30A Florida

30A is a scenic area and highway (County Road 30A) located in South Walton County, Florida, between Panama City and Destin. It is known for its stunning beach towns, such as Rosemary Beach and Seaside, and offers a unique experience of a slower, more laid-back beach lifestyle. The 24-mile strip is also known for its white-sand beaches, beautiful views of the Gulf, and energetic community.

30A has recently become a very sought-after vacation spot for families! We are so thankful that we were able to experience the beautiful strip of gorgeous beaches, shopping, restaurants, and architecture. There are so many small communities to explore and endless activities for all ages. The beaches had the most beautiful powdery white sand, and the water was clear and sparkling blue.

I want to share more about our experience visiting 30A, including where we stayed, dined, and explored, as well as some places I would recommend checking out if you plan on visiting.

Lodging:

After weeks of researching the 30A area, we decided to book an Airbnb in the Santa Rosa Beach community nestled in the Destin-Miramar Beach area. This location was perfect for our family, with it being tucked (15-minute drive) away from the more tourist-driven communities. Our Airbnb was an 11-minute walk from Blue Mountain Beach, several local restaurants, ice cream shops, and my favorite little coffee shop! Although we did not use it much during our trip, we did have access to a gym and pool within our gated Airbnb community. If you are interested in where we stayed, you can visit the listing here.

Exploring:

While planning out the details of our trip, we knew that we wanted to visit the more popular communities along 30A, such as Rosemary and Alys Beach. We also knew we wanted to try some of the most popular/raved about restaurants and cafes along the 30A strip.

Our first stop before exploring the area was renting a golf cart, let me tell you it was the BEST decision. It was so fun hopping into a golf cart with the family and jetting off to a coffee shop or the beach. We could quickly get in and out with the kids while enjoying the gorgeous weather everywhere we explored. There are several golf cart rentals along the coast to choose from, and depending on where you are staying, you may receive a discount on your rental.

Beaches: The first beach we explored was Blue Mountain Beach, which happened to be my favorite of the trip.

The sand was perfect, the water was crystal blue, and it was not crowded. It felt like we had our own little private beach access. We did visit right after spring break, so the traffic was not as bad as I’d imagined it would have been a few weeks prior.

We also visited Inlet Beach in the Rosemary community. This beach was just as beautiful, but a bit more crowded, likely due to it being a more high-traffic touristy area. No matter where you stay, I would recommend exploring as many beaches as you have time for down the coast.

Eats:

Mimmos 30A - This was more of an upscale local Italian dinner spot. We didn't dine in but ordered a few pizzas and sides for takeout. They offer a wood-fired style pizza, which is my favorite! I enjoyed their pizza, but it was more on the flimsy side for my liking, so I would ask them to leave it in a bit longer.

Coffee Shoppe at 30A - They had the most delicious homemade syrups and sauces, and they encouraged mixing any of their flavors to create your signature latte. The caramel maple latte was my favorite, and their matcha with sweet cream cold foam was a close second.

Johnny McTighes Irish Pub - This was an accidental food choice due to it being late and most of the other restaurants in our area being closed. We ended up loving their simple pub food the most. We tried their burger, homemade pretzels, onion rings, Po boy, chicken, and tots. Everything was cooked to perfection and super flavorful. I am so happy we stumbled upon this eatery.

Donut Hole - This was on our must-try list, and it did not disappoint. I had the most delicious red velvet donut I’ve ever tasted. It may have been the best donut I've ever tasted in general. The hostess encouraged us to come back to dine in because they are also known for their large portions and extensive menu.

Raw and Juicy - This was also on our must-try list! They make freshly pressed juices daily that are the perfect replenishment on a hot day. They also served small bites and even wellness products. I tried the Breakfast Blend juice (grapefruit, orange, and lemon juice) and it was amazing.

Blackbear Coffee - Another must-try spot on our list. We ran to make it in for a coffee, minutes before they closed. They were so kind and accommodating. I got a pretty basic oatmilk latte, and it was so delicious.

Taco Bar in Seaside - I tried their fish tacos with all of the fixings and their chips and guacamole. I enjoyed the flavor and texture of the tacos, but wasn’t a fan of the guacamole. It was a bit bland for me, so I’d opt for a salsa instead.
Pescado - This was a gorgeous seafood restaurant in the heart of Rosemary! When we went to dine, they were serving their brunch menu, which did not disappoint. I tried the cod sandwich, and it was by far the best fish sandwich I've ever had. I had it with a side Caesar, which perfectly complemented the sandwich. If anything, you have to visit for the incredible rooftop views of the ocean.

Ice Cream Shoppe 30A - This was located next door to my favorite coffee shop of the trip! They had a ton of fun ice cream flavors, and even had a candy shop inside as well. I went with a raspberry, lemon sorbet blend, and it was perfectly refreshing on a warm evening.

Sightseeing

This was truly what I was most excited for when planning our trip to 30A! The small beach communities are so captivating that it feels like you’ve been transported to somewhere outside of the US. Each area we visited felt different in its way, so each day felt like a brand new experience. Here is a short recap (because I could go on and on) of each beach community we visited!

Seaside Beach was a family fun community with tons of food trucks, live music, shops, and beach access!

Rosemary Beach was very quaint and quiet, with just a few restaurants and shops, beautiful buildings, and gorgeous homes! It felt like an old historic town.

Alys Beach was by far the most captivating. The entire community was pristine, with bright white Greek-inspired architecture and more health-centered dining and shops.

I hope that this was helpful and inspired you to consider visiting 30A, Florida! Please reach out with any questions or if you would like more details about anything shared here.