Rosemary Beach, FL – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Alan LeStourgeon
Travelers from the East will soon come to Rosemary Beach’s scrub oak trees and European-style buildings as they turn into Florida’s 30A picturesque highway.
Modeled after colonial buildings in New Orleans, St. Augustine, and the Dutch West Indies, the village on the Panhandle of Northwest Florida was founded in 1995 but feels like a much older beach town. As soon as they pull onto 30A, folks are usually enthralled and say, “Wow, Rosemary,” according to Coco Gilliam, a local independent vacation consultant with Magic on Main vacation.
The white sand beach is at a short distance from cobblestone streets, stores, and eateries. According to a January news release, the village was one of Vrbo’s top vacation spots for spring break and Memorial Day in 2025.
There are other coastal settlements on 30A, including Rosemary, each with its own distinct style. Southeast travelers may already be familiar with the well-known location, but newcomers should be aware of these facts.
30A: What is it?
Between Panama City Beach and Destin, there is a 24-mile stretch known as 30A. State parks, coastal dune lakes, and over ten different settlements can be found in the region. “You can visit the beach, but for me, the towns are what really make a trip complete,” Gilliam remarked.
While some also have hotels, the majority have holiday rental properties. “Bike rentals are available in each town, but some houses and resorts provide them, so it’s easy for visitors to ride between them,” Gilliam said.
Are there any additional beach towns along 30A?
In addition to Rosemary Beach, the following communities are in the area:
Seaside: “People typically visit that town first because they know it from ‘The Truman Show,'” Gilliam said. A large portion of the 1998 Jim Carrey movie was set against the backdrop of Seaside’s cottages and main center. She said that the neighborhood is very kid-friendly and walkable, with well-liked eateries like Bud & Alley’s, which has a view of the gulf, and events like farmers’ markets and live music in the amphitheater.
Seagrove: Next to Seaside, Gilliam said Seagrove was a “quieter spot.” The area’s location offers “slightly” more cheap costs, she continued, but it’s still close enough to walk between the two.
White dwellings, including villas and courtyard homes, that are inspired by the architecture of islands like Bermuda and Antigua may be seen on the 158 acres of Alys Beach. Along with stores and eateries, such as the seaside tavern The Citizen, visitors can enjoy a 20-acre natural park. Artwork is projected onto the community’s white walls during events like the Digital Graffiti Festival.
Grayton Beach: Gilliam described Grayton Beach as “more of an artsy area.” Visitors can explore Grayton Beach State Park and local establishments like The Red Bar, which is housed in an old general store and has live jazz and other music. The park’s almost 2,000 acres offer hiking, fishing, campsites, and other activities to visitors.
Blue Mountain Beach: According to Gilliam, Blue Mountain is not as popular with vacationers as some of the other localities. She pointed out that the region is more reasonably priced and that the more relaxed atmosphere has advantages because it is closer to 30A’s western entrance. Since there aren’t as many residences erected there, Gilliam predicted that the beaches would be less busy.
What time of year is ideal for visiting 30A?
The region is “becoming a year-round destination,” according to Gilliam, although the warmest months of May through October are the busiest. However, there may be fewer people throughout the winter.
“The off-season is a great time to come if you’re okay with not swimming but still enjoying what all the beach towns have to offer,” she said.
How is 30A reached?
Gilliam says the most convenient airport is Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) in Panama City. The travel from 30A to the airport takes about 30 minutes.
Pensacola International Airport (PNS) and Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS) are also accessible by plane, however they are around an hour and a half’s drive away, respectively. To make it easier to tour the area, Gilliam suggested renting a car.
You can also drive in. Many places, including Birmingham, Alabama (about four and a half hours), Atlanta, Georgia (just over five hours), and even Nashville, Tennessee, are less than a day’s drive away from 30A. (about seven hours).
What is the cost of a trip to 30A?
There isn’t a single price range for the region because costs can change based on where visitors stay and the kind of lodging they select.
For instance, The Lodge 30A’s website states that nightly prices, which are marketed as a “affordable stay,” begin at $176 in early September. Prices for the same dates at Rosemary Beach’s exclusive Pearl Hotel start at $555 per night. However, visitors will be looking at “way more” if they rent a six-bedroom home, Gilliam said.
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Born and raised in South Florida, Krystal is a recent graduate from the University of Miami with professional writing experience at the collegiate and national news outlet levels. She’s a foodie who loves all things travel, the beach, & visiting new places throughout Florida.