Bonfires on the Beach & Old-town Charm: Why 30A is the ultimate family vacation destination

Along the 24 mile stretch of Florida’s County Highway 30A lie 16 unique beach towns, including Rosemary Beach, Santa Rosa Beach, Blue Mountain Beach, Grayton Beach, Sandestin, Watercolor, Dune Allen, Seaside, Seacrest Beach, Seagrove Beach, Watersound, Miramar Beach, Inlet Beach, Seascape, Alys Beach, and Gulf Place. Each has its own history, communities, personalities, architecture, fun-filled activities, and, perhaps most importantly, white sandy beaches that make for a dream-like holiday experience. Nestled between popular getaway spots, Destin and Panama City, the towns that make up the 30A area can be described as much quieter, more peaceful versions of the renowned destinations that bookend these small beach communities. Devoid of the common chain stores, restaurants, towering hotels, and condos that one might find in Panama City or Destin, the 30A beach towns offer a more eclectic experience with views of the Emerald coast almost everywhere you go, family businesses, charming BnB’s, glowing beach bonfires, and local restaurants offering authentic freshly prepared meals – the perfect backdrop to make soulful memories that will last you a lifetime.

The History of 30A at a Glance 

 The general history of South Walton County cannot be told without mentioning that this part of the country was originally a significant Native American settlement. In the 18090’s beach vacationing during the summer was gaining popularity among American families, giving rise to small beach resort communities in various parts of Florida. By the early 1910s, Grayton Beach was becoming well established as one of the preferred resorts for locals of Walton County, with the small cottages decorating the area. Thanks to focused advertising efforts, the 1920s saw individuals purchasing what was marketed as beach lots. By the mid-1920s, more contemporary beach houses were being built in Grayton Beach and its surrounds. It is said that J.J. Kinney and B.B. Murray were among the first to develop the new procession of beach houses. With storm roofs and protective hurricane screens – the homes were referred to as "air castles" and signaled a new era for this area. 

The modern history of the 30A beach communities has its roots in the late 1970s when it is said that Robert Davis inherited 80 acres of beachfront. The visionary was able to transform the land into a coastal retreat, unlike any development that had previously existed in the area. The area was aptly named Seaside and included a business and shopping hub in the town’s center. The luscious white beach and emerald water were the primary draw for vacationers. With Seaside’s widespread success, more communities began developing with their unique charm, character, and style.

The Contemporary 30A That's Making Waves Across the Globe 

  County Highway 30A runs along the Florida Panhandle coastline, with the beach towns between Panama City and Destin named after the road connecting them all. While each community is, in fact, only a few hundred yards away from each other, each one has its own culture, aesthetic, and beach offering. Rising from relative obscurity in the late 1800s, today, the 30A communities welcome visitors from around the world. The past year has seen a distinct rise in numbers with more full-time residents than ever before, rising rental prices, and increased real estate value. With magnificent views of Florida's Emerald Coast, the area is the epitome of a peaceful respite. The common practices of zooming around in golf carts from one place to the next, finding hidden treasures in craft and antique stores, exploring what the Old-Florida homes have to offer, attending art festivals, and ending the day off with a late-night bonfire on the beach, it’s no wonder why many of the communities have won awards for their magnificent offering and why 30A makes one of the most exciting vacation destinations for 2022. 

Architecture 

  Starting with Robert Davis’s Seaside vision, 30A is thought to be the very first town development in the world to champion the notion of New Urbanism. Robert Davis’s grandfather had owned the property since the 1940’s when the beach town communities would enjoy time spent on their front porches, talking to neighbors, and walking to the grocery store. When Robert Davis inherited the land in 1979, he envisioned an ideal community where architecture was integral to ensuring a walkable neighborhood, avoiding the need for cars to get around town. Thus, the advent of New Urbanism can be traced back to this pioneering vision. With a focus on creating diverse, operational neighborhoods, New Urbanism emphasizes the importance of public space, functioning communities, well-thought-out design elements, reclamation, and revitalization. Some of the incredible 30A architecture has even been featured in magazines, with the New York Times calling it "an important phenomenon" in American architecture. While 40% of the land in 30A is protected forest, and there is a 4-story height restriction on all buildings, 30A's innovative New Urban architecture makes it ideally suited for anyone who enjoys resort-living on a neighborhood scale. 

Accommodation 

  While the towns’ fundamental architecture remains cutting-edge, you’ll still find mostly personal homes and cottages as the main form of accommodation available for visitors. Most visitors book a home for the period of their stay, and booking can either be done online on leading booking sites or directly with the local companies that manage the properties on-site. Peak months are, of course, the summer months, and you'll find that prices go up over weekends. However, during off-peak months such as August to October, you’ll be able to book your accommodation and enjoy everything that 30A has to offer at a much more affordable rate. This, however, does mean that you might not be able to enjoy ideal temperatures above the 70s, and you’ll also need to keep in mind that this is hurricane season. But the reality is that with so much on offer, you’ll be able to enjoy an enriched, fun-filled vacation in this area all year round. 

Landmarks and Icons 

  With 30A’s jaw-dropping beaches and scenic views, much attention has been focused on the area of late. The area’s claim to fame could potentially have begun with the filming of a multi-award-winning film, The Truman Show, in Seaside in 1998. Fans of the film will still be able to visit exciting landmarks where scenes from The Truman Show were filmed, including seeing old movie posters in Modica Market where many of the most iconic shots were filmed. Offering a beach experience that has been compared to the likes of some of the world's top-rated beach destinations such as Mauritius and Hawaii, it's no surprise that many celebrities, including Reese Witherspoon, Faith Hill, Amy Grant, Katie Holmes, Sheryl Crow, Courteney Cox, Zac Brown, Kenny Chesney, Emeril Lagasse, and Luke Bryan have been spotted vacationing in the area or even own homes in one of the communities. 

Art and Culture 

  30A has long been referred to as a haven for creatives. With a flourishing arts community, the area has implemented an Artist of the Year program that spotlights local talent. The 30A Songwriters Festival also includes 175 artists, 225 performances, and 30 venues in the area. Art studios line the streets of some communities, and the Digital Graffiti event is described as a “one-of-a-kind projection art festival where artists across the globe use the latest digital technologies to project their original works onto the iconic white walls of Alys Beach.” Offering ample opportunity for both collectors and artists, Ruskin Place in Seaside, Smith’s Antiques in Miramar Beach, The Blue Giraffe Gallery in Watercolor, and The Shard Shop in Grayton Beach have been highlighted as some of the best places to buy and make art in the 30A beach towns. 

Public Beaches 

  While all of these unique attractions are reason enough to pack up your suitcases and make your way to 30A, the white sandy beaches are perhaps the area’s most coveted asset. The pristine white sand that is unique to the area is actually almost completely comprised of pure quartz from the Appalachian Mountains, washed up through the Apalachicola River over thousands of years. As the sun shines down on the quartz, it bleaches the crystal, resulting in the soft white sand you find today. Set against the emerald green water that characterizes the Florida Gulf Coast, the majesty of the 30A beaches is something to behold. Because there are no rivers running directly into the Emerald Coast, you can look forward to pristine clean water. Whether you want to sunbathe on the sandy white shores or take a dip in the luminescent turquoise water, the beaches of 30A are comparable to any of the top-ranking teachers across the globe. 

30A (Santa Rosa) Beach Bonfires 

  30A’s breathtakingly beautiful waters are the perfect backdrop to connecting with friends and family over a memorable beach bonfire. The practice is, in fact, well-known and much loved throughout all of the communities, making it something you should have on your 30A bucket list. With the comfortably warm weather that the summer promises and the refreshing Gulf wind that sweeps through the beaches, a beach bonfire is a perfect way to spend your evenings making memories. Depending on how big your bonfire is, you'll need to ensure that you get a fire permit, so most people interested in enjoying a 30A beach bonfire reach out to local companies who take care of everything for them. You have the option of having an intimate bonfire with your nearest and dearest or inviting some friends along to enjoy a bonfire gathering with S’mores over the fire and music and dancing around the flames. Handwritten messages in the sand and your own personal fire attendant are some of the perks of hiring a reputable company to help you host your bonfire. If you’re planning on having your wedding on one of the beautiful beaches of 30A, having a bonfire at your wedding celebration is something you'll want to look into. Impactful, memorable, and perfect for spectacular fiery photographs, a bonfire is the ultimate way to celebrate your union in true 30A style. 

Getting Around 

 Because most of the 30A communities are designed around New Urbanism principles, you really shouldn't have a problem getting around the town, but it's always a great idea to either rent a bike or a golf cart so that you can zoom around with ease. Make sure that the community you’re in allows bikes and golf carts, and ensure that you reserve your mode of transport well in advance, especially if you’re visiting during the summer when facilities can get booked up quickly.  

Making the Most of What 30A Beaches have to Offer 

 While there are so many different communities that make up the 30A area, we’ve put together some information on our top picks so that you can plan your next vacation. Remember that because each beach town is close to the next, you can quickly move around the area and visit a few different locations to get the most out of your holiday in 30A. 

Santa Rosa Beach 

When it comes to Santa Rosa Beach, there’s one word that comes to mind – luxury. Established in 1910, Santa Rosa Beach promises gorgeous beach houses, fine dining, scenic beauty surrounding the beach, and a family-friendly experience you won’t soon forget. With multiple entrances to Point Washing State Forest, you can pack your bag and make a day of splashing in the water, sunbathing on the beach, and majestic walks through the 15,000-acre preserve. With easy access to Gulf Place, you can expect to enjoy interactive creative experiences and plenty of artistic inspiration, and Santa Rosa’s Stinky Fish Camp, which was rated among the Top 10 places to eat in the USA.  

Inlet Beach 

 Looking for something a little more 'off the beaten path? Then Inlet beach is the ultimate hidden paradise for you to enjoy. With Old-Florida cottages and modern dining experiences, this beach town is a testament to the magic that can arise when old meets new. Enjoy fresh seafood and live entertainment at some of the local restaurants and shop your heart out at  Inlet Beach’s bespoke boutiques. As the area’s largest regional beach access, Inlet Beach makes for an excellent place to enjoy a bonfire with dancing into the night under the starry summer skies. 

Blue Mountain Beach 

  Say hello to towering sand dunes and the beach town’s signature blue lupine flowers as you step into the Gulf Coast’s highest altitude beach town. Enjoy unmatched views of the Emerald Coast and revel in the peace, calm, and relaxation that this quiet beach town offers. Because it sees much less foot traffic than other 30A communities, it is ideal for a tranquil escape into paradise when you need to simply get away from the world. Close to Grayton and Gulf Place, you’ll have easy access to these nearby beach towns if you’re looking for some more of the excitement that the area offers. 

Ed Walline Beach 

 This glorious beach is ADA compliant, meaning that individuals with disabilities can have full access to beach wheelchairs available on request (make sure to research and book in advance, if possible). The beach is perfect for a day on the sand with shelters, picnic tables, and lifeguards, so you can bring the whole family and have peace of mind that you'll find a shady spot where kids can play safely. Ed Walline Beach’s two-story viewing platform is unique and allows visitors to see the beach and Gulf from above. Lucky visitors will even be able to see dolphins when the weather is right. 

Dune Allen Beach 

 Bosting five coastal dune lakes, Allen, Campbell, Morris, Oyster, and Stallworth, Dune Allen Beach is just right for the outdoor adventurer looking to enjoy the rare coastal dune lakes that only some of the beaches in 30A offer. This beach is fantastic if you enjoy fishing, with the opportunity to fish in the dune lakes themselves if you have a license. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is well suited to those who love to camp with old pine forests, dunes, and wetlands to wade through. 

30A Roundup: Our Final Words 

 With 30A’s rich history dating back to the 1890s, these beach towns along the renowned Emerald Coast are becoming increasingly popular as the go-to beach holiday destination for many families, young adults, and creatives. With a thriving artist community, world-class dining, thought-leading architecture, and magnificent coastline views, living in perfect union with the Old-Florida cottages, original historic landmarks, undiscovered treasures to visit, the 30A communities are the best combination of old-town charm and modern innovation.  

Each of the beaches offers something different and exciting for visitors to experience, from shaded picnic areas and dune lakes to surfing, dolphin watching, and unforgettable beach bonfire experiences, there is something for everyone to enjoy.  

Planning to visit 30A and want to make your time on the beach is special? Contact Dawn Till Dusk Beach Bonfires to learn more about how we can help you plan the ultimate 30A beach bonfire.