As we wrapped up another joy-filled family trip, I find myself in awe of Florida’s Emerald Coast – specifically, the charming stretch of beach towns along Route 30A. I’ll be honest: Northern Florida wasn’t on my travel bucket list until recently. It wasn’t until my husband stumbled upon some YouTube videos of Alabama’s beaches that we became curious about this area – and wow, am I glad we followed that nudge.
Tucked between Panama City Beach and Destin lies one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been: Scenic Highway 30A. Upscale, clean, relaxed, and bursting with charm, this coastal gem completely won us over. It’s busy yet peaceful, elegant yet down-to-earth, and full of things to do and see for families, couples, and anyone craving a laid-back getaway. The water is a complete dream. A bright turquoise that reminded me of Aruba. One local told us we caught it at just the right time – it had recently changed from darker to that magical blue-green hue (likely due to seasonal currents and the arrival of spring weather).
I should note that we booked this 30A family vacation super last minute – just three days before we left. We did no planning ahead of time, instead embracing the spontaneity, and it was 100% worth it. Sometimes the best adventures are the ones we don’t plan too far in advance. I had been craving the ocean deeply – the sun, salt air, and a break from routine. So on the Tuesday before my daughter’s spring break, I finally acted on that feeling. I booked a beach house in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, and we hit the road early Friday morning.
We even brought our dog for his first long-distance adventure! It was so last minute, we didn’t have much of a chance to make arrangements for him to stay home. Luckily, our Airbnb was dog-friendly, and much of the area was too. While the beaches require a local permit for pups, we saw plenty of dog water bowls on sidewalks outside of restaurants and shops, and felt very welcomed traveling with him.
Here is a summary of our 30A family vacation, including the places we stopped, ate, explored, and loved. We didn’t make it everywhere, as we only had 4 full days there. 30A is a place we already know we’ll return to. You really can’t go wrong anywhere along this stunning coastal highway, but here’s a look at our picks from this special springtime trip:
Where We Stayed
We found a charming Airbnb in a quaint area called Old Town Florida right on 30A in Santa Rosa Beach. It was the perfect size house for our family and, thankfully, pet-friendly – ideal for our spontaneous adventure with our dog in tow. It was a gated community with a pool just steps from the house — the kids loved it.
The Drive Down
We left home from upstate NY early Friday morning (between 5–6 a.m.) and made an overnight stop just outside of Knoxville, Tennessee in Turkey Creek. What a gem! The area felt clean, upscale, and safe with lots of restaurant options around. We grabbed dinner at Smoky Mountain Brewery – highly recommend the burger with potato salad! We stayed at Homewood Suites, which was spotless, super comfortable, and the staff were incredibly friendly!
The next morning we got back on the road by 10 a.m. after getting gas and a few more roadtrip snacks. We rolled into Santa Rosa Beach around 5:30 p.m. (Central time there!).
What Is 30A?
30A is a 24-mile scenic highway that hugs the coastline of the Florida panhandle between Destin and Panama City Beach. It’s dotted with some of the most charming and unique beach towns – each with its own distinct vibe. You’ll find boutique shops, beach access points, restaurants, farmers markets, bike rentals, and stunning pastel-colored homes all along a sidewalk-lined road where people are biking, rollerblading, jogging, or walking dogs.
Here’s a little snapshot of some of the towns along 30A:
- Grayton Beach: Laid-back charm meets natural beauty. This town is home to Grayton Beach State Park — one of the most beautiful and “unspoiled” stretches along 30A, and an absolute perfect beach day pick for any 30A family vacation! Think towering dunes, rare coastal dune lakes, and serene trails perfect for walking or biking.
- Blue Mountain Beach: There aren’t any actual mountains here, but it is the highest elevation on 30A. Blue Mountain Beach is quieter and more residential than some of its neighboring towns, making it perfect for a peaceful, low-key stay. Home of Blue Mountain Creamery – one of the best homemade ice cream spots on the coast.
- Seaside: A postcard-perfect beach town and arguably the most iconic along 30A, Seaside is famous for its pastel-colored cottages, white picket fences, and charming town square. It’s also where The Truman Show was filmed, and it definitely has that “can this even be real?!” feel! Stroll through the open-air market, grab food truck bites at Airstream Row, or catch a concert or movie night at the town amphitheater. It’s a must-visit for any 30A family vacation! Everything here is walkable and family-friendly, with a storybook feel that instantly makes you slow down and savor.
- WaterColor: Next door to Seaside, WaterColor is has an upscale, yet welcoming vibe. Walkways wind through natural landscapes, lit by unique lanterns with cutouts — by day they’re sculptural and eye-catching, and by night they cast soft, patterned light that gives the town a magical, almost storybook feel.
- Seagrove Beach: Seagrove Beach is where old Florida charm meets luxury estates. It has a mix of classic beach cottages and new luxury homes. We loved driving through and absorbing the sights of the dreamy oceanfront houses. Seagrove is also known for its many fine dining options.
- Alys Beach: Alys Beach looks like it is straight out of the Mediterranean — whitewashed buildings, streets lined with palm trees, and perfectly curated everything. The architecture is very Grecian, which sets it apart from anywhere else on 30A. Walk through the town and you’ll find gas-lit lanterns, serene courtyards, and upscale eateries. It’s definitely on the luxury end of the 30A spectrum.
- Rosemary Beach: Rosemary Beach feels like stepping into a quaint European village with its cobblestone streets, European-like architecture, and leafy green spaces. It’s very walkable, with boutique shops, delicious restaurants and cafes. The streets are lit with gas flame lanterns at night, adding to the magic.
Our 30A Family Vacation Highlights & Favorites
Here’s a day-by-day breakdown of some of our favorite experiences, eats, and moments during our 30A family vacation:
Saturday: Arrival & First Dinner
- Dinner: Local Catch Bar & Grill – relaxed, family-friendly, delicious. I had the mahi-mahi tacos with collard greens. Aaron got Caribbean shrimp tacos with cheddar grits. So good.
Sunday: Grayton Beach & Seaside Movie Night
- Morning: Coffee & a light breakfast at Coffee Shoppe at 30A
- Afternoon: Grayton Beach: We had luck finding parking at Grayton beach, so we chose to go here after trying a couple other beach access areas with no parking available. What we didn’t realize was that it’s a drive-on beach (only locals with permits are allowed to drive on though!). We would have loved to drive on it, but we didn’t have the local resident permit, so we had to walk out and find a small spot in between vehicles to lay our towels out. I would say this beach is definitely more for locals for that reason, but we still had fun and the water was insanely beautiful!
- Evening: Seaside Amphitheater to watch the movie Enchanted under the stars. We grabbed grilled cheese for the kids at Airstream Row, and an arugula prosciutto pizza from Bud & Alley’s Pizza Bar across the street. Magical night.
Monday: Beach Day, Ice Cream & The Big Chill
- Beach: Ed Walline Beach Access (across from Shunk Gully). Beautiful beach, but limited public access. It was quiet while we were there between 10am-12pm, but shortly after noon, it was quite crowded.
- Ice Cream: Blue Mountain Creamery – a cute and colorful ice cream landmark on 30A.
- Dinner: The Big Chill – a vibrant open-air food court. Lots of food options to choose from, with a fun relaxed vibe.
Tuesday: Shopping Day & Lunch
- Favorite shops:
- The 30A Store (I found their pop-up shop inside Amavida Coffee in Rosemary Beach)
- The Mercantile at Seaside (I got a fedora, but wanted so much more!)
- Live Well at the Big Chill (Cute women’s clothes and hats)
- Gigi’s Toy Store at Rosemary Beach (the kids’ fave)
- Duckies Shop of Fun at Seaside (another kids’ favorite!)
- Lunch: Cowgirl Kitchen in Rosemary Beach. Sat outdoors under an umbrella surrounded by gas lanterns. Fish sandwich was incredible.
Wednesday: Donut Hole + Grayton Beach State Park + The Great Southern Café
- Breakfast: Donut Hole (Original Location) – cozy, classic, excellent friendly service
- Beach: Grayton Beach State Park – my absolute favorite! Crystal clear water, white sand, sandbars for days. Felt like the Caribbean.
- Dinner: Great Southern Café in Seaside. Aaron and I went all in on the classic southern meal and both had the fried chicken sandwich with fried green tomato, bacon, and aioli. I had a side of delicious collard greens, while Aaron had the cheddar grits. The kids menu was great too, and it was all very reasonably priced! Probably the best meal of the trip!
Thursday: Drive Home + Savannah Stop
- Hit the road at 9 a.m.
- Made a stop in Pooler, Georgia (Drury Hotel – complimentary dinner and drinks!)
- Drove into downtown Savannah for an evening walk and ice cream treat on River Street.
Final Thoughts
For a trip that came together just days before we left, this was one for the books. Everything from the food, the beaches, the shops, to the dreamy blue water of the Gulf – it was all incredible, and I’m so grateful. I’m already dreaming of going back and exploring even more of what 30A has to offer. It might just be our new favorite vacation tradition.
If you’ve experience 30A, please do tell – what are your favorites? I’d love to know. ❤️
Shop the Post: Favorite Beach Goodies for Your 30A Vacation
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- Beach Bag: Becokan Beach Bag
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