If you love a small-town feel, white sandy beaches, friendly people, and al fresco dining, 30A is your dream destination. My family and I used to travel to 30A every spring break when I was in school, driving 7 hours from Nashville to the Florida Panhandle’s Gulf Coast. Along Scenic Highway 30A sit a number of charming beach communities, such as Grayton Beach, Seaside, and Rosemary Beach. We would always stay in Seagrove, which is in the middle of 30A (see map).
I hadn’t been down to the area in a decade until my boyfriend H and I decided to visit for his birthday this past week. We spent 4 nights in 30A, and I was both stunned and delighted at the amount of growth in the area. It was so fun to explore the new and the old, and we loved it all, feeling like we did this trip right! I’m sharing our experience with you and highly recommending all the places we went.
Saturday Evening
We arrived on Saturday (H’s birthday!) late afternoon and checked into One Seagrove Place, a condominium complex with perfect gulf front views. We stayed here because I had done so with my family in the past, and you really can’t beat being right on the water. Each condo has a balcony that faces the gulf, and they provide two chairs and an umbrella (above) for beach lounging during your stay. That said, their cancellation policy is strict, so if you need more flexibility, look into renting a house on VRBO.
When we were settled, we headed into Aly’s Beach, a new community developing on 30A. Aly’s felt more upscale with its pristine, all-white architecture and quiet cobblestone streets.
We popped into NEAT, a tasting room and bottle shop with a carefully curated collection and seasonal, specialty cocktails. NEAT has inviting sidewalk tables, and the interior is intimate and sleek.
We went in, took a seat at the bar, and ordered a glass of wine and a cheese board, which tasted incredibly fresh. Frankly, it might be the best cheese board I’ve ever had, and the Cava I ordered paired perfectly.
After, we walked over to Caliza, where we had a dinner reservation. Here, you can drink and dine by a dreamy pool (the pool itself is exclusive to Aly’s residents). The restaurant is outdoors only, but is covered.
I had the peach frosé (yum!) and simply ordered a salad, being somewhat full from the cheese board. H got the Grilled Iberico Pork Coppa (see menu) and loved it. Our server even brought H a birthday dessert with a candle! It was a lovely, relaxing place to dine.
After we ate, we wandered around the pool area with its private cabanas, green plants, and separate lap pool. It was all so luxurious.
Sunday
We slept in after our late dinner, and in the morning, went for a walk on the beach. For lunch, we went back into Aly’s because I wanted to try Raw & Juicy, a newly opened spot for fresh juices, smoothies, and eats.
It did not disappoint. I had a delightful green smoothie and English muffin sandwich.
We loved the gorgeous patio outside the restaurant.
Afterwards, we spent the remainder of the afternoon soaking up the sun on our beautiful Seagrove Beach!
That evening, we went in the other direction of 30A to Watercolor, where we snagged a sidewalk table at The Wine Bar. Here, we had refreshing glasses of wine and another cheese board (be sure to order the Drunken Goat), followed by salads for dinner. Rosé in hand, I admired this attractive stretch of 30A, lined by palm trees that offered us welcome shade. The unhurried, casual atmosphere of The Wine Bar was just the ticket after a hot beach day.
On our drive back to Seagrove, we stopped in Seaside and walked down to the beach to watch the sunset. Sometimes I think there’s nothing quite as magical.
Monday
Monday’s weather was superb, so we started it out by walking on the beach, swimming in the ocean, and lounging in our provided chairs.
When we got hungry for lunch, we headed into the quaint community of Seaside, just next to Seagrove. Seaside has been a longtime favorite of mine for its pastel houses, white picket fences, and vibrant town center. There are numerous quick and easy spots to eat in Seaside, like the food trucks stationed along 30A and Modica Market.
We shopped around Cabana, Seaside’s open-air market with cute (but pricey) beachy clothing and accessories.
We also popped in The Seaside Style, a must if you visit 30A! I love this brand and that classic Seaside logo.
After exploring Seaside, we went back to Seagrove Beach to lollygag in the sun. Once the sun started going down, we changed out of our swimsuits, grabbed a cocktail, and headed back down again!
We enjoyed some pretty skies for a while, but soon, the sky became cloudy and dark with rain. We decided to order a pizza from Angelina’s Pizzeria and Pasta across the street and stay in! We were pleased to take a break from going out and have a night of just taking it easy in our condo.
Tuesday
Tuesday was glorious – clear skies, calm seas. We had a full beach day of swimming, reading, and lazing. We only took a break to eat lunch on our condo’s balcony, continuing to watch the beach below, and then went back down for more! (Note: I finished Tangerine. Intriguing throughout but a disappointing ending.)
At the end of our lengthy beach day, we freshened up and made our way to Rosemary Beach for a drink at The Pearl, a stunning luxury boutique hotel. From the moment we entered, we were greeted warmly and shown to the rooftop restaurant and bar, where I stood in awe of this view.
The architecture and black-and-white awnings are exquisite and eye-catching. The Pearl just says Old World European elegance.
I had the frosé and admired the pool below as well as the pops of bright blues and yellows around the hotel.
After our drinks, we went across the street and put our names in at La Crema, a tapas and chocolate shop. They do not take reservations, so while we waited for our table, we lingered on the lawn outside of The Pearl and beside the beachfront. We were captivated by Rosemary Beach, finding it so picturesque.
After watching the sunset, our table was ready at La Crema. We indulged in another cheese board (seemed to be a theme on this trip!) and a plate of soft warm chocolate chip cookies with a milk shooter on the side.
We departed the next morning, happy and fulfilled from a fun trip of exploring and relaxing! Even though I’d been to 30A many times before, it felt fresh.
Because we did so much, I’ve compiled a list for you, highlighting it all:
Have you been to 30A? Where are your favorite spots? Share any and all thoughts in the comments! Happy traveling!
