We truly fell in love with this area in northern Florida that we want to return soon so we can explore more. The famous route 30A in Florida is a true coastal paradise that connects some of the most charming and picturesque communities on the Gulf Coast. On a road trip from Orlando to Destin, we made a 2-night stop in Santa Rosa Beach, and from there, we explored places like Rosemary Beach and Seaside, plus we were amazed by the pristine beaches and unique architecture of the region. Here I share our experience, recommendations and some tips to fully enjoy your visit by getting to know the 30A: The Coastal Route in Florida that you cannot miss.

— Puedes leer esto en español aquí —

We visited in August, although it is hurricane season (between June and November) the weather was perfect for us, it did not rain at any time and the are wasn’t crowded. Perhaps in the middle of June or July the scenery can change with the crowds and, obviously, higher prices in terms of accommodation because of high season. Something to keep in mind when planning your trip to the Florida Panhandle.

Excellent Accomodation

We were looking for a place to stay in the area before continuing to Destin, among many places we found there were several options for AirBnB (good option if you are going with a large group or family, it wasn’t a good option for the 2 of us) or high prices in some hotels. Until we found The Lodge 30A, strategically located between Rosemary Beach and Seaside which helped us a lot. And no, this is not an ad about the hotel. It was really very good: comfortable, pleasant and with an ideal location to explore the area.

Getting around from the hotel to the main areas was very easy. By car, Rosemary Beach and Seaside are less than 10 minutes away, but if you prefer to bike, as we saw many people in the area biking, it will take you about 25 minutes to get to Rosemary Beach and 15 minutes to Seaside. The area is perfect for those who enjoy cycling and relaxing long walks.

A few steps away, literally a few steps from the hotel, you’ll find Local Cantina Greenway Station, a Mexican restaurant where we enjoyed a delicious lunch after our arrival. We also found Canopy Road Cafe, an excellent option for breakfast. Although, the last one, it is a small chain that started in Tallahassee, we found it to be of very good quality and enjoyed having breakfast there both mornings. There are several options for restaurants, shops and even an ice cream shop.

Rosemary Beach

Our first stop was Rosemary Beach, a coastal community that looks like something out of a postcard. Its cobblestone streets, boutique shops and European-style architecture make it a must-see. At some areas, we felt we weren’t in Florida, maybe somewhere in Europe.

We arrived by car and after asking we were told that although the parking area is free, it is best not to spend more than 2 hours or so, and I imagine that changes perhaps depending on the season.

We spent the morning exploring its streets, browsing some shops and enjoying the beautiful scenery. Very easy to stroll around the area, obviously during the summer quite hot, but nothing that stops us from exploring.

Every step you take, you will most likely stop to take a photo or a reel for Instagram :). Beauty of place!

What Public Beach can I Visit?

Just as I mention in the video, on 30A you will find many beaches that are private. Normally close to residences since many of them have sun loungers and umbrellas for the inhabitants. Here I tell you some easy access and public beaches you can visit. (Click on the names to see the location on the map).

After visiting Rosemary Beach, we drove to Inlet Beach Regional Access, a public beach in Panama City Beach. About 5 minutes from Rosemary Beach. We loved the crystal clear water and white sand, and it was the perfect place to relax for a while. It has restrooms, showers, parking for cars and bicycles.

In the 30A area there are several public beach options that are just as beautiful. Grayton Beach State Park it is one of the most recommended, ideal for those looking for a less crowded space surrounded by nature. Being a state park, you will have to pay entrance but you have a large parking lot and services (restrooms/showers). Another option is Santa Clara Regional Beach Access, with services and parking lot.

Close to the hotel where we stayed: Eastern Lake Beach Access (parking only for bikes), One Seagrove Beach Access (parking only for bikes). Seacrest Drive Beach Access (parking only for bikes) I think the access you have to go down a lot of steps, so keep that in mind if you can’t walk far.

After Seaside is Blue Mountain Beach which has a small parking lot and services. Also Ed Walline Regional Beach Access with parking and services.

Seaside

Seaside is a colorful and quiet community that stole our hearts. This place is known for its relaxed atmosphere, unique architecture and, of course, being the setting for the movie The Truman Show.

We strolled around its charming streets, explored the food trucks located in classic Airstreams (which in my opinion make them much nicer and prettier – bucket list: having an airstream for road trips and camping 🙂) but we ate across the street where there are more outdoor restaurant, they all looked really good.

30A the coastal route

We tried a very good, smooth and refreshing local beer, it’s called 30A and I liked it so much that I bought 6-pack to bring to Orlando since they don’t sell it here.

For lunch, at the end of the afternoon after exploring, we went to Bud & Alley’s Pizza Bar + Trattoria which we thought was excellent and very good service. We ate outdoors, at the bar, a pizza and some fish fingers. Everything was very tasty.

Seaside has a special charm that makes it perfect for a relaxed stroll, discovering local shops and enjoying a peaceful atmosphere. Honestly, this town was the one we liked the most on 30A.

30A: La Ruta Costera
“Truman” House

Other Must-see on 30A

In addition to Rosemary Beach and Seaside, there are other places on 30A worth exploring. Very close, you can visit Alys Beach, which stands out for its minimalist and Mediterranean-inspired architecture. We didn’t stop there since, although there were some restaurants, we saw it as more ‘local’. If you stay there you could easily walk to the restaurants or beach. Not much space to park and explore like the other 2 towns.

30A the coastal route
Seaside

You can also make a stop at The Big Chill, a family entertainment venue with dining options, live music and other activities. We visited during the night and the day. We didn’t eat there but there were very good options. Take a stroll around the stores with interesting and beautiful things.

The Big Chill – stores area

For local food lovers, Old Florida Fish House is a great option to enjoy a good meal while enjoying the beautiful views. Right there, during the day you can try a coffee or another drink at Beachy Beach Coffee Co., or at the end of the afternoon a delicious wine or beer while enjoying the beautiful landscape. This beautiful little space is part of CoastSide 30A. (Click on the name to learn more about that place). This place was breathtaking! We visited 3 times because it was gorgeous, friendly, cozy and we truly loved the Beachy Beach Coffee Co., and we also enjoyed a beer by sunset at the bar next door. Next time we have to dine at Old Florida Fish House.

If you are planning to visit 30A, I recommend doing it in the low season. We went in August and we were lucky with the weather. There were fewer people than you might find between June and July, which allowed us to enjoy the area more peacefully. Another recommendation is to rent bicycles to explore the area. Many of the communities have paths dedicated to cyclists, making this a fun and relaxing way to get around. Lastly, remember to book your accommodation and any popular restaurants you plan to visit in advance, especially if you go during peak season.

30A: La Ruta Costera
Rosemary Beach

Also remember that hurricane season is between June and November. We were very lucky that not a drop of rain fell on us. We are used to it in Central Florida that it rains practically every afternoon during that season, so we really enjoyed the sun and the beautiful days that 30A gave us.

The few days exploring 30A were truly an unforgettable experience. From the elegance and tranquility of Rosemary Beach to the relaxed and colorful vibe of Seaside, every corner has something special to offer for everyone.

I hope this guide inspires you to visit 30A and enjoy all it has to offer. It is a destination that you cannot miss! Check out the video below (CC for subtitles in English):

Photos are from my other blog dedicated 100% to Florida.

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