30A is a scenic 24 mile coastal highway and the surrounding beach neighborhoods in Northwest Florida’s Walton County. It sits along the Gulf of Mexico between the cities of Destin and Panama City Beach. Over time, “30A” has grown to represent both the road itself and the distinct lifestyle and vacation region it connects.
The corridor includes 16 unique beach towns like Seaside, Rosemary Beach, Alys Beach, and Grayton Beach. Many towns feature New Urbanist architecture, walkable town centers, and white picket fences. The area is famous for its sugar-white sand beaches, emerald-green water, and rare coastal dune lakes that exist in only a few places worldwide. Strict building height limits (usually 40 feet) prevent giant high-rise hotels. Instead, the area features local shops, beach cottages, and luxury vacation rentals (huge reason why I loved 30A)!
One of my favorite parts is that biking is the preferred method of travel. Paved trails like the Timpoochee Trail run alongside the highway, allowing visitors to cycle between the neighborhoods – so awesome and I loved seeing so many bikes at all hours of the day!
Day One | Arrival + Rooftop Welcome
- Fly into Destin Fort Worth (VSP) or Panama City Beach
- Rent car or ride-share to vacation house rental
- Pre-dinner drink at La Crema Tapas and Chocolate in Rosemary Beach
- Dinner at Pescado Seafood Grill & Rooftop Bar in Rosemary Beach for panoramic Gulf views, artisan cocktails, and an exclusive adults-only ambiance
Day Two | All About the Bikes (and Beaches)
- Bike + Explore along the Timpoochee Trail. Start at the beginning of the trail at Inlet Beach and here were some of the highlights:
- Main Street “Barnett Square” in Rosemary Beach
- Alys Beach to admire the stunning, Grecian-inspired architecture
- Stroll the high-end boutiques in Seaside and WaterColor
- Watersound, where we browsed the galleries and boutiques of the Big Chill (a shopping-dining-entertainment complex formerly known as the Hub).
- Afternoon Beach Relation at Walton Dunes Beach
- Dinner at Bud & Alley’s Waterfront Restaurant (Seaside) where we grabbed a drink at their iconic rooftop bar right at sunset and then enjoy fresh Gulf seafood
- Post-dinner relaxation in our vacation rental hot tub!
Day Three | Yoga, Kayak, and a Sunset Cruise
- Morning Activity | Seaside Yoga at the Seaside Pavilion behind SEASIDE® Pop-Up District on the Gulf.
- Afternoon activity | Kayak from 30A Beach Paddle Surf and explore water around Camp Helen State Park
- Sunset Sailboat Cruise (semi-private) with Paradise Adventures in Panama City Beach
- Dinner at Schooners in Panama City Beach
Day Four | 30A Drive Farewell
- We drove the entire length of 30A to soak it in before departing home. It is a gem!
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