Best place to ride near SanDestin?

30A is great but I'd stick with the Road.  Too much traffic on the sidewalks/paths.  Plus the traffic speeds are relatively low for most of 30A.  You'll have fellow riders on the road too so you won't be the only off the non-local drivers.

I generally try to avoid 98.  Not the best roads and bad/fast drivers.

I agree about 98. SEveral deaths on 98 in the destin/San Destin/Walton area in past few years. Especially when sun is rising or setting. 30A much more bike friendly.

Yep..took a baby bird over to the wildlife refuge at Okaloosa Island before work this morning.  Someone with Texas plates decided that they needed to go to the Waffle House so badly that they couldn't do a UTurn and come back. They came across 2 lanes and cut me right off.  If a bike had been next to me that would have been it.  98 is nuts. People texting, looking for places to eat or hotels and many have probably had a few beers or margaritas.  I ride it occasionally with a group, but hate doing it. I do think there is safety in numbers as far as visibility goes.  The 30A path on an mtb is not bad at all. You can go slower and still get in a killer workout.  Big Daddy's bike shop  in Blue Mountain Beach is a good place to park.