The Ultimate Guide to 30A Florida

When we lived up in Connecticut, we were obsessed with Cape Cod and it’s islands and visited the area multiple times a year.  When I found out we were moving to the South, my heart ached because I knew our summer times at Cape Cod were coming to an end.  But since we have moved to Atlanta, the Florida Panhandle, specifically the 30A, has become a new beach favorite and a replacement for our beloved Cape Cod.  Just a short 5 hour drive and we are at the world’s most beautiful beaches.  We visit the 30A quite a bit every year, that by request from so many of you, I put together the Ultimate Guide to 30A Florida–broken up by beaches of where to stay, eat and shop.   Before I give you a breakdown of the 30A, so many have asked what exactly is the 30A.  Well it is short beach highway, called 30A, located between Destin and Panama City.  It’s quaint and quiet with charming chic beach towns that line the crystal emerald blue waters and white sandy beaches.  The beach communities on the 30A have strict commercial and residential codes that prohibits high-rises and hotels to be built and construction to adhere to architectural details and codes.  This keeps the charm of towns and keeps the large hotels out!  The beach towns are very laid back and perfect for families.  It’s not a place for beach clubbing and nightlife which is found in Destin or Panama City.  So please stay away partygoers!  🙂  Check out The Ultimate Guide to 30A Florida!

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When is the best time to visit 30A Florida?  Well, anytime is good, of course!  But we LOVE love love going in September/October.  The ocean water is amazing at this time.  So calm and the perfect temperature.  I love to take out my paddle board in the morning, and you see the most amazing marine life because there is usually no waves in the water and the water is so clear you can see right down to the bottom.  Also, the beach towns are much quieter with less tourists.  This year, I was lucky enough to have my sister Christine and her family came out to visit us in Seaside, Florida, and they loved it so much they are scheduling another visit next year at the same time.

Okay below is the Ultimate Guide to 30A Florida broken up by beach towns.  As far as where to stay, here are some recommended websites.  Since there are not a lot of hotels on the 30A, we usually book a beach house.  In addition to Homeaway and Airbnb, here are some other websites we have used that manages many of the rental homes on the 30A.  You can search by beach town:

• 30A Blue Properties  
• Sunburst Vacation Rentals
• Cottage Rental Agency 

Seaside, Florida

Fun fact: The Truman Show was filmed here!

My favorite things to do in Seaside is stroll the charming beach entrances.  A great place to take pictures and watch the sunset.  Look up the town events to see what is happening in the Square like the Farmer’s Market and Movie Night.

Where to Eat:  Seaside Square is the place to be for good eats and yummy desserts

• The Great Southern Cafe–we eat here every time we visit.  Fresh fish and seafood with a southern flair.  We love the open-air casual seating.  It gets quite busy but worth the wait.
• The Food Trucks at the Square–lined with numerous little food trucks, we like to get lunch here and frozen treats.  I like to stop by and grab a smoothie in the morning and grilled cheese sandwich in the afternoon.  And we are so excited they added a shaved ice and bakery.
• Dawson Yogurt & Heavenly’s Shortcakes–two great choices for frozen yummy treats.  We love to bike over to the Square just to get a ice-cream from Dawson or a strawberry shortcake from Heavenly’s.

Where to Shop: head to Seaside Square to find outdoor shops and restaurants

• Perspicasity–a popular open-air clothing bazaar and a great place to find a beach cover up, flip flops or straw hat
• Sundog Books–I love strolling and look through their unique books, prints, artwork and postcards
• Modica Market–a gourmet grocery store with pre-made food, deli sandwiches and desserts.  A quirky store with a lot of random knick knacks.  I like to buy their spices.
• The Seaside Style–pickup a Seaside t-shirt for the family.  They also have the cutest children’s swimsuits.
• Deja Vu–trendy dresses and tops and hats.
• Duckies–a fun toy store that even attracts adults!  My kids love this place.

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Watercolor, Florida

Watercolor is located right next to Seaside Florida

My favorite thing to do in Watercolor is bike to the park then take the bike trails over to Western Lake and watch the sunset.  Biking around the charming neighborhoods to see the homes is also a favorite thing to do.

Where to stay:  

• Watercolor Inn— a luxury inn with great amenities and located right on the beach.

Where to Eat:

• Fish Out of Water–over looking the beach and located in the Watercolor Inn, chic cafe with southern style seafood dishes
• The Wine Bar–located right on the main drag, they have an extensive wine list but we like to go for the gourmet dishes.

Where to Shop:

• The Blue Giraffe–find local art and gifts at this gallery
• Fuss Boutique--casual, stylish clothes and shoes
• Beachfolly–need a bathing suit?  Head to Beachfolly!

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Alys Beach, Florida

Alys Beach is a fairly new luxury beach town with stark white homes with architectural details of angles and curves similar to the same architecture-style of Bermuda.  The town’s stunning bright white buildings is a dramatic beautiful contrast against the emerald blue ocean.  The town is fairly quiet since its mostly residential.  Furture plans are in the works to bring in more shops and restaurants.

Where to Eat

• George’s at Alys Beach   Locally sourced and organic, George’s is a great place to stop for lunch or an early dinner.
• Fonville Press–the local coffee shop that serves pastries and cafe-type food.  Also pick up a good book to read.
• Charlie’s Donuts–Get there early to grab homemade, freshly baked donuts
• Piper’s Kitchen–a great place to grab a quick bite as you head to the beach

Where to Shop

• Alys Shoppe–pick up a local t-shirt or a hat before you head to the beach

If you love architect, you can spend the day strolling through the neighborhoods admiring all the details.

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We love staying in Seagrove because beach houses are a little more cheaper and because the beaches are a little more flatter than Seaside…and that’s important if your husband and boys are into skim boarding!

Where to Eat

• The Perfect Pig–tasty yummy chic bistro that serves breakfast and lunch with a focus on ham and bacon
• Steamboat Grill–a good place to grab a burger or fried seafood
• Cowgirl Kitchen–great atmosphere.  Love the wraps and salads
• Angelina’s–if you are wanting Italian food or homemade pizza, Angelina’s is the place to head.
• The Hub at the 30A–definitely stop by The Hub which is lined with restaurants, shopping and entertainment

We like to go to Goatfeathers in Seagrove to pick up fresh seafood if we plan to do a low country boil, which we do frequently when we head to the beach.

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Where to Stay:

• The Pearl–chic and hip and with the cutest black and white striped awnings and most recognizable building in Rosemary
• Rosemary Beach Inn–quaint and small, but charming boutique hotel right in the heart of Rosemary
• Rosemary Cottage Rentals–the town has their own beach rental site for cottages

Where to Eat:

• Sugar Shak–get your sugar fix here with ice cream and candy
• Havana Beach Bar & Grill–located in The Pearl and has a Cuban and Spanish flare.  Head there for brunch!
• La Crema Tapas & Chocolate–inspired by the cafes of Barcelona with small and grand tapas.  Its the perfect spot for people watching right on Main Street
• Restaurant Paradis–country-chic seafood restaurant
• Amavida Coffee and Tea--if you like tea like I do this place has some fun brews. Also pick up a yummy pastry.

Where to Shop:

• Rosemary Beach Trading Co–cute gift shop with clothes to local finds. Definitely a place to stop.
• Patchouli’s–fun shop with a great selection of candles, makeup and skincare items.
• Ophelia–really cute swimwear with top of the line brands

Check out these previous beach posts on the 30A or search Florida

30A Florida

Alys Beach

Classy Blue

Embroidery Dress