Things To Do
30A Beaches
The beautiful white sugary beaches along 30A are not to be missed. So, pack your sunglasses, sunscreen, snacks and other beach day essentials and enjoy an afternoon or even a full day at the beach. Depending on where you stay in 30A, a great beach spot might be just steps away or you may have to go a little out of your way. You can certainly save money at 30A by renting accommodations away from the beach side of the highway. Your hosts will be able to direct you to the closest public beach access. But you don’t have to stick to the nearest beach. You can find public beach access in many places along 30A.
The Big Chill / The Hub
You’ll find a wide variety of great eats like burgers, BBQ, seafood, ice cream, smoothies, etc. There are also some fun shops to look through!
Timpoochee Trail
Instead of dealing with traffic in your car, explore 30A on a bike. You can follow the 18-mile Timpoochee Trail to explore all of the lovely beach neighborhoods along Highway 30A.
Seaside
Seaside’s Central Square is a popular spot along 30A. Full of great shops and wonderful lunch spots (see below for our favorite), it’s a great way to spend an afternoon. We recommend stopping in at: -Central Square Records—Audiophiles will enjoy browsing through the bins at this independent record store. Who knows? You might find that copy of Queen II on vinyl you’ve been wanting. -Sundog Books—Just downstairs from Central Square Records you’ll find the family-owned Sundog Books. A great place to pick up your next beach read. -The Seaside Style—Great shop to pick up Seaside logo merch and even items referencing the Jim Carrey film The Truman Show which was filmed in Seaside. -Art of Simple—fun gifts and home décor items.
Meltdown On 30A
As long as you’re in Seaside, why not grab the best grilled cheese of your life. You’ll find The Meltdown on 30A food truck along “Airstream Row” at Central Square facing Highway 30A.
Rosemary Beach
Toward the Eastern end of Highway 30A, you’ll find the lovely Rosemary Beach community. The cobblestone streets and architecture put one in mind of old European towns. It’s a great place to just walk around and enjoy looking in the shops. There’s limited parking around Barrett Square, but if you can find a spot definitely grab it quick! You’ll find great Rosemary Beach souvenirs at Rosemary Beach Trading Company in the center of town. If you’re a book lover like me, you’ll love wandering through The Hidden Lantern. It’s a beautiful store with a great selection of books.
La Crema Tapas & Chocolate
Oh hey. And as long as you’re at Rosemary Beach, stop by La Crema Tapas & Chocolate for a wonderful dessert. We highly recommend the chocolate fondue (delicious!), the salted caramel ice cream and the fruit tarte. There is a gluten-free option for the fondue, and you can choose either dark or milk chocolate. Adding peanut butter is available for an upcharge. While I enjoyed trying the sipping chocolate, I didn’t think it was worth anything close to the $6 I paid for it.
Kahve & Cream
For a delicious morning treat, head to Khave & Cream in Seagrove Beach for some wonderful donuts. You can purchase individually or splurge on a box. Or put your life in the hands of the staff and let them choose a variety of donuts for you. I highly recommend the apple filled bear claw. It’s enormous and delicious! Plan to get there early especially during peak summer travel season so you might miss out. Though we didn’t try the coffee or ice cream (kicking myself), I have heard good things.
Surfing Deer
If you’re looking for some fine dining for a splurge-y date night dinner out, then I recommend you give Surfing Deer a try. The food is excellent!