Guide to Grayton Beach, Florida

by The Backseat View

Welcome to low-key, laid-back beach vibes rolling off a white powder beach into the crystal clear water. The beach is huge with plenty of room to spread out and locals are allowed to drive on the beach. While the uncrowded beach is the biggest draw, Grayton is a charming fishing town with a mixture of new and old cottages.

The ancient trees shading the road for wandering bike rides make the town feel magical. After biking, rest and reconnect on the porch with lemonade and a book. Porch swings are made for friendly neighbor visits, and Grayton is all about community.

When dinner time rolls around, head to the funky, world famous, iconic, Red Bar for mouth watering choices. I’m not leaving 30A without my Red Bar meal. As time slows watching the colors streak across the sunset horizon, memories are made and life reset. I’m not sure if it’s the beach, the bike rides or the food that draws me year after year but Grayton is a lovely tradition. My Guide to Grayton Beach will help you plan the best escape.

Guide to Grayton Beach

• Grayton is located on 30A between Destin and Panama City in the Florida panhandle.
• It’s a 40 minute drive to escape the fast paced, busy beach life of Destin.
• Grayton is near Seaside so you can easily bike over in 10 minutes.
• While Seaside is my favorite town on 30A, Grayton is only an inch behind and less crowded.

Bikes

• A car is necessary to arrive at your cottage, then a bike or a golf cart will do.
• If bikes are not provided at your home, Seaside Transit Authority or Sweet Escape Rentals will deliver.
• The bike path that runs along this area of 30A is entirely safe, a few feet away from traffic, and wide enough for passing groups.
• Everyone bikes in the area.
• The bike trail connecting to Seaside is a fun ride for afternoon treats, shopping, and dinner at The Great Southern.
• Visiting Seaside is a requirement for my trips.

Home Rentals

• For home rentals, try Ocean Reef Vacation Rentals, itrip vacations, Graytlife Rentals, Grayton Coast Rentals, and VRBO.
• Average home rental properties are $400- $700 a night plus all the fees is $3k to $5K a week.
• The closer to the beach, the more expensive.
• Summer days book early so plan at least six months out.
• My favorite VRBO #303415 is Jake’s Place, 3BD, with a 4-minute walk to the beach, hot tub, and pool. The fenced-in backyard is perfect for dogs.

• Hibiscus Coffee and Guesthouse rents by the night with the beach at the end of the street. It’s my favorite place to stay for a quick weekend.
• While beach chairs and tents can be rented and dropped at your house, most people grab a chair at Publix or Walmart.

What to Pack

• Shibumi Shade and Neso beach tents are under 5 pounds.
• Cool Cabanas are my favorite beach tents but they weigh 14 pounds.
• Beach chairs
• Hat, sun cover-up, sunscreen
• Water & snacks
• beach towel

Grayton Beach State Park

• Grayton Beach State Park is an absolute gem with miles of trails through a coastal forest and a beautiful pristine beach.
• In my opinion, this is one of the most beautiful places in Florida.
• Kayaking Western Lake and fishing from the beach are fun options.
• I LOVE staying in the cabins, but reservations are tough to achieve.
• Reservations start a year out.
• The cabins are not ocean front and don’t have tv’s.
• Duplex style cabins average $110 a night sleeping four.
• The Cabins are a mile from the State Park entrance of the beach.
• Locals flock to the State Park on weekends so arrive before 11am for entrance.
• Wildlife roams here from deer to birds and bears.

Free Beach Tram

• The free Beach Tram runs every day from 8 am to 6 pm from the public parking lot in Grayton Beach for people visiting for the day.
• Parking is limited, so this is how you get to the beach for day-trippers.
• The public parking lot is across the street from the Hurricane Oyster Bar and Shops of Grayton.
• The shuttle runs every 15 minutes.

Ice Cream

• The best ice cream run is next door’s Blue Mountain Beach Creamery.
• They have Award winning flavors resulting in a long line.
• It doesn’t matter where we stay on 30A, you will see me in this line.
• Seaside has Dawson’s Yogurt and It’s Heavenly in the town square. Frost Bites is a funky food truck on the road. All three are delicious vacation traditions.

Let’s Play

• Beach Bonfire and s’mores reservations at Lightmeup30a.com. They offer different packages for bonfires and picnics. You can get your permit, wood, and supplies, but this is vacation. Sweet Escapes Rentals is another company providing bonfires.
• Bring your flashlights to see the crabs that come out at night.
• 30A Sea Life Discovery Center in Grayton Beach offers snorkeling with sea turtles, kayaking, and scavenger hunts.
• Point Washington State Forest Eastern Lake trails have several trails for early morning hikes and bike rides. Florida is hot and in over 20 trips, I have never been hiking on 30A.
• Adventure 30A offers paddle boarding tours, electric bike and kayak rentals.
• Camp Helen State Park has the one mile North Trail along Lake Powell.

Fishing

• Fish from the beach or book a charter with Trigger Happy Fishing, Captain Phil’s, Santa Rosa Charters, or Grayton Girl Fishing Charters.
• We have not used these charters, but I saw them taking people out all week. They launch the boat from the beach.
• Paddleboarding on Western Lake at Watercolor is very popular.

Shops

• The Shops of Grayton are in cottages and as fun and fiercely unique as their community.
• The Zoo Gallery is the awesome local art gallery.
• The Shard Shop and Rock, Paper, Scissors offer unique art experiences for the entire family. The Shard Shop is more for older kids and girls day. Rock, Paper, Scissors is great for smaller kids.

Underwater Museum of Art

• This is the first permanent underwater sculpture garden in the country.
• There are seven sculptures at 58 feet deep and a mile from shore.
• The sculptures will hopefully turn into living reefs.
• There are nine artificial reefs closer to shore.
• Dive 30A can take you snorkeling to the reefs or diving ($250) to the sculpture garden.
• The Underwater Museum has attracted attention from TIME Magazine and National Geographic, rating it a great place to visit.

Let’s Eat

The Red Bar

• The Red Bar with its funky charm and fantastic food is my favorite. It always feels like a family friendly party here.
• AJ’s for classic seafood.
• Chiringo for Spanish dishes across from the Red Bar. Honestly, if the Red Bar is full, people head over to option two.

• The Hibiscus Cafe for the best breakfast on the block.

• The Great Southern in Seaside is a requirement on my 30A vacations, so make reservations.
• Hurricane Oyster Bar and Grill
• Old Florida Fish House for postcard views, fresh seafood, and live entertainment.
• The beloved Donut Hole is a family tradition.
• Crackings for yummy breakfast and lunch.

Come to Grayton Beach, one of the best beaches in America. Make it a tradition because it’s funky, creative, magical and has amazing food. Thank you for reading my Guide to Grayton Beach vacations.