Nestled along the stunning Emerald Coast of Florida, Highway 30A offers a captivating blend of pristine beaches, charming communities, and breathtaking natural beauty. Stretching for 28.5 miles through the picturesque South Walton County, this scenic route is a paradise for those seeking a laid-back coastal getaway.
We were lucky enough to call this gorgeous part of the country home for ~10 months and we felt like every day was a vacation living there!
This guide has a little something for everyone- from the popular (for a reason!) spots along the coast to some of our favorite hidden gems. Keep reading if you're planning a trip to 30A!
In this 30A Guide
Where is 30A in Florida
Highway 30A winds its way along the Gulf of Mexico, connecting a string of charming coastal towns and communities, each with its own unique character and allure. This scenic route is situated in the northwest part of the Florida Panhandle, extending from Santa Rosa Beach in the west to Inlet Beach in the east. It meanders through the heart of South Walton County, renowned for its turquoise waters and sugar white sand.
Getting to 30A
Reaching Highway 30A is a straightforward journey, whether you're arriving by air or by car. Here are some options to consider:
By Air: The most convenient airport for most places on 30A will be Destin-Fort Walton Beach (VPS). It's a small airport with mostly regional flights, so depending on your destination of origin, you may not be able to snag a direct flight into this airport.
There are also larger airports in Panama City Beach, approximately 20-25 miles from different points along 30A, and Pensacola, approximately 40-45 miles from points on 30A. From the airport, you can rent a car, arrange a shuttle service, or use rideshare apps for convenient transportation to your chosen destination on 30A.
By Car: If you're embarking on a road trip, several highways connect to Highway 30A, making it easily accessible from various directions. If you're coming from the west, Interstate 10 is a common route that leads to the area. If you're traveling from the east, State Route 98 offers a scenic drive along the coastline. As you approach Highway 30A, watch for signs guiding you toward this picturesque route.
30A Towns
One of our favorite parts about 30A is that each town has a VERY different vibe- all unique and charming in their own ways. I'll break down the main towns going from East to West below.
Rosemary Beach
It's hard to pick favorites.... but this is probably ours ;) Stepping into Rosemary Beach feels like being transported to a quaint European village thanks to the stunning architecture of the town.
As with all of the towns along 30A, the heart of Rosemary Beach lies its pristine white-sand beaches. But beyond the beach, Rosemary Beach offers a plethora of enchanting attractions. Stroll down the cobblestone streets lined with pastel-hued cottages, charming boutiques, and inviting cafes that exude a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. The town center, often referred to as the "hub," is a gathering place featuring green spaces and the focal point of the town, the Pearl Hotel.
Exploring the town on foot or by bike is a delight, as pedestrian pathways lead you through charming streets. Every Sunday is the Rosemary Beach Farmer's Market along the main green space in town- and it's not to be missed!
Rosemary Beach Pros: Charming town with upscale accommodations, dining & shopping. Beautiful architecture
Rosemary Beach Cons: Very few public beach access points, so you need to be staying somewhere with access to one of the private beaches.
Where to Stay Rosemary Beach: The Pearl Hotel. It's 100% worth the splurge. We have stayed in the off-season & peak season and had marvelous experiences each time. The pool is stunning and the rooftop terrace offers one of the prettiest views in town.
Alys Beach
Alys Beach is small- but what it lacks in size it makes up for in beauty. While Rosemary Beach evokes European villages with its architecture, Alys Beach feels like a Mediterranean village straight out of Greece. The entire town is comprised of stunning white-washed buildings, cobblestone passageways, and sophisticated cabana-style umbrellas.
Taking a stroll or riding a bikes through Alys Beach is worth doing, for sure. It's worth noting that the VAST majority of Alys beach is privately owned homes, managed by strict HOA type organizations. To that end, you can enjoy the town's shopping and dining- but public beach access points don't really exist here.
Alys Beach Pros: Beautiful all-white town with charming streets to get lost in and good shopping/dining.
Alys Beach Cons: Smaller town with limited options.
Seaside
You know in the old days when you used to see kids running/biking/playing/just generally enjoying themselves without parents helicoptering around? Seaside may just be one of the last remaining places in America where you still find this... in the best way! Seaside is the perfect destination for families with kids of all ages.
With its pastel-colored cottages, white-sand beaches (of course), and vibrant town center, it has so much to offer! The heart of Seaside is its town square, a lively hub surrounded by quaint shops, art galleries, and an array of eateries to suit any taste (think everything from acai bowls to grilled cheese food trucks to fresh seafood.) Visitors can enjoy the vibrant energy of the Seaside Farmers Market and the outdoor amphitheater, home to outdoor concerts, movie nights, and more.
Seaside Pros: Larger, family-friendly town with a variety of activities for all ages.
Seaside Cons: Fewer public beach access points, tends to get very crowded in peak season.
Grayton Beach
I would describe Grayton Beach as the funky/hippie older brother of the 30A towns. The vibes here are very laid back, and the 'town' is really more of just a small trip of homes, shops, and restaurants near the beach.
Grayton beach is home to some iconic 30A spots- like Red Bar, Black Bear Coffee, and more. We love the charm of this smaller town and especially love popping into the boutique art galleries throughout.
Grayton Beach Pros: Laid back and hippie vibes, good food scene.
Grayton Beach Cons: Not as much to do for kids/young families.
Destin
So, Destin is not technically on 30A. It's further West than then entry to the scenic highway. I'm including it here because it tends to get grouped with the other 30A towns due to its proximity.
Destin is a great spot for young families, as it has a number of family-friendly hotels and activities. Young kids love the Harborwalk village with its games and nighttime fireworks and the plentiful water parks just blocks from the beach.
Destin Pros: Great for young families, more public beach access than other 30A towns.
Destin Cons: Not as upscale vibes as the rest of 30A- feels a bit 'tacky touristy' in some spots.
Best Things to Do In 30A
You really can't go wrong when it comes to exploring around 30A. Taking in all the natural beauty is so relaxing! Here are some of our favorites from 30A.
Beach, beach & more beach: The main attraction on 30A is the beach- and for good reason. The water is crystal clear, resembling blue Gatorade. The sandbanks go out 100+ yards from the beach, meaning the water is shallow and there are (usually) no waves. During the summer the water warms to a nice bath-like temperature! Bring some beach chairs and towels and relax for a day on the water.
Biking: One of our favorite weekend activities was always bike rides along the Timpoochee Trail! The trail travels through beachside communities and state forest lands between Dune Allen and Rosemary Beach. The views along the trail are gorgeous: the sea, marsh lakes, sandy dunes, and charming coastal neighborhoods.
Yoga: If you're at all into yoga, studio thirty a is a MUST on your trip. This gorgeous studio offers heated vinyasa flow classes 7 days a week and they are to die for. The instructors are approachable and kind and make you feel so valued whether you're just popping in or are a studio regular.
Farmer's Markets: After growing up and going to our old town farmers markets in Colorado, Hunter and I both LOVE a good farmer's market. There are regular farmer's markets in Seaside and Rosemary Beach. We especially love the cheese guy & the chips and guac from.
Fishing: There are plenty of options for fishing on 30A. If you prefer to fish off a dock, you can do so from a number of piers, including the massive Okaloosa Pier. Read more about different piers, the gear you'll need, pricing & more here. There are also a number of fishing charter boats that can take you out for deeper sea fishing. We did a charter on HarborWalk Charters. It was a ROUGH day on the seas but we did end the day with 14 beautiful snapper that kept us fed for a while ;)
Bonfires: You can have controlled bonfires in most of South Walton County! This is such a fun way to enjoy an evening on the beach. You can find free beach bonfires, like the one outside of the Royal Palms in Destin every Friday night- but you will need to pay for most. Many companies do fancy bonfires with options to include add-ons like picnics, etc. Here's a fun option, aptly named boujee bonfires.
Where to Eat in 30A
LOVED the food scene during our time in Florida. Yes, you can run into some tourist trap areas with nothing but fried food and drinks in plastic buckets... but there are also plenty of truly delicious options.
Breakfast/Brunch
Black Bear Bread Co. (multiple locations)
Soleil (Destin)
Great Southern Cafe (Seaside)
Raw & Juicy (Alys Beach)
Lunch
Bud & Alleys (Seaside)
George's (Alys Beach)
La Crema (Rosemary Beach)
Nanbu (Grayton Beach)
Camille's (Destin) *note- the downstairs is a cute cafe right across from the beach with casual lunch fair during the day. The upstairs is an indoor restaurant with amazing sushi!
Dinner
Pescado (Rosemary Beach)
Soleil (Destin)
Old Florida Fish House (Santa Rosa Beach)
Boshamps (Destin)
The Citizen (Alys Beach)
Bitterroot (Destin) *note- this place is not instagrammy- it's in a strip mall- but the food is TO DIE FOR- it's a hidden gem.
Drinks
Rooftop terrace at the Pearl (Rosemary Beach)
C Bar (Seaside)
The Beach Bar (Miramar Beach)
AJ's (Destin) note: the drinks are garbage- but the live music, dancing, and general vibes are wonderful. Don't come before 11 PM- lol.
Best Time to Visit 30A
It's tempting to say something like "there's no bad time to visit the beach" but in truth, there are definitely better times than others to visit 30A.
Since this section of Florida is located further north, it does get chilly in the winter. While 30A is a popular destination for Spring Break, I also think the weather in spring can be very hit or miss. Spring is the rainiest season and the ocean water has not yet warmed up.
That said, June, July & August you have a better chance of sunshine and warmer water. My personal favorite months are September & October- the weather is still gorgeous- but the summer crowds have dissipated so you can enjoy places without loads of people.
30A Packing List
Come prepared for your beach trip so you don't end up paying insanely marked-up prices at the tourist spots! Check out my 30A packing list on Amazon.
Is 30A Worth Visiting?
If it's not completely obvious by now, we LOVE 30A. The beaches and ocean water rival those in places like the Maldives & Bora Bora. It's a versatile destination that can be adjusted to suit anything from a romantic couples' retreat to a fun girl's trip to a family vacation with kids.
We look forward to returning someday for vacations and/or to plant some more permanent roots!