30A, Florida – A Paradise for Beach Lovers
A tourist’s paradise, 30A, Florida is well known for its exotic beaches. The destination makes a perfect spot for beach lover. Its clean beaches together with the feel of a small town will make you feel at home. As with most tourists, you will surely fall in love with this spellbinding place.
30A Communities make up the beauty of coastal home ownership along 30A. Every community offers something unique in style, design, landscaping, amenities, and sentiment. Looking for investment property in Santa Rosa Beach, second home, or retirement? You are at the right place!
Scenic Hwy 30A in Florida’s South Walton County is renowned as the most awe-inspiring 24 miles of scenic drives in the country. It begins just off Hwy 98 at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Santa Rosa Beach, following the coastline through Rosemary Beach ending again on Hwy 98. All through the drive, you will be able to soak in the views of the Gulf of Mexico’s turquoise ocean while you enjoy the variety of popular beach communities lining the highway. Those who buy a home on Hwy 30A will enjoy this enticing drive with every coming and going. Homes come in every color from neon to pastel, from castles to cottages to high-rise resorts.
Watercolor
If your idea of heaven is skimming along the beach on your bicycle, you will adore the extra-wide sidewalks and bike-friendly accommodations found in the little beach called Watercolor. This town specializes in the pristine beauty of natural greenery and lush foliage, having dedicated almost 500 acres to nature. That being said, it also offers some of the best restaurants and shopping to be had in the area. So get your exercise and fresh air before you dive into that sumptuous lunch or dinner, then pedal your way home guilt-free, and better for it.
Placed amid of Seaside and Grayton Beach State Park’s Western Lake, it is basically a resort town sited on the waterfront WaterColor Inn & Resort offers comfy ambience and best resort amenities. Here you will find great stores such as the Blue Giraffe offering off-sand entertainment. The area also boasts restaurants such as Fish Out of Water, The Wine Bar and more.
Watersound
This serene gated community with over 1.5 miles of white sandy beaches is perfectly positioned between coastal dune lakes and rolling dunes. WaterSound has a variety of housing including cozy cottages, condominiums with beautiful Gulf views to Nantucket style luxury homes. A great community for investors, second home owners and full time residents.
Rosemary Beach
This unincorporated, 105 acre master planned 30A community anchors the East end of 30a with exquisite architecture and European flare. Rosemary was founded in 1995 and has become one of the most sought after communities along 30a. The thriving town center has an abundance of restaurants, including Wild Olives, Edwards, Paradis, Cowgirl Kitchen, The Pearl and others, specialty shops, a bookstore, a surf shop and more. Real estate offerings include Luxury Homes, condominiums and a private residence club.
Established in 1995, Rosemary Beach homes are most noticeable for the European influence. Like New Orleans, it has a “French Quarter” with flowery balconies, secret passages through gardens, and lush greenery in every corner. Shop the boutiques and dine on the quaint streets with wide sidewalks. Step into the past with all the comforts of the present in the homes of Rosemary Beach.
If you would like to visit any of the communities along Highway 30A, let us take you on a tour to see the homes, condos, and scenery along one of Florida’s favorite beach roads.
Alys Beach
You will know when you enter this luxury, 158 acre resort town, as Hwy 30a is lined with towering Palms and the homes are stunning white stucco architecture. Because all of the brickpaver streets orient toward the Gulf, Most home sites offer some glimpse of the emerald Gulf waters. Alys’ architectural style gives 30A Communities the vibe of Bermuda, Guatemala and Antigua because of the courtyard style living and the brilliant white stucco. Home offerings available range from courtyard style homes, compound style homes, condominiums and individual custom homes.
Seaside
Seaside is next on the tour, with its cute coastal cottages and white picket fences. Travel and Leisure Magazine voted Seaside as one of the “Best Beaches on Earth”, and families will flourish in the “Mayberry” atmosphere. Seaside’s residents are proud of their little town and enjoy a strong community pride. Making your home in Seaside will bring you close friends and neighbors that make life worthwhile. Over 35 years old, Seaside has become 30a’s Central Hub and was the first master planned development in the area. All homes are traditional wood framed cottages with metal roofs, white picket fences, natural indigenous landscaping, painted in vibrant beach colors and each has a “Name”. The town is home to the largest area charter school, the infamous air stream trailer food trucks, Bud n Alleys and the Seaside rep.
Seagrove Beach
This laid back beach community is located conveniently in between the Seaside and Seacrest areas of Highway 30A. There is an abundance of oak tree lines streets featuring both small beach bungalows, to luxury beach homes. Enjoy some of 30A’s finest dining and some of the most unique shopping areas you will see. Seagrove Beach is also home to two coastal dune lakes and has access to one of the area’s incredible state parks.
Grayton Beach
Grayton Beach is known for its wonderful atmosphere offering a highly entertaining time. Here you will love the live music and décor at the Red Bar. Other attractions include boating, animal sightings, kayaking and paddle boarding. Those who wish to discover the old Florida charm must not miss out on this destination.
Other popular beaches are Alys Beach
- Rosemary Beach
- Seaside
- Seagrove
Each beach accompanies great and comfy charming accommodations, mouthwatering cuisines as well as diverse shopping opportunities. For families there are plenty of activities to indulge in. And of course, the scenic beauty here at 30A is matchless. You can relax by the seaside and watch the dancing waves for hours, reflections the shades of the changing skies and the surroundings.
Grayton Beach is one of the oldest of 30A communities along Scenic Highway 30A, it is filled with character. You will see funky beach cottages, dating back over 100 years, brand new Luxury homes and be able enjoy the only beach access where vehicles are allowed on the beach. Being that vehicles are allowed on the beach here, the local fishermen can take you on a deep sea fishing trip straight from the beach! Grayton Beach is also home to The Red Bar, the locals AND tourists favorite place for libations and live music, many people describe the area as “friendly” and “unique’.
Grayton Beach State Park and Western Lake offer water sports for all and a more relaxed feel than most towns. Homes here are mostly the older beach houses on streets that are lined with mature trees for shade and maybe a friendly game of checkers to brag about “The one that got away”. It is also a very dog-friendly beach, so your best friend can enjoy the sand and sea as well.
Blue Mountain Beach
Named by the Indians for the abundance of Blue Lupine that grows here, Blue Mountain Beach is also the highest elevated area along Scenic Highway 30A. This area has a little bit of everything: quaint beach cottages, large luxury homes, fantastic condos, great restaurants and shopping areas. Gulf Place, in the heart of Blue Mountain Beach, is home to great artists and live music. Walk across the street to Ed Walline Beach Access to enjoy the sugar sand beaches and emerald waters that this area is famous for.
Those who love the outdoors, biking and walking trails, tall trees and magical forests will find a happy home on Blue Mountain Beach. Point Washington State Forest gives this beach a wilder, back-to-nature feel. Homes here are large and exclusive, with even larger lots and prices. Privacy is the keyword here, perfect for celebrities and those who want to live away from it all. An address in this community will be set in Santa Rosa Beach.
Dune Allen Beach
The beach at Dune Allen is the last on Highway 30A, and offers the most pristine beach you will find. Homes here are large and impressive, centering around views of the Gulf Coast or the Santa Rosa Golf Course. Most are four and five-bedroom multi-storied contemporary homes with prices that start around $550,000 and go into the millions. Bird-watching, photography, and fishing are draws to this natural beach, with a few boutiques and restaurants to top off a wonderful day.
Santa Rosa Beach
Santa Rosa is the largest of the Hwy 30A beaches, touching the gulf along the highway and extending up to the Choctawhatchee Bay. A home in Santa Rosa Beach could be $150,000 inland or $6,000,000 along the beach or Bayfront. There are golf courses, state parks, historic areas, and modern shopping and dining complexes. Google named it the E-City of Florida in 2013. It is also the oldest of the beaches, founded in 1910, and credited as being the catalyst for the development of the other South Walton towns and communities. You will find condos, townhomes, beach houses, cottages, and mansions in Santa Rosa. It is a bustling commercial area as well, providing jobs and activities of every kind. If you prefer a larger town with never-ending entertainment possibilities, this is your beach town.
Food
Restaurants in 30 A provide a wide array of scrumptious treats to satisfy your individual preferences. Ranging from classic Southern fare to seafood dives, there are tons of choices to explore. Must visit restaurants include NEAT that is located in Alys Beach and Chiringo in Grayton Beach, offering lots of great food varieties to amplify your palate. Seaside’s Airstream Row is another must visit with amazing choices for you to explore and enjoy.
Things to do
While spending time on the beaches is the best thing you can do in 30 A, there are other things that are worth indulging in. lots of outdoor fun awaits you from rent bikes to surfing. There are great shopping opportunities that you can find here as well. There are bookstores with variety of great reads in addition to fashion clothing, toys and more.
Places to Stay
Mostly, 30 A offers accommodation choices that include condo rentals and homes to provide you complete comfort during your stay. The WaterColor Inn & Resort is one of the most popular places to stay that provides a luxury oceanfront view. Here you will also get a chance to benefit from shopping and restaurants. A number of other inns are also there for individuals on a short trip. However, if you intend to stay for long or if you have bigger groups accompanying you, rentals can be your best bet.