Community Guide: 30A

It takes just one visit to 30A, and you’ll be hooked for a lifetime. Miles of sugar white sand, an endless sea of turquoise blue, and moderate temperatures bring travelers to explore the sixteen communities sprinkled along this coastal roadway. Although each town blends into the next, all have their own vibe, each with a unique story to tell. These quaint communities and the people who inhabit them embody a lifestyle grounded in nature, the arts, and locally sourced cuisine, defining the 30A lifestyle.

Many visitors have been coming for generations, staying in 30A homes and condos throughout the area. Others couldn’t resist grabbing a piece of their own 30A real estate, either as a primary residence or a secondary home to enjoy seasonally. Whether you prefer the rustic charm of Blue Mountain Beach, the New Urbanist town of Seaside, or a mix of the old and new in Inlet Beach, you’re bound to find a community that resonates with you. We’ll happily be your resource for where to eat, drink, play, and live on 30A! Let’s dive in.

Where is 30A?

Located in the Florida panhandle between Panama City and Destin, 30A is a 26-mile two-lane road along the Gulf of Mexico. Many people travel from nearby states, with more international travelers arriving each season. About a 5-hour drive from Atlanta and 7 hours from Nashville, the area is serviced by numerous carriers, including Delta, American, United, and Southwest, with several airports nearby.

The Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport is less than an hour from Dune Allen Beach on the western tip of 30A, while Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport is about 30 minutes from Inlet Beach on the eastern end. Pensacola International Airport is another option and will see you in your 30A home or condo in under two hours. Once here, getting around is easy in our walkable communities, but our favorite mode of transport is on bicycles and golf carts.

Outdoor Exploration

Time spent in 30A is about living an outdoor lifestyle, being in nature, and soaking up the sun. Every day presents a new adventure: paddleboard on coastal dune lakes, bike the Timpoochee Trail, snorkel over a dozen artificial reef sites, or scuba dive at the Underwater Museum of Art.

Culinary Delights

Along with many farmer’s markets in the area, the 30A corridor boasts everything from casual joints to funky food trucks to upscale dining. Here are just a few to tempt your taste buds:

FOOW – open for three squares a day and known for exceptional service, select from po’boys, fish sandwiches, crab cakes, and a delicious cocktail menu.
Trattoria Borago – robust Italian food with a contemporary flair, including pan-seared scallops, three meat bolognese, and penne with hot Italian sausage.
Chanticleer Eatery – local art, excellent food, and a great lunch spot featuring blackened Mahi sandwiches, seafood platters, and pulled pork plates.
Shunk Gulley Oyster Bar – a delicious and varied menu with cheddar jalapeno grilled oysters, crab bisque, and duck fat gulley fries, just a few must-tries.
The Perfect Pig – with three locations, be sure to find one and indulge during brunch on brisket sandwiches, blackened grouper tacos, and bottomless mimosas and bellinis.
George’s – specializing in casual, upscale dining featuring locally sourced produce and seafood with lobster quesadillas and seared scallops, a few of our favorites.

Craft Breweries

There’s nothing like chilling to some good music with a cold brew, and you can happily take your pick on 30A. Growler Garage is just steps from our beautiful beaches and offers over 40 different craft beers, so grab a cold one and head to the beach. Beach & Brew on 30A creates beers as distinct as the communities on 30A, showcasing signature ales, blondes, bourbon barrel stouts, and more.

You’ll find hefeweizen, red and brown ales, and IPAs served alongside pork belly BLTs and Nashville hot chicken at Grayton Beer Brewpub. Swing by for a beer flight, pick your favorite, and grab a canned crowler to go. Try the Ghost Crab Pilsna or a Divide and Conch’r, a double IPA and the biggest seller at The Idyll Hounds Brewing Company, a local joint with a cult following. If beer isn’t your thing, no worries. From rooftop bars to wine bars to tasting rooms, you’ll find the perfect spot to sample a delicious libation on 30A!

Beachside Boutiques

Shopping on 30A is a unique experience, ranging from coastal boutiques to outdoor plazas, with great finds in every direction. If you’re on the west end of 30A, check out the Shops of Grayton and Gulf Place, while Seaside offers beachfront shops and small boutiques in central 30A. Travel east and hit 30 Avenue for an enjoyable afternoon browsing the various merchants.

Art and Music

Local artists thrive on 30A, a creative hub with a vibrant art scene featured in many community shops. The 30A Art Walk is an excellent opportunity to meet the artists as select galleries offer extended hours on the first Friday of each month.

Music is a staple here, and you’ll find a host of live music, venues, and concerts showcasing a mix of country, rock, alternative, and jazz. Restaurants and bars also offer a rotating lineup of regulars and new artists, and Red Bar and Redd’s Fueling Station are a couple of standouts. Enjoy cold beer, a fully stocked bar, and Southern dishes that will guarantee a return visit.

Annual Happenings

Activities occur annually on and near 30A, with new festivals popping up each year. Why not plan your trip around one of our signature events?

Spring and Summer Events

The Seabreeze Jazz Festival attracts thousands of smooth jazz fans for a weekend of concerts, special events, after parties, and cruises. And wine lovers can rejoice as they sample, learn, and select from more than 600 wines at the South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival.

Digital Graffiti sees artistic digital presentations cast upon the white-walled community of Alys Beach, an event like no other; then, summer kicks off with Gulf Coast Jam, a renowned concert featuring over 23 headliners performing on the beach.

Fall and Winter Events

Listen to your favorite musical artists in over 30 venues scattered throughout the area at the 30A Songwriters Festival, or challenge yourself at the 30A Half Marathon and 5K, an eagerly anticipated event featuring a stunning out-and-back course in Seaside.

The 30A Wine Festival is a festive five days, featuring distillers, vintners, and delicious cuisine, while Crafted celebrates brewers, distillers, and mixologists sharing their craft all weekend long. Reference the calendar of events and festivals on 30A to stay in the know.

Weather on 30A

Blessed with a temperate climate, 30A sees an average high temperature of 76°F and an average low of 61°F. The environment affords outings of every kind no matter what time of year you come, with water temperatures pleasant most of the year, peaking near 88°F in July.

New Resident Resources

The communities of 30A welcome you during your transition into a second home owner, permanent resident, or rental owner. We hope the following resources help you acclimate while settling into your 30A home or condo!

Cultural Arts Alliance