Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort is more like a community than a resort.

Picture the type of weekend getaway where you not only relax, but end up feeling part of a something — an extended hometown of sorts.

That’s the type of atmosphere, specifically through the Village at Baytowne Wharf, you’ll find at Sandestin Resort. Before you think, “I really don’t like the beach,” let me say this: Sandestin Resort offers more than just sandy beaches and the ocean (although that is nice, too, at the resort).

At Sandestin, it’s activity overload. You can do everything from play golf, to ride bikes, visit nature trails, shop, eat, or enjoy the scenery. It literally is a one-stop shop for a getaway. Everything you need is on site.

It also offers a wide variety of places to stay with 30 neighborhoods that feature 1,700 condominiums, villas town homes and even hotels. There’s plenty to offer to fit your taste — and pocket book. My personal favorite is the village. The condos there offer everything you need in one location. And if you want to go to the beach, it’s a short shuttle or car ride (less than 3 minutes).

The drive from Meridian is about 4 1/2 hours (5 or more if you stop multiple times and depending on traffic) so you may want to leave early on Friday and make it a three-day weekend.

Once you arrive, here’s my suggestion: grab a few of the brochures and maps from your room or lobby and find one of the resort Starbucks locations. Sit down and take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the resort. Another suggestion: you may want to do a little bit of this (think of it as advanced reporting) before you arrive. There really is a lot to take in and it will be impossible to do it all on a short weekend. So make sure you have a small plan, not a detailed itenarary, before you get there.

One place you’ll likely frequent quite often is the 28-acre Village of Baytowne Wharf, which features 42 unique retails shops, restaurants and a small town park-like atmosphere. During the day, you can stroll around and take in the sights. You can play with the remote-controlled speed boats, eat some ice cream while you watch musicians play in the village’s square, feed the fish in the pond, walk on the dock and take in the inter-coastal waterway.

At night, the village lights up and becomes a hot-bed of nightlife fun, from live music to good food.

A place I highly recommend the next morning (probably because I ate there three times during my trip) is Another Broken Egg Cafe in the village. Don’t let the long lines or wait times discourage you. It’s truly worth the wait. Once you enter the eatery with the salmon-covered walls, two-blade fans, vines and french country style, you’ll know you’re somewhere unique.

But wait until you taste the food.

What we ate: my fiance had the Floridian — an egg omlette filled with cream cheese and topped with sauteed crab meat and jack cheese. Sound good? It’s even better (I took a few bites of hers). I opted for an open-faced biscuit topped with salmon, poached egg and hollandaile sauce with a side of country potatoes and a slice of orange. Delicious.

My favorite part: the country-style coffee mugs. It feels like you’re at home … well, if your home were located in a resort.

Once you’re fueled up with food, there’s plenty of stuff to do. I suggest looking at the village’s schedule of events to see what’s going on. They usually have activities for kids (including a life-size game of Candy Land) and adults. You can play a round of golf; there are four championship courses to choose from. The courses wind throughout the resort.

But aside from all of the activities and plush amenities, one thing stands out and makes Sandestin unique from other places: the community atmosphere. It’s like Mayberry meets the beach. The brick and stone walkways, sidewalks, shops and friendly staff instantly make you feel at home. And the constant line-up of events and activities keep the place buzzing with life.

Sandestin Resort is a place you certainly want to see: and this summer is the perfect time. There’s more than just sand and water at this beach resort.