South Walton’s 30A, located along Scenic Highway 30A in Florida’s Panhandle, between Destin and Panama City Beach, is a stretch of coastal paradise with a string of charming beach communities, each with its own distinct personality. It feels like a blend of small-town charm and upscale beach living, with each community offering a different vibe while still being part of a laid-back, relaxed coastal experience.
I’d like to say when describing each of these that they are a true hidden gem in Florida, however, the extensive crowding along the 30A route shows otherwise! They are not “hidden”! During popular tourist seasons, some communities can get very crowded. And the only negative thing I can say about any of the communities is the poor road planning because the 2 lane road can get backed up and delay your beach excursion.
Once you get there, everything else about all of these communities is absolutely fabulous, each in it’s own unique way. You never have to leave once you land in your community, but getting there or exploring outside of it can be frustrating.
From the elegance of Rosemary Beach, the quirky charm of Grayton Beach, the peaceful nature of WaterColor, or the idyllic charm of Seaside, there’s something for everyone along 30A. It’s a place where you can find both luxury and simplicity, both peaceful and hoppin’, all set against the backdrop of some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
This guide will walk your through the beaches along the 30A stretch starting from the west side heading east.
Dune Allen Beach
What I love most about Dune Allen Beach is that it is not the first place people think of when they come to 30A, but is the first beach you come to when heading in from the west. Most people will drive right past this one to other more famously known beaches which is why it is more of a local beach that tends to be less crowded.
Dune Allen Beach is especially unique because of its proximity to two rare coastal dune lakes, that sit just steps away from the beach. The contrast between the still, dark waters of the lakes and the bright, clear Gulf is striking. It also sits next to Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, which is full of walking trails off-beach that wind through pine forests, dunes, and wetlands. It’s the best of both worlds—getting to experience Florida’s unique ecosystems and then enjoying a walk on the beach or swim in the warm Gulf waters.
Gulf Place: Lively & Artsy
Gulf Place is a great spot for shopping, dining, and live music. It’s a small, fun, lively artsy area that has a cool and relaxing vibe. It’s a place where you can easily spend an entire day, hopping from the beach to the shops and restaurants.
Blue Mountain Beach
Blue Mountain Beach is another small, laid-back, residential community that has it’s own unique vibe. The name comes from the blue lupine flowers that used to cover the huge dunes. A must stop spot is at the Blue Mountain Beach Creamery, where I always stop for ice cream after a day at the beach. You can also rent bikes here to explore the area without a car. The beach itself is beautiful and worth a visit!
Grayton Beach: Quirky and Laid-Back
Grayton Beach has always been one of my absolute favorite stops along 30A. It is one of the original communities along 30A with Grayton Beach State Park being right next to it drawing in locals and visitors alike. It has a bohemian, artsy vibe that’s hard to find elsewhere, with its mix of funky shops, colorful cottages, and a community that feels genuinely welcoming. The motto of Grayton Beach, “Nice dogs, strange people,” gives you a good sense of its quirky, laid-back personality. The beach itself is stunning, with towering dunes being right next to Grayton Beach State Park, and the unique coastal dune lake. Everything is here for a chill, fun, natural vacation.
WaterColor: Nature-Lover’s Paradise
WaterColor is a community that is a nature lover’s extention to Seaside. It is a planned community that was designed to seamlessly blend luxury, nature, and Southern charm.
The architecture here is inspired by the landscape, with homes and buildings that complement the tall pine trees and coastal dunes. The proximity to Western Lake, one of the area’s rare coastal dune lakes, makes it an incredible spot for kayaking, paddleboarding, and exploring. The beach is as beautiful as you’d expect, with soft white sand and clear waters, but what makes WaterColor special for me is the sense of tranquility that comes from being surrounded by nature. The community has walking and biking trails that wind through the forest and along the lake, making it easy to stay active while soaking in the scenery. And you can walk or ride your bike to the neighboring Seaside community for all the food and fun it has to offer. It’s an ideal spot for families and nature lovers.
Seaside: The Picture-Perfect Coastal Town
Whenever I think of Seaside, I think of the most idyllic charming community that almost feels unreal, like a movie creation. Infact, it was the filming location for The Truman Show depicting a perfect community! It’s a instragram-worthy town with pastel-colored cottages, white picket fences, and perfectly manicured streets. Seaside was the community along 30A that started it all. This cute community became so popular that developers started building more spots with their own uniqueness all along the stretch of 30A.
The Seaside beach pavilions are iconic, offering convenient and aesthetically pleasing access points to the gorgeous white sand and warm turquoise water seamlessly blending town and beach. The town itself is filled with boutique shops, art galleries, and some fantastic dining options. This spot is one of my favorites for grabbing lunch from one of the food trucks along the town square and eating it on the beach. Seaside has a vibrant, lively energy, and it’s the kind of place where you can spend an entire day just exploring the town and enjoying the local culture.
Seagrove Beach
Seagrove has this incredible old-Florida feel, with towering oak trees and magnolias shading the homes and streets. You know it when you get there because there is no other community quite like it. It’s an area that has managed to hold onto its roots while still evolving with the times. There are no towering condos or high-rise hotels here, and the houses are a mix of older, classic beach homes and newer, modern builds. It feels like a beach town that’s grown organically, without losing its original character.
Other things that make Seagrove stand out is the access to Eastern Lake, a rare coastal dune lake that connects directly to the Gulf of Mexico, and beyond the beach, Point Washington State Forest features over 15,000 acres of trails for hiking and biking. I love the contrast between the beach and the forest!
Walton Dunes Beach Access
Walton Dunes Beach Access is located in a quieter part of the Seagrove Beach area. If you’re looking for a more secluded and peaceful spot away from the busier beaches, Walton Dunes offers that perfect escape. The access point is tucked away at the end of Beachfront Trail, a residential street, so it feels more off-the-beaten-path compared to other more commercialized areas along 30A. Once you arrive, you’re greeted by the signature white sand and clear, emerald waters that make the Emerald Coast so famous. The beach stretches out for miles in both directions, and because this access is less known, it tends to be quieter, even during peak season. And my favorite part is the coastal dune lake that shifts the sands when it connects to the Gulf and creates a unique experience that’s not found on many beaches.
Deer Lake State Park
Deer Lake State Park is a beautiful park known for its stunning natural beauty and diverse ecosystems. The park was named for the rare coastal dune lake, Deer Lake, that is surrounded by pristine beaches and marshlands. It’s a perfect destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Watersound
WaterSound literally took my breath away. The community is a master-planned community, that is built to blend in with the natural dune landscapes that extend from Deer Lake next door. The homes here are exquisite with their nature-centric atmosphere combined with luxury and a peaceful ambiance. Each home has a path that leads to wide boardwalks, bike paths, and plenty of green spaces, making it feel more like a nature preserve than a typical beach town. The wooden boardwalks that wind through the towering dune system to the beach is absolutely breathtaking. It feels like you’re being transported to a hidden paradise as you make your way to the beach. Once you reach the shoreline, you’re greeted by an incredibly wide stretch of sand, with the beautiful dunes as your backdrop.
Seacrest
Seacrest Beach, known for its wide, peaceful beaches, tree-lined streets, laid-back atmosphere, and a variety of vacation rentals and homes that offer a relaxed, coastal lifestyle that embraces outdoor activities. At the heart of Seacrest Beach is The Village of South Walton, a charming town center that offers a great mix of shops, restaurants, and cafes. Seacrest is also home to The Lagoon Pool, a massive 12,000 sf pool complex with kids splash areas and plenty of room so you never feel crowded. The beaches are, of course, gorgeous, however, the access to the beach is typically through private walkways for vacation rentals and homes so more difficult to access if you’re not staying in the immediate area.
Alys Beach: Modern and Minimalist
Alys Beach is unlike any other community along 30A, or any beach community in Florida, for that matter. It has a modern, minimalist aesthetic, with striking white buildings and clean, geometric lines that make it feel like you’ve stepped into a Mediterranean seaside town. It is an instagrammers hotspot and is popular for weddings with a special gazebo that overlooks the beach. The level of detail and upscale living and vacationing is worth a visit to experience the carefully curated luxurious community.
Rosemary Beach: Elegant and Upscale
Rosemary Beach feels like stepping into a European-inspired coastal village. It’s beautiful, with cobblestone streets, manicured lawns, and elegant architecture. The community is very walkable, and I loved walking through its streets, taking in the lush landscaping and the intricate design of the homes and shops.
The beach at Rosemary is pristine, and there’s a feeling of exclusivity here. Every beach access along Rosemary is gated with an access code entry for residents only. It’s perfect for those who want a refined, upscale beach experience. Staying in Rosemary Beach feels like a luxury escape.
Inlet Beach
Inlet Beach is one of the most relaxed and uncrowded beach communities along 30A, offering a mix of natural beauty, pristine coastline, and laid-back charm. Unlike many of the planned communities, Inlet Beach has a mix of homes, older, newer and varying styles.
The beach at Inlet Beach is one of the largest and most expansive along 30A. It has some of the best public access points with plenty of parking, restrooms, and a boardwalk leading down to the beach. The broad shoreline provides ample space to spread out, the sand here is the soft, powdery white that the Emerald Coast is famous for, and the clear, emerald waters are ideal for swimming, paddleboarding, or simply floating in the Gulf.
