By The Backseat View
Updated 2026
Why Visit 30A Florida
Florida’s Scenic Highway 30A is a dreamy stretch of Gulf Coast paradise where sugar-white sand meets pastel beach cottages, bike paths, and charming coastal town centers. Along this 24-mile corridor in South Walton, you’ll find 16 unique beach towns, each with its own personality from the iconic Seaside architecture to the European inspired elegance of Rosemary Beach. Whether you’re planning a weekend escape or a full 30A road trip, this guide breaks down every town along 30A so you can decide which one fits your perfect beach vibe.
Why 30A is So Special
Escape the tourist traps, massive condos, and chain hotels to visit the small, unique Florida panhandle beach towns between Destin and Panama City, known as 30A. The 20-mile stretch of adorable beach communities is all dog-friendly. I wanted vacation memories to hold a little magic, a sense of HOME for the boys, so 30A became a 20-year tradition. Wandering secret footpaths, having lemonade on the porch swing, and walking to dinner are what define a 30A vacation. The 30A Beach Towns Guide will explore the different towns, where to eat, best places to stay and the best things to do on 30A.
Discover the Magic of 30A
Let me say this, it’s really hard to “visit” 30A or their beaches unless you STAY in the town. The beaches are private, and parking is purposefully limited. People try to drive over for the day from Destin, and it’s rarely a good experience. They just end up circling and stressing about no parking and parking time limits. You can see 30A town in a 2-hour parking limit, but you can’t experience it.
Best things to do on 30A
Since the towns have so much in common, I made a few general lists of activities available in all towns.
30A Beaches
- The beach is clean, white, soft sand with clear, blue water.
- Most of the 30A beachfront is private.
- Beach access is usually gated.
- Public beach options are few, except in Grayton Beach.
- You will encounter no trespassing signs if you plan to walk off the crowded public beach area to spread out.
- Beachfront owners can make you leave their beach property.
- Bring Sandcastle building supplies.
- Flashlights are for Crab hunting at night.
- Smores on the beach with Light Me Up 30A Beach Bonfires are always a hit. Permits are only $50 if you want to plan it yourself.
- Picnics on the beach with Fresco picnic company create the best photos.
30A Bikes & Boards
- Bike rides are daily activities and rented for the week.
- Boogie boards are required for riding the waves.
- Paddleboard rentals
- Kayaking the lakes or the ocean is highly popular.
- Surfing lessons are offered in several towns. It’s rare to see people trying to surf.
Fishing 30A
- Fishing with a guide or from the beach is common.
- Guides are Trigger Happy Fishing, Captain Phil’s, Santa Rosa Charters, or Grayton Girl Fishing Charters.
More Things to do on 30A
- Shopping the unique cottages and stores in every town.
- Hiking in Point Washington State Park.
- Horse Rides with Western Pleasure Riding Stable.
- Tennis courts, pools, and a gym are in most towns.
Where to Eat on 30A
30A is home to infinite delicious restaurants.
The ICONIC Red Bar
The Red Bar is a hippy, 70s, red-light atmosphere that flies in the face of all the classic and elegant restaurants on 30A. A live jazz band provides a family-friendly party environment. The food is always delicious and affordable so Grayton Beach wins best restaurant on 30A.
Best Places to eat on 30A
- The Great Southern Cafe in Seaside for the best seafood and steak. I won’t leave 30A without a stop here.
- The Seagrove Village Market serves up the best sandwiches.
- Bud & Alley’s in Seaside is upscale dining perfection with ocean views.
- George’s at Alys Beach is upscale seafood.
- Gallion’s and Paradis in Rosemary for upscale dining.
- Cowgirl Kitchen has two locations and is affordable.
- Fish out of Water in WaterColor for Southern seafood with a view.
- The Donut Hole is a tradition.
- Snacks at Airstream Row, especially Frost Bites, in Seaside.
- Cuvee 30A and Shades at Inlet Beach for fine dining.
30A Travel Guides
Explore lodging options for a Budget Weekend on 30A.
Guide to the Best of Grayton Beach from the Underwater Museum of Art to the Hibiscus Cafe.
Y’all, I LOVE Seaside, so let’s start in the middle of 30A with my favorite town.
10 Iconic Experiences in Seaside is my post for all the Seaside traditions.
30A’s 16 Beach Towns
1. SEASIDE :Classic
Seaside, FL, delivers the dream of pastel cottages by the sea. The white picket fences and storybook cottages have been an actual movie set for the perfect life in The Truman Show. If you dream of bike rides to dinner on brick-paved streets and low-level beach crowds, this is your town.
Classy shopping, Sundog Books, and the best restaurants on 30-A complete the Seaside dream.
Whether you are strolling the streets to admire the different cottages, swinging at the playground, throwing the football, or playing tennis, the memories are perfection.
Unique Beach Pavilions
All nine streets have beach access and unique beach pavilions restricted to guests. With only a handful of cottages with ocean views, the only downside is a stroll to the beach. Y’all, I would drive hours to eat at The Great Southern, Bud & Alley’s, or the retro food trucks that line the street. It’s the simplicity of not driving for a week, just walking for ice cream and dinner.
A simple, classy community on a gorgeous beach makes it one of the best beach towns in America. Visiting the best is always expensive, averaging $4-8K a week. The largest cottage rental agency is the Homeowner’s Collection. You can visit by paying $20 to park on Smolian Circle.
2. Grayton Beach : Groovy
The runner-up is a small step behind and happens to be Seaside’s neighbor, Grayton Beach. Grayton Beach is a combination of a laid-back fishing cabin-style community and newer cottages.
The unofficial slogan of Grayton Beach is “nice dogs, strange people”.
Grayton is old Florida in a wild and relaxed atmosphere, where you can enjoy your time lying in a hammock.
The trees cover the town with an air of mystery and beauty. It’s a real community with a dreamy low-crowd-level beach. The beach is massive and locals can drive on it.
The Red Bar Restaurant is famous for its fabulous food and unique 70s atmosphere. Grayton shops are full of talented artist’s work.
Grayton runs a free beach tram from public parking to the public beach for visitors.
The bike trail connecting to Seaside takes you over lakes and by the dunes for a perfect ice-cream run.
The Grayton Beach State Park has miles of empty beaches. It’s the best state park in Florida to reset and recharge. The Guide to Grayton Beach has everything you need to plan a visit.
3. WaterColor : Community
WaterColor is Seaside’s neighbor and a beautiful community. The naturally colored homes are more prominent with longer walks or a drive to the beach.
WaterColor is the perfect place to live. The WaterColor community doesn’t have as much beach access, and the beach gets crowded during summer. The steep stairs down to the beach are also a workout. It’s a gorgeous community for biking with Western Lake for paddle boarding.
WaterColor Inn is beachfront at $600-$700 a night. Camp WaterColor has a waterslide and lazy river along with the usual resort pools, tennis courts and gym.
The best restaurant is Fish out of Water attached to the WaterColor Inn.
4. Alys Beach : resembles Greece
Alys Beach is the number one destination of many people visiting 30A. Alys beach is like visiting Bermuda or Greece. This is elegance, white architecture and manicured landscapes. The town is so white, the buildings could literally blind you.
The entire town is an Instagram photo.
It’s the Aspen of 30A, movie star level perfection.
The rentals start at $7K a week and climb, so I have not stayed here. The 20-acre nature preserve trail is perfect for biking.
George’s at Alys Beach is the most popular restaurant. Fonville Press Market Cafe is a beloved tradition.
5. Rosemary Beach : resembles Charleston
The homes are stunning, with dreamy boardwalks and footpaths. Rosemary reminds me of Charleston or St. Augustine. Most homes have paths winding through gardens to the town square. The big porches are inviting and the homes are much larger than Seaside.
The Hidden Lantern Bookstore and Gallery is always worth a stop for the latest book. La Crema Tapas & Chocolate is an inviting cafe with delicious deserts. Paradis and Gallion’s are the most popular restaurants.
The Pearl Hotel costs $500-$800 a night in the heart of downtown, perfection.
6. Seagrove Beach: Old FL
Seagrove Beach is a departure from the planned and perfect beach communities. While Seagrove Beach borders Seaside, the beach houses are older Florida. If you are looking for affordable and traditional condos for those oceanfront views, Seagrove is the answer.
The Seagrove Village Market Cafe is a family lunch tradition with 60 years of experience. They have the best shrimp Po’boy and fries in the area.
The Perfect Pig is always crowded, serving pork sandwiches and fresh grouper. Yellowfin Ocean Sports is your one-stop shop for bikes, kayaks, and paddleboards. Seagrove is a quiet community without any frills.
7. Blue Mountain Beach : Budget
Blue Mountain Beach was a sleepy beach town with a few low-rise condo units, making it perfect for years. It’s near the best restaurants and the bike trail connecting to Seaside, all while being budget-friendly.
Several condos and neighborhoods have been built without beach access. Now, the condos near the public beach feel crowded to me in summer. The Blue Mountain Villas condo rentals are still affordable ($3-$4K a week for oceanfront). However, the crowded public beach is beside you, so beware. Adagio and Bella Vita are farther from the public beach but more expensive.
The fabulous Blue Mtn. Beach Creamery, with lines for ice cream in the street, is the best on 30A.
8. Dune Allen Beach : Beach Homes
The Dune Allen Beach community has traditional beach house views with low beach crowds. The privacy of a home on the beach is the best part of this laid-back community. It’s a drive to dinner or the other beach towns. We loved our house on the beach but we missed the atmosphere of Seaside. Dune Allen is perfect for quick access to Destin.
9. Seacrest: Resorts
Seacrest is a quiet charm with various coastal homes, resorts, and condos. Brick-paved roads are lined with palm trees at the upscale resorts. The Lagoon pool and surrounding grassy areas are community gathering locations. Seacrest is an affordable alternative to nearby Rosemary and Alys Beach. The beach is crowded at resort access areas, so the oceanfront homes are the best options.
Deer Lake State Park and Camp Creek Lake provide outdoor escapes.
Panama City is only a 15 minute drive.
10. Inlet Beach : Off the path
Inlet Beach is a natural coastal paradise that’s a little off the beaten path. The old cottages are mix with the new modern homes. Inlet Beach is near Rosemary on the Panama City side of 30A.
Camp Helen State Park borders Inlet Beach and is home to Powell Lake, the largest coastal dune in Florida. Cobia Reef is off the shores of Inlet Beach with the best snorkeling.
Inlet Beach is still off the 30A town radar and feels like Old Florida.
11. Gulf Place : New part of 30A
Gulf Place is the newest of 30 A towns, with a Town Center full of boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. The little apartments are affordable, and the small town is cute. You have escaped the crowds of Destin and have a less crowded beach. Dune Allen is your neighbor and Destin is a 30 minute drive.
Honestly, it is not on the same map as the top 10 towns of 30A.
12. Seascape : Destin
In my opinion, this is Destin with high rise condos and loads of traffic.
13. Watersound : Gated
Watersound is a gated community, so I just ride on by.
14. Sandestin : Golf
Some people consider Sandestin to be part of 30A, but it’s Destin.
Sandestin offers affordable condos and golf courses.
While you can see 30A from there, you have yet to arrive.
15. Santa Rosa: Founder
Santa Rosa was founded in 1910 and was the beginning of South Walton. It has been named by Travel & Leisure as a Top 5 “Favorite Towns in America”.
Eden Gardens State Park has a beautiful 19th century home and gardens.
Honestly, Santa Rosa can include Watercolor, Grayton, and Seaside so it gets confusing. Santa Rosa refers to unincorporated beach community in South Walton. There’s not an exact town to visit, which leads to more confusion.
16. Miramar Beach : Destin
Miramar is next to Destin and has colorful shops and paddleboarding options. So, while it technically can be listed 30A, you are next door to high rise condos and traffic for dinner outings.
The Silver Sands Outlets are worth a couple of hours if it’s raining.
Teenagers & 30A
Teenagers may find 30A boring because it lacks go-karts, putt-putt, and arcades, which are popular for entertainment. However, the beach is perfect for families. For those who want to engage in these activities, Destin and Panama City are just a short drive away.
The Best of Destin Travel Guide unlocks less crowded beaches, best places to watch fireworks, and all the attractions. The Inside’s Guide to Panama City Florida provides Zoo World, dolphin shows, day trips and best restaurant options.
Until the salty air greets us again,
Whether you’re biking between beach towns, dining al fresco in a town square or watching the sun melt into the Gulf of Mexico, 30A feels like a place you’ll want to return to again and again. Each of the 16 beach towns offers its own version of coastal charm- and the beauty of 30A is that you don’t have to choose just one. Until the next sunset, this stretch of Florida shoreline will be waiting for you.
Thank you or reading my 30A’s 16 Beach Towns Guide.
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[…] Seaside, FL, is a timeless, classic way to enjoy a simple, beautiful vacation. Explore the 16 beach towns known as 30A in the Ultimate Guide Guide to 30A. […]