30A Florida – Embrace The Emerald Waters and Pristine White Sand Beaches
A small area hugging the beaches in Walton County, 30A Florida, is a collection of unique Floridian beach towns resting between the busier areas of Destin and Panama City. It is quite famous for its quaint upscale beach communities, world-class restaurants, groovy beach bars, and 25,000 acres of protected state forest and rare coastal dune lakes. What’s more, the 30A brand was born here—inspired by 30A Florida laid-back small-town lifestyle.
While you may not have heard of 30A until very recently, those who have been here once return year after year. Devoid of tourist traps, massive condo units, big hotels, or chains of some kind, 30A offers a one-of-a-kind experience to everyone. It takes a quieter approach to beach life with more families than college kids, more local shops, more shrimps, and stunning Emerald Coast views that will fill both your stomach and soul.
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Where is 30A, Florida?
An area along the coast, 30A, got its name from an actual road in South Walton County (County Road 30A). The road is nearly 20 miles long and runs along the Florida Panhandle coastline, and the area rests in the middle of this stretch between Destin and Panama City.
The closes airport is in Panama City—Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP), which is approximately 35 miles away from Seaside in the 30A area. Despite its small size, it’s a modern airport that allows people to conveniently travel in and out without a lot of hassle.
Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport is also another ideal option if you are planning to travel to 30A. There is also Pensacola International Airport further ahead. However, regardless of the airport you choose, you will have to hire a cab or rent a car to explore the area as public transportation options are limited.
30A Florida's Beach Communities
From east to west along the road 30A, you will find stunning communities like Santa Rosa Beach, Dune Allen Beach, Grayton Beach, Watercolor, Blue Mountain Beach, Seagrove Beach, Seaside, Seacrest Beach, WaterSound Beach, Rosemary Beach, Alys Beach, and Inlet Beach. A few regard Carillon Beach as a part of the 30A area, but it is technically located just off U.S. 98—an honorary member of 30A. Furthermore, some people also include Sandestin in the line-up. So, the communities included under the 30A area will vary depending on who you ask.
However, apart from a specific line-up of town names, all the communities have very strong personalities. People who wish to settle here sometimes struggle to choose the right neighborhood. You can often hear people say, “Rosemary Beach is by far the best part of 30A,” and “My family only goes to Watercolor.”
Where to Go in 30A?
30A might not be a big area, but there are many layers and nuances to it. To get the hang of this area’s vibrant soul, all you’ve got to do is look at the festivals here. In summer, you will find that something is happening here every other night. In fact, this is what makes summer the best time to visit 30A as this American beach town transforms into a wonderland.
The area starts every year right with the Songwriters Festival in early January. A multi-avenue, multi-night tour de force, it is held in different stages along 30A, allowing ample opportunities for visitors and residents to explore all the nooks and hidden locations the area has to offer. This festival offers something for everyone as songwriters from all across the world gather to play their tunes to an audience of music lovers.
Next up is the South Walton Food and Wine Festival. Held on the last weekend of April in Grand Boulevard, the renowned epicenter of food and shopping in South Walton, this gorgeous event features local purveyors of fine wines, foods, and liquors.
Other things to do and see in 30A include shopping, dining at some of the finest seafood restaurants, indulging in watersports at the beach, and the list goes on. Regardless of what you choose to do, 30A will offer you a meaningful experience. You don’t have to wait in your car, wait in traffic, or wait to enjoy the world surrounding you. Everything is more accessible in this quaint area.
