Your insider's guide to 30A

Café serving breakfast, lunch and dinner: hand-sliced applewood bacon at breakfast, pulled pork at lunch, local grouper at dinner. Outdoor seating.

Tip: Popular breakfast spot. Go early on weekends. They also have a WaterColor location next to Publix.

Seagrove's longtime donut shop, known for having the largest selection of donuts on 30A. They make donuts fresh every day and also serve cinnamon rolls and savory breakfast items, for takeout or to eat in.

Tip: It's an early-morning spot that closes around noon, and it has historically closed for the season in January and February, so call ahead in winter.

A 100% organic, gluten-free breakfast and lunch cafe on 30A serving avocado toast, egg sandwiches, acai and grain bowls, smoothies, cold-pressed juices and organic coffee. It's a great pick for guests with dietary restrictions.

Tip: Drinks are dairy-free by default, made with house-made cashew milk. Online ordering is available for pickup, and it closes early afternoon.

Specialty coffee shop with coffee drinks, fresh donuts, breakfast wraps and ice cream.

Tip: Donuts sell out, so come early. Listed hours vary, so check before you go.

Local specialty coffee roaster in Seaside's Central Square.

Tip: Opens 6:30am. Get coffee, then walk the Seaside beach pavilions.

Bakery and café known for its breads, pastries and breakfast and lunch, with an adjacent full-service bar.

Tip: There's also a Seaside location. Pick up a loaf for the house.

Family-friendly seafood restaurant on the shores of Eastern Lake with live music.

Tip: Lunch 11-3:30, dinner 4:30-10. Ask for a seat with a view of the coastal dune lake at sunset.

Seaside's landmark restaurant, serving for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The rooftop bar overlooks the Gulf.

Tip: Get to the Roof Deck before sunset. Everyone claps when the sun hits the water.

Seafood market selling fresh local Gulf fish and shrimp. Will steam shrimp to take home.

Tip: Grab steamed shrimp for an easy dinner at the house. Open daily 10am-6pm.

Casual seafood shack at Bud & Alley's in Seaside.

Tip: Happy hour daily 3-5pm.

Casual Grayton oyster bar serving raw, steamed and baked oysters and seafood.

Tip: First come, first served (no reservations).

Family-friendly pizzeria with New York-style crust and garlic knots, subs, pasta and calzones. Outdoor deck with frequent live music.

Tip: Live music Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 6–9pm (schedule: boggyboyspizza.com/seagrove-live-music).

Family-owned, beach-casual Mexican: order at the counter, food brought to your table. Known for queso blanco, fajitas, carnitas and loco nachos.

Tip: Easy walk from the house. Fast service makes it a good post-beach dinner with kids.

Family-friendly, homestyle Italian in the heart of Seagrove Beach. They have served hand-tossed pizza longer than anyone else in SoWal, plus pastas and classics like Veal Marsala and Chicken Piccata.

Tip: Seating is first come, first served and they don't take reservations. They're happy to put together large to-go orders for a night in.

A casual seafood grill and sports bar on 30A in Seagrove with burgers, fish and chips, wings and a full bar. Plenty of TVs make it a laid-back spot to catch a game.

Seagrove's old-school café, serving since 1949. Famous grouper sandwich and burgers, plus po-boys, salads and fish tacos.

Tip: Order the grouper sandwich. Seagrove T-shirts and hats make good souvenirs.

Neapolitan wood-fired pizza and Italian-inspired dishes on the first floor of Bud & Alley's.

Tip: Open daily from 11am; call that number for to-go orders.

Chef Jim Shirley's Southern café in Seaside's Central Square, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Tip: Good for brunch after the Saturday farmers market. Reservations recommended.

Gourmet grilled cheese Airstream on Seaside's Airstream Row, with roasted tomato soup, kids' menu, beer and wine.

Tip: Airstream Row also has Frost Bites shaved ice, Wild Bill's Beach Dogs, Mr. Gyro Hero, Barefoot BBQ and Crêpes du Soleil, so everyone can pick something different.

Seagrove institution since 1995. Casual fine dining with a contemporary, eclectic menu, fine wines and martinis.

Tip: Reservations required. Dinner nightly from 4:30pm. They have historically closed from late Nov through Christmas.

Upscale Seagrove restaurant focused on fresh local seafood, with a waterfront patio.

Tip: Dinner only. Call to confirm current hours. Complimentary valet.

Funky, eclectic Grayton Beach landmark serving American, Cajun and seafood dishes, with live music. Try the smoked tuna dip and key lime pie.

Tip: No reservations, so expect a wait in season. Grab a drink and wander Grayton while you wait.

Grayton Beach seafood and drinks spot with an outdoor beer garden and rooftop, across from The Red Bar.

Tip: Relaxed afternoon drinks after a day at Grayton Beach State Park.

Authentic Hawaiian-style shave ice, finely shaved rather than crunchy like a snow cone, with 50+ flavors, premium Farr's ice cream and real-fruit smoothies. A family-favorite cool-down a short walk up 30A.

Tip: Ask for it over ice cream. The island-inspired Lava Flow and Hula Pie ice cream flavors are house favorites.

Shaved ice and frozen treats from an Airstream on Seaside's Airstream Row.

Tip: A good way to cool down after walking around Seaside.

Seagrove-based shop renting street-legal 6-seat golf carts (gas or electric), plus bikes, e-bikes, kayaks and paddleboards.

Tip: Free delivery and pickup on golf cart rentals across 30A including Seagrove Beach. Daily, multi-day and weekly options.

Locally owned; street-legal LSVs with lithium batteries in 4- and 6-passenger sizes (lifted and non-lifted).

Tip: Free delivery/pickup along 30A incl. Seagrove. Reserve by call or text (no online booking). Valid driver's license required. Does not rent within Seaside, WaterColor or Rosemary Beach communities.

6-passenger gas carts (Club Car/EZGO) with Bluetooth audio, plus electric Moke 4/5-passenger carts.

Tip: Free delivery/pickup throughout 30A incl. Seagrove; cart delivered before 4 p.m. check-in. Renter must be 21+, 2-day minimum, online waiver required.

Delivery-only company (no walk-in location) renting street-legal golf carts in various sizes.

Tip: Free delivery to vacation rentals across 30A incl. Seagrove; carts arrive fully charged. Text after 6 p.m.

Santa Rosa Beach company renting street-legal 6-seat golf carts, including gas-powered options.

Tip: Free delivery and pickup; serves Seagrove. Drivers must be 26+ (insurance requirement) with valid license and car insurance. 2-day minimum.

Large 30A rental outfitter offering LSVs, bikes, beach chair/umbrella service, beach gear, baby gear and bonfires.

Tip: Delivers to Seagrove. Book cart at least 24 hours ahead; liability waiver required before lockbox code is released. Does not deliver carts into Seaside, WaterColor, Rosemary, Alys, Watersound, Prominence or Sandestin.

Large fleet of brightly colored, well-maintained bikes; every bike comes with a free lock.

Tip: Delivery and pickup all along 30A. Also offers beach chair/umbrella setups.

Rents bikes, e-bikes, golf carts, e-scooters and Slingshots from its shop on 30A, just around the corner from the house.

A 30A rental service offering street-legal 6-passenger electric golf carts, beach cruiser bikes, beach gear (chairs, umbrellas, canopies, coolers, wagons), water sports gear and beach bonfire packages.

Tip: Delivery and pickup along 30A are complimentary, and they'll quote bundles if you're renting several kinds of gear.

Beach cruisers, e-bikes, kids' trailers, plus helmets, baskets, locks and lights.

Tip: Free delivery and pickup to your door along 30A. Park & Ride day rentals at the shop.

Adult and kids' bikes (16" to 26") delivered to your rental, plus beach service and gear.

Tip: Free pickup at end of rental. Book bikes at least 72 hours ahead.

Your closest beach: sugar-white sand and emerald water, about a 4-minute walk from the house.

Tip: Bring everything back each night (Leave No Trace). Check the flag color before swimming.

The closest state park. A quarter-mile boardwalk crosses high dunes to an uncrowded beach, past one of the rare coastal dune lakes.

Tip: $3 per vehicle by honor box (bring exact change). It fills up and may close temporarily. Bring a beach wagon for the boardwalk.

Frequently ranked among America's best beaches. Tall dunes, Western Lake coastal dune lake, nature trails and paddling.

Tip: $5 per vehicle. Kayak, canoe and paddleboard rentals near the boat ramp. Arrive early in summer, as it fills up.

Trailhead with parking, restrooms and picnic tables. The pink-blazed trail ties into the Eastern Lake loops (3.5 to 11 miles) through longleaf pine forest.

Tip: Open sunrise to sunset. Best for morning hikes or rides before the heat.

Paved, flat multi-use path of about 18.5 miles running alongside 30A from Dune Allen to Inlet Beach.

Tip: Bike west to Seaside (about 2.5 mi) for lunch or east to Rosemary/Alys. Golf carts are not allowed on the path.

Moss-draped live oaks, ornamental gardens and the 1897 Wesley House on Tucker Bayou in Point Washington.

Tip: Wesley House tours run hourly 10am-3pm, Thursday-Monday (max 10 people per tour). Great picnic spot.

Local produce, baked goods and artisan vendors at the Seaside amphitheater.

Tip: Saturdays 9am-1pm, rain or shine.

Free concerts, outdoor movies, holiday celebrations and kids' events on the lawn in Seaside.

Tip: Bring a blanket or chairs. Check the Seaside events calendar for this week's lineup.

Planned community next to Seaside on Western Lake, with shops, dining and family programming (Camp WaterColor is the resort's activities program).

Tip: Some amenities are reserved for WaterColor Inn and resort guests, so check access before you go.

The iconic New Urbanist town from 'The Truman Show': Central Square shops, Sundog Books, the Airstream Row food trucks, beach pavilions and the amphitheater.

Tip: Browse the restaurants: seasidefl.com/dining. About a 10–12 minute bike ride from the house.

Striking all-white, Bermuda-inspired architecture with boutiques, restaurants and NEAT Bottle Shop.

Tip: Bike over for photos and a coffee. Rental golf carts are not allowed inside.

European-style town at the east end of 30A, with a walkable town center, shops, restaurants and events on the green.

Tip: Free summer concerts on Wednesdays (June-August). Rosemary Beach Uncorked food and wine fest is in mid-November.

Funky old beach town with The Red Bar, Chiringo, Hurricane Oyster Bar.

Tip: Best at sunset and into the evening, with live music at The Red Bar.

Paddle a rare coastal dune lake that occasionally opens to the Gulf, a feature found in only a few places in the world.

Tip: 30A Bike Rentals will deliver boards and kayaks to the Eastern Lake boat ramp. Go in the morning when the water is glassy.

Destin, 'The World's Luckiest Fishing Village', has dozens of inshore, offshore and party-boat charters on the Harbor Boardwalk.

Tip: Book ahead in summer. Half-day party boats are a budget-friendly option for families.

Large water park with slides, wave pool and lazy river.

Tip: Seasonal (summer only). Check the website for opening dates before planning.

Large open-air shopping, dining and entertainment district next to the PCB City Pier.

Tip: Good rainy-day option. Combine with a walk on the Russell-Fields City Pier.

Full-service supermarket nearest the house, with deli, bakery and wine and beer.

Tip: On CR 395 just north of 30A. Typically 7am-10pm. Shop early on Saturdays (turnover day).

Walk-in urgent care in Seagrove with on-site X-ray and an on-site pharmacy for most common medications.

Tip: Practically next door. Hours are roughly Mon/Tue/Wed/Fri 8am-5pm; closed Thursday and Sunday. Call to confirm Saturday hours.

Fresh local seafood market. Will steam shrimp.

Tip: Open daily 10am-6pm.

Historic Seagrove market and café (since 1949) with grab-and-go items and Seagrove merchandise.

Tip: Corner of CR 395 and 30A.

Liquor store (Shunk Gulley group) with spirits, craft beer, wine and party supplies.

Tip: Just east of Eastern Lake. Publix sells wine and beer only.

Nearest Walgreens to 30A. For most prescriptions, the Publix pharmacies are closer.

Tip: For prescriptions closer by, try the Publix pharmacy on US 98 (2038 US Hwy 98 W, Santa Rosa Beach) or the Walmart pharmacy at 6712 US Hwy 98 W.

Swimsuits, beachwear, gifts and beach gear — just around the corner on Cassine Way.

A clothing boutique in the shops at 4281 E County Hwy 30A, a quick stroll from the house, for beach-chic apparel and accessories.

The nearest gas station and convenience store, good for fuel, snacks, drinks and grab-and-go essentials.

Tip: Cumberland Farms' free SmartRewards program earns points on fuel and in-store purchases.

A small Seagrove shopping plaza for sipping, shopping and slowing down. Tenants include Seagrove Coffee & Donuts, Coastal Steamer Cafe, Beachside Açaí Café, The 30A Store, Jewelry of 30A, Frankly My Dear boutique, A List Salon and Emerald Coast Massage 30A.

A walkable shop-dine-stay village on Scenic 30A, home to merchants like YOLO Board and Bike and The Salty Butcher plus The Lodge 30A hotel, all within a short stroll of each other.

Tip: Greenway Station has hosted a mid-week farmers market on summer Wednesday mornings. Check their site for this season's dates.

An open-air food and entertainment hub in Watersound (formerly The Hub 30A) with several eateries, including Mile Marker 15 tacos, Nectar coffee and smoothies, Duos and Louie's Una Pizza, plus an arcade, ice cream, shops, live music and a giant outdoor screen.

Tip: Check their events calendar for free family movie nights and games on the jumbotron.

Airboat tours through the backwaters near West Bay with USCG Master Captains, running daytime and night rides from their own covered docks. There's also a gift shop on site.

Tip: Reservations are required. It's off Hwy 79 next to Boondocks Restaurant, just before the bridge.

Veteran-owned airboat eco-tours through the creeks and marshes of West Bay, looking for alligators, eagles, ospreys, herons and dolphins. The one-hour daytime tour ends with a hands-on alligator demonstration.

Tip: Private tours can reach areas the regular boats can't. Call ahead for availability.

A veteran-owned, family-run beach bonfire company (est. 2016) that sets up the fire, chairs, tiki torches and roasting sticks with an attendant, from small sunset gatherings to wedding parties.

Tip: Walton County requires a special event permit for bonfires with 30 or more guests, which adds to the cost. Propane fires are available on request.

Done-for-you beach bonfires, styled sunset picnics and beach chair and umbrella setups across 30A since 2015. Everything is set up before you arrive, and they handle permits and cleanup.

Tip: Book early for peak weeks. They can pair a sunset picnic with a bonfire.

Mobile private and group Pilates and yoga classes taught by Grace Albin (@fitstylegrace). Classes are held at your vacation rental, poolside or on the beach, with all equipment and mats provided.

Tip: Text 504-252-0428 with your dates. Summer beach classes are held at sunrise or sunset, and rainy-day classes can move indoors or be rescheduled.

A full-service nail salon right on Cassine Way offering manicures, pedicures, dip, gel and acrylic nails, waxing and kids' services.

Tip: You can book online through their website, and they can accommodate larger groups.

A luxury, concierge-style hair salon across from the Gulf, in business for over 20 years. It specializes in dimensional color, blonding, balayage, extensions, blowouts and keratin treatments, using Kérastase and Oribe products.

Tip: They also do wedding and bridal hair and makeup.

Walk-ins welcome. X-ray and on-site pharmacy. Closed Thursday and Sunday.

24/7 emergency department — the nearest hospital.

Opened 2026. Walk-ins 7 days: Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat-Sun 8am-3pm.

About 45 minutes by car.

About 65 minutes by car.