Ultimate Guide to 30A – Florida’s Perfect Vacation Spot

The state of Florida is full of family friendly beach communities, but the 30A area may just be the best of them all! With crystal clear water and soft, white sand, the beaches of 30A are some of the most beautiful in the world.

Whether you enjoy relaxing on a beach lounger, jumping into waves with your boogie board, or building massive sand castles, the 30a coastline has you covered. And if amazing restaurants with live entertainment are on your must-have list, the 30A communities provide plenty of options for that too.

If you’ve never heard of Florida’s picturesque 30A, our guide below will provide all the information you need to start planning your trip. From the communities included in 30A to the entertainment districts and dining options, this post features the top tips for making the most of your vacation in the Florida 30a area.

What is 30A?

If you’ve heard someone refer to Florida’s 30A, you probably want to know what all the hype is about. The term 30A refers to the area of Florida on Scenic Highway 30A, which stretches across a portion of the panhandle and along the gulf coast of Florida.

If you drive along this scenic road, you’ll pass through several small beach towns. Visitors can also access the different communities via a paved pathway known as the Timpoochee Trail. 

This means that if you book a stay in one 30A community, you can fairly easily visit the other towns via bike, car, or even foot. Since the quaint communities each offer their own unique feel through their town squares, restaurants, shops, and neighborhoods, we highly recommend taking time to explore each one.

Where is 30a? 

As mentioned above, 30A sits in the Florida Panhandle along the Gulf of Mexico. The Scenic Highway 30A stretches almost all the way from the Destin area to Panama City Beach. If you’re wondering how to get to 30A, you’ll find a couple airport options. The Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport is probably your closest airport, depending on which of the 30A communities you plan to visit. 

This airport sits just outside of Panama City and is roughly a 30 minute drive to the 30A area. Additionally, the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport is located about an hour’s drive to 30A. 

One important thing to note here is that the traffic along Florida’s Gulf Coast can get quite busy, especially during peak seasons. So, it can take a while to drive only a few miles when it’s bumper to bumper traffic.

Where to Stay on 30A

No matter where you choose to stay on 30A, you should have easy access to the pristine beaches and numerous dining options. Some of the more popular communities you’ll find along 30A include include the following communities:

Santa Rosa Beach

Santa Rosa Beach sits on the western side of 30A near Sandestin. This beach community features lots of vacation beach rentals that are within an easy walk to the beach.

Guests looking for restaurants and activities in Santa Rosa Beach can visit Gulf Place Town Center. This area sits within walking distance of the Blue Mountain Beach community.

Gulf Place hosts seasonal events and offers live entertainment, so make sure you check out their calendar before your trip. Additionally, visitors staying in Santa Rosa Beach are just a short drive from entertainment districts in neighboring towns like Miramar Beach and Sandestin.

If you would like to find out more about this 30A community, we highly recommend checking out our post on Family Friendly Activities in Santa Rosa Beach.

Grayton Beach

Grayton Beach boasts one of the most beautiful and unique beaches in the state of Florida. This 30A community offers a laid back atmosphere and is especially perfect for families who love outdoor adventures like boating and fishing.

Visitors to Grayton Beach love to take time to explore one of the local state parks: Grayton Beach State Park. Additionally, the Shops at Grayton and the many local restaurants in the area provide plenty of options when you’re not enjoying the beach.

If you’re planning a trip to the Grayton Beach area, we highly recommend checking out The Red Bar, which features nightly live entertainment.

While you won’t find tall condominiums and hotels available in Grayton Beach, families can reserve a beach house to enjoy during their stay. My family and I like to use the VRBO website to find a great deal on vacation rentals in the area. 

On VRBO, you can narrow down your search results based on your preferred number of bedrooms and bathrooms. You can also filter results based on amenities and read reviews from previous renters.

Watercolor

Watercolor is one of my family’s favorite destinations on 30A. This lovely community features landscaped pathways and trails that connect each neighborhood.

Visitors can rent houses of all sizes in various neighborhoods throughout the small community. Each neighborhood is conveniently located to a small pool; although, you also have access to the elaborate Watercolor pools as well.

Camp Watercolor sits on the northern end of Watercolor and offers multiple pools, water slides, and a lazy river. Additionally, the Watercolor Beach Club features numerous pools and restaurants and is located right on the beach.

If you’re looking to experience pure luxury while on your vacation, we highly recommend checking out the Watercolor Inn. This oceanfront property offers incredible amenities that are perfect for families traveling with kids.

Plus, Watercolor sits just a short walk away from Seaside, which allows you to have easy access to a second 30A community. For a full list of activities in Watercolor, you can see our post on Fun Things to Do in Watercolor Florida here!

Seaside

The town of Seaside is a great spot on 30A for family vacations. The town square features a large amphitheater and lawn where you’ll often find live music, events, and nightly entertainment like family movies.

Seaside’s city center is also home to some amazing restaurants, including Bud and Alley’s and Great Southern Cafe. You’ll also find lots of different food truck style options in Seaside in what is referred to as Airstream Row. 

These allow families to grab food from the airstream and dine outside on picnic tables. We love the variety of the airstream options as they are able to meet the needs of the picky eaters in our family.

You can read more about this favorite spot of ours on 30A in our post on the Best Things to Do in Seaside. We highly recommend checking it out!

Seagrove Beach

Seagrove Beach sits just east of Seaside and is often a more budget friendly option for families looking to rent a vacation home. Depending on where your rental is located, you may be able to walk to popular restaurants like The Perfect Pig and Cafe Thirty-A. 

Some rentals are even within a mile of the Seaside town center as well. Furthermore, the 30A area is continuing to develop in the Seagrove Beach community with the addition of Greenway Station. This new shopping and dining district is conveniently located near The Lodge 30A.

Watersound

Like Seagrove Beach, the Watersound community is one of the coastal towns on 30A that is continuing to expand. Families visiting the area love to visit The Big Chill (formerly known as The Hub) to enjoy live entertainment and dining options.

If you opt to stay at the Watersound Inn, you can even gain access to the exclusive Watersound Beach Club. This oceanfront amenities center features elaborate pools and convenient restaurants. Plus, the Inn offers guest rooms complete with full kitchens, living rooms, and private balconies.

If you are open to staying just a little further from the beach, Camp Creek Inn is scheduled to open in August of 2023. This beautiful resort features multiple restaurants, tennis courts, golf course views, and a brand new amenities center.

Here, guests can enjoy a massive pool with a water slide and lazy river. It’s really the perfect place for kids!

Alys Beach

Alys Beach is a super unique community on 30A that features all white architecture that transports you to the Greek Isles. This impressive town also offers a community center with dining and shopping.

Rosemary Beach

Rosemary Beach is located on the eastern end of 30A near Inlet Beach and Panama City Beach. This quaint beach town is a popular spot for families, couples, and girls’ trips. 

Visitors to Rosemary Beach love the easy access to the town center, which features lots of dining and shopping options. This is also where you can find the popular Farmers’ Market and other seasonal events.

Best Hotels on 30A

If you’re visiting 30A with extended family or friends, you may be interested in renting a vacation home in the area. The available beach houses tend to offer full kitchens, washers and dryers, living space, and even pools.

My family and I like to use the VRBO website when renting 30A vacation homes as it allows you to filter down your search results to meet your needs. We also suggest reading the reviews available for additional information on the properties.

If you would rather book accommodations at a hotel or resort, 30A has several options. From luxurious resorts like the Watercolor Inn and The Pearl to more budget friendly options like The Lodge 30A and Camp Creek Inn, you should be able to find a spot that meets your needs.

For a full list of our favorite resorts on 30A, we highly recommend checking out our post on the Best Places to Stay on 30A! In that article, we go into detail on the top hotels with the best amenities in the area.

Things to Do on 30a 

Florida’s 30A is full of so many fun activities and entertainment options. Whether you’re interested in outdoor activities, water sports, golfing, shopping, or spa treatments, the communities along 30A offer many things to do.

Plus, families who are willing to venture out just a little can take advantage of additional activities in neighboring Destin and Panama City Beach. For a full list of our favorite 30A activities, check out our post on What to Do on 30A. In that article, we provide a detailed list of the fun spots and activities you won’t want to miss!

Where to Eat on 30a 

The communities in the Florida 30A area all offer plenty of dining opportunities for guests. Whether you’re looking for farm-to-table breakfast options or fine dining experiences with steak and seafood, 30A features numerous restaurants and cafes that you’ll love.

Many of the dining spots sit within the town centers, making it easy for you to stroll through the shops before enjoying a meal on a patio or indoors. Some of our favorite spots to eat on 30A include:

• Great Southern Cafe
• The Red Bar
• Stinky’s Fish Camp
• George’s at Alys Beach
• Crabby Steves Highpointe
• The Big Chill

Final Thoughts on 30A

Overall, the Florida 30A area is one of our favorite spots for a beach vacation in Florida. With its crystal clear water and white sand beaches, you really can’t beat the ocean views along the Emerald Coast.

We also highly appreciate the walkability of most of the communities on 30A. Once you arrive at your hotel or rental home, it’s easy to leave the car parked for the duration of your trip. 

This makes it super simple to access restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues without having to hassle with car seats. It also saves you from needing to navigate the sometimes crowded streets or fight for parking spots.

If you have never visited the communities along 30A, we can’t recommend it enough. You truly feel like you’re on vacation in a small piece of paradise!

What is your favorite 30A community in Florida?

Comment below to share with us!