a fishing license, what to do on a rainy day, and how to pack and prepare seafood. We also include other important tourist information including helpful phone numbers, ATM locations, a trolley schedule, marinas and boat launches, public beach accesses and welcome center locations.

The Guide also advises visitors through advertisements, and our customers greatly benefit from our readers visiting their restaurants, attractions and shops.

The local photography in the magazine allows the reader to take a copy home and show friends some of the sites they may have seen during their visit.

Emerald Coast Guide is current with the changes taking place in Panama City Beach. The area consisted mostly of Mom and Pop hotels and local shops with regional appeal when we first published four years ago. Since then, Panama City Beach has transformed itself into a community with new resort condominiums and attractions with more of a national and possibly international appeal.

You will not have any trouble finding a Guide when you visit the area. The magazine can be found in over 200 locations in South Walton County, Panama City and Panama City Beach.

Should your travels take you west to Destin and Fort Walton Beach, be sure to pick up the Emerald Coast Guide for that area as well.

We are also always open to suggestions about how to make the magazine better for our visitors. We strive to make the magazine the most colorful and informative tourist information guide available.

Thank you.

Donald Russell
Southward Direction, Inc.
Ph: 850 585 2354
drussell@southwarddirection.com