CITY GUIDE
Things to do in 30A, FL
Your guide to Scenic Highway 30A—Florida’s beautiful, best-kept secret.
Set your vacation sights on picturesque 30A, the Florida panhandle’s 18-mile stretch of coastline named after its connecting highway. From Inlet Beach to Miramar Beach, 30A links 16 beaches and some of South Walton County’s best stops in a tight-knit collection of all the Emerald Coast has to offer. Find a new adventure in each beach town, from admiring Bermudan architecture in Alys Beach to cooling off with a dish of homemade ice cream at Blue Mountain Beach Creamery. Embrace some well-deserved rest and relaxation along the Gulf of Mexico.
We asked our team at Vacasa for their top things to do in 30A, Florida. Here are our recommendations for where to eat and stay, what to see, budget-friendly activities, and even fun things to do with kids. Book your stay, pack your bags, and get ready to relax—we’ve got your 30A travel plans on lock.
Whether you’re off to collect seashells first thing in the morning or easing your way out of bed, The Donut Hole in Rosemary Beach promises hot coffee and an extensive breakfast menu. Start your morning off sweet with a few classic donuts or a savory Gulf Coast crabmeat eggs benedict. After spending an afternoon by the water, relish in the shade and a refreshing drink at Pescado Seafood Grill & Rooftop Bar. Watch the waves come in, mojito in hand, from the rooftop bar and enjoy the ocean breeze. When it comes time for dinner, head over to Dat Cajun Place Cafe in Panama City Beach to spice up the evening with po’ boys, oysters, alligator bites, and live music.
While the 30A area is known for its sublime shoreline, there’s plenty to enjoy in every beach town. The locally-famous Food Truck Row (also known as Airstream Row) is a plentiful (and endlessly Instagrammable) place to chow down with fried foods and sweet treats ranging from barbecue, crepes, grilled cheese, shaved ice, and more. Needing some retail therapy? Grayton Beach and Rosemary Beach stand out for their mix of boutiques and surf shops. Pick up a beach read at Santa Rosa Beach’s Sundog Books or head to Inlet Beach’s 30Avenue for chic home decor. For more fun, snorkel around 30A’s artificial reefs along Grayton Beach State Park or Camp Helen State Park for a flash of colorful fish and adventure on the water.
30A is chock full of fun things to do with kids while on your beach vacation. Between sandcastles and ice cream cones, be sure to check out 30A Sea Life Discovery Center at Grayton Beach for interactive educational programs and the chance to snorkel with sea turtles. Kick up the excitement with a trip to Baytown Wharf’s Adventure Land playground, where your little ones can also navigate the climbing wall, take a ride on the carousel, or hit the arcade.
With so much to see across 18 miles of coastline, there’s no need to break the bank for fun. Stay on budget with a stop along 30A’s many state parks for hiking, birdwatching, boating, and picnics. Rosemary Beach is the perfect setting for a stroll as you sightsee its quaint downtown area and cobblestone streets. If you’re up for a more active adventure, try paddleboarding at Coastal Dune Lake or bike the Timpoochee Trail—an 18.5 mile trail that winds through the area’s beach dunes, forest, marsh, and charming coastal neighborhoods.
Book your stay and soak up the sun with 30A vacation rentals. Whether it’s an oceanfront condo or a family house with a little more privacy, there’s no shortage of perfect stays to admire scenic 30A. Search by amenities like oceanfront, direct beach access, or pools and hot tubs to find the perfect home base for your beach retreat.
