30A Road Trip
If you’re visiting the Florida Panhandle (and you should be!) then Scenic Highway 30A is the road you need to travel. Why? Because, from the emerald waters and pristine white sands of Sandestin to the laid back attitude of Seagrove, and the 25,000 acres of protected state forest and rare coastal dune lakes in between, 30A will take you on the greatest road trip that the Panhandle has to offer.
The Road to Playtime
30A is so iconic that it even has its own lifestyle brand, offering apparel, gear, e-bikes, and more. They even support the ecosystem of the Florida coast with clothing made from recycled water bottles! Visit this brand’s website to discover local events, accommodations, and even beach cams to further entice you to visit this area.
30a.com
Stop and Stay a While at Topsail Hill Preserve
Topsail Hill is named for its dunes, which rise like a ship's sails over soft sand beaches and the emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Those same white quartz dunes are responsible for a rare coastal ecosystem — freshwater dune lakes — which teem with aquatic wildlife. Walkers will pass through old-growth pine forests, sandy scrubland, dunes and wetlands, where they may see some of the 13 imperiled species that find refuge here, like the Choctawhatchee beach mouse and otherworldly-looking pitcher plants.
If you’re driving an RV, there is a great campground onsite with hookups, a pool, and pet-friendly spaces. You can also pitch a tent or rent a cabin here. But perhaps the most choice option is to partake in their clamping experience: Fancy Camps is a luxury camping company based out of beautiful Santa Rosa Beach and working primarily with Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. Fancy Camps gives guests a taste of old-fashioned camping with a modern luxurious twist. Since 2015, Fancy Camps has had a unique partnership with Florida State Parks to provided glamping services to guests and provide a middle ground for visitors who are not looking for the cabin experience but are not quite ready to rough it. Fancy Camps gives these individuals the opportunity to experience Real Florida without leaving all of the comforts of home.
fancycamps.com
Escape to a Charming Beach Village in Dune Allen
If you dream of a pure beach getaway, Dune Allen may be just what springs to mind. With sprawling beaches, five coastal dune lakes – Allen, Campbell, Morris, Oyster (shaped like an oyster shell) and Stallworth – and miles of trails, Dune Allen is a nature lover’s paradise without many commercial businesses.
Spend your days soaking up sunshine and taking nightly walks on the beach. Outfit yourself at Stinky’s Bait Shack to try your luck fishing from the beach or in a coastal dune lake (you’ll need a license for both unless you hire a guide that provides them). For lunch or dinner in Dune Allen, head over to Stinky’s Fish Camp, which was named one of the Top 10 places to eat by USA Today. Local Chef Jim Richard’s restaurant is a showcase of fresh seafood and Gulf-to-table cuisine. Stinky’s Stew is a local favorite. Just a short jump up the road is Elmo’s Grill, a low-key seafood restaurant serving up everything from crab legs to fresh fish for dinner nightly. If you like to stay active, the Timpoochee Trail runs right through Dune Allen, so you can hit the trail first thing in the morning, all while enjoying plenty of scenic splendor.
Settle into this beautiful beach town with a rental from Dune Allen Realty Vacation Rentals, which offers fantastic locations along the 30A. Cozy up in a cute bungalow or cabin, have endless Gulf views from a beachfront condo or house, or take on adventure in a townhouse. Who knows? You may never want to leave!
beautifulbeach.com
Have a Colorful Experience in Gulf Place
Creativity thrives in Gulf Place. This beach community is casual and colorful, and offers visitors a diverse mix of beach, shopping, dining, and art. Take a stroll through The Artists of Gulf Place, a collective of small galleries where artists showcase their work and offer interactive experiences – you’re sure to find the perfect piece of art to take home.
Gulf Place is home to the Gulley Amphitheater, which often features live music and free concerts. The large green space around the amphitheater also makes it the perfect place to spend time tossing a Frisbee with your friends and family or lounging and enjoying an afternoon picnic. Grab a cup of coffee at Sunrise Coffee Co., a quick lunch at Pizza by the Sea or The Perfect Pig. Shunk Gulley is the newest restaurant in Gulf Place and offers fresh Gulf seafood and a mouthwatering menu, not to mention awesome views of the Gulf of Mexico. Kick your shoes off and let the sand squeak between your toes as you end your day with a sunset stroll on the beach at the Ed Walline Regional Beach Access, where you can head up an elevated viewing platform to snap some awesome pictures of the beach spread out before you.
San Remo is an exclusive gated residential community located on the gulf side of Scenic 30A in South Walton's Santa Rosa Beach, just a short drive from Gulf Place. All of these vacation rentals at San Remo face the main pool plaza area, which has an expansive patio for leisurely lounging and soaking up the sun. The spectacular Olympic sized swimming pool provides plenty of space for watery frolic and adjoins a large bubbling hot tub offers soothing relaxation. The swimming pool is heated for use during the chilly times of the year. A barbeque area allows guests to grill and enjoy dining poolside.
oceanreefresorts.com/condos/san-remo
Soak in the Natural Beauty of Blue Mountain Beach
Natural beauty and relaxation go hand-in-hand in Blue Mountain Beach. This beach neighborhood draws its name from the blue lupine flowers that sway in the coastal breeze and the fact that the area is home to South Walton’s highest elevation (a mountainous 65 feet)! Hop on a bike at Big Daddy’s Bike Shop and make your way to the art gallery of South Walton’s 2005 Artist of the Year, Justin Gaffrey. Even before you enter, you’ll catch glimpses of his unique style on full display.
The South Walton sun can be warm, so be sure to cool down at Blue Mountain Creamery where handmade ice cream is a local favorite. Live music, a great happy hour and fresh Gulf seafood will greet you at Red Fish Taco, a casual restaurant across Hwy 30A in Redfish Village. From the authentic street tacos and pork carnitas to the grilled avocado and blackened shrimp tacos, your taste buds will come alive. While South Walton might be best known for fresh Gulf seafood, the team at Blue Mabel is knocking the barbecue game out of the park. This smokehouse has a diverse menu showcasing everything from wood-grilled jumbo prawns and smoked brisket dumplings to drunken barbecue lamb chops and the famous 24-hour smoked brisket sandwich. Cool down with one of their signature Negronis or a Blue Mountain Manhattan. Next door, Blue Mountain’s Johnny McTighe’s offers up a friendly Irish pub experience where you can expect to find classics like fish and chips, corned beef and cabbage and plenty of fun in the game room.
Enjoy the Unspoiled Beauty of Grayton Beach State Park
Grayton Beach consistently ranks among the most beautiful and pristine beaches in the United States. The beach provides an idyllic setting for swimming, sunbathing and surf fishing, and is the backdrop for golden sunrises and silver moonlit evenings. The nearly 2,000-acre park features a boat ramp that provides access to the lake's brackish waters for both freshwater and saltwater fishing. Visitors can paddle a canoe, stand-up paddle board or kayak on scenic Western Lake to get a closer look at a salt marsh ecosystem. A nature trail winds through a coastal forest where scrub oaks and magnolias stand, bent and twisted by the salt winds. Hikers and bicyclists can enjoy more than four miles of trails throughout the pine flatwoods.
Grayton Beach State Park offers camping and RVs, as well as 30 beautiful cabins, including two accessible cabins. Each cabin is equipped with a gas fireplace (available November through March) central heating and cooling, a screened in porch and an outdoor grill. Kitchens are also equipped with basic cooking and dining utensils. Book online at
reserve.floridastateparks.org.
View the Magical Scenery of Seaside
Seaside offers a thriving town center with shopping and dining, all within walkable distance to homes, cottages, and offices. Consisting of more than 475 cottages, the community also offers an abundant assortment of restaurants, shops, and galleries. Designed by architect Scott Merrill, The Seaside Chapel has served as an architectural landmark in the Seaside community for almost 20 years. The 68-foot bell tower marks the highest point in Seaside and serves as a beacon of spiritual unity throughout the community. Seaside Farmers Market takes place in the Seaside Amphitheater every Saturday rain or shine, offering farm fresh, locally grown produce, homemade baked goods, beef from happy cows, heirloom seeds, artisan breads and cheeses, organic eggs, preserves, and doggie treats, to name a few.
Seaside’s many accolades include being featured on the Cooking Channel’s Emeril’s Florida, being named the “Best Beach on Earth” for families by Travel + Leisure magazine, and being included in USA Today’s “Top 10 Best Beach Towns in Florida.” Seaside also served as the primary filming location for the classic movie “The Truman Show” starring Jim Carrey.
Homeowner’s Collection is now the largest rental provider with over 135 private vacation homes for rent in acclaimed Seaside. They are the only company that is exclusive to Seaside. They provide upscale amenities, luxury Peacock Alley linens, a personal greeting by cottage hosts, concierge services, and more to make your stay special.
homeownerscollection.com
Discover the Hidden Gem of Camp Helen State Park
Just after Highway 98 merges together with 30A, is the last destination on your road trip: Camp Helen State Park. Truly a hidden gem, Camp Helen is a beautiful daytime getaway destination. With its long and unique history, Camp Helen is sure to appeal to people of all ages. Visit the lodge and relax in the rocking chairs as you look at Lake Powell, a rare coastal dune lake. Learn stories about the park's history or share some of your own. Visit the Visitor Center and enjoy photos and memorabilia from the park's past, as well as wildlife displays. Explore the nature trails and beach, which is unique with the outfall from Lake Powell. Camp Helen is also a great place to fish, so bring your gear!
While Camp Helen State Park is a relatively young park, its history is not. Margaret Hicks was the first to develop the property at Camp Helen when her husband unexpectedly passed away. She built what's referred to as the Lodge for herself and her daughter, Margaret. She also built the Rainbow Cottages, which she rented to travelers to supplement her income during the Great Depression. These historic buildings, along with several others built by Margaret Hicks, are on the National Historic Register. She and her daughter resided on this piece of paradise until selling the property to the Avondale Textile Mills Company, which utilized it as an employee retreat for the next 40-plus years before it became a beloved state park.
After such an epic road trip, you can sit back and enjoy the commemorative souvenirs and photos. Who knows where your next road trip will take you?
