30A
30A is our happy place. It is a beautiful 26-mile stretch of white sand along Florida’s Northwestern panhandle, between Destin and Panama City. I grew up vacationing with my family here, beginning in the late 1980s. When Barry and I started dating, he visited with me and quickly fell in love with the area too. After many visits together, we were able to realize both our lifelong dreams of owning property at the beach. We have continued to enjoy lots of time here with family and friends, whether for a quick weekend getaway or a relaxing two-week stay.
It’s not the hidden gem it used to be, and it’s definitely much busier and more crowded these days, but it remains beautiful and one of our favorite places on earth to spend time. And it still stands out from busier beaches because of the lack of hotels and high-rises.
The name 30A refers to County Road 30A, the approximately 20 mile road along the the coastline. The multiple beach communities from west to east include Dune Allen, Santa Rosa, Blue Mountain, Grayton, Watercolor, Seaside, Seagrove, Watersound, Seacrest, Alys, Rosemary, and Inlet. Seaside is in the middle and kind of like the “downtown” of 30A.
30A is very drivable from most of the southeastern US. Approximate travel times are Nashville 7 hours, Atlanta 5 hours, Birmingham 4.5 hours. We usually drive, but we will also fly if we’re going for just a short time. The closest airport is Panama City’s Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP), about 35 miles from Seaside. The Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS) is another viable option, and Pensacola International Airport (PNS) is about a 2-hour drive away.
Here is more information on where to stay and where to eat. And click here for the most comprehensive website of events, news, things to do, and other information on the area.
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