30A, Fl has fast become one of the hottest places to stay cool during the summer. Thanks to its cute beach towns that line the shore of the beautiful emerald coast of Florida, you can enjoy pretty much all the good vibes. It has also is perfectly located for those coming in from out of town, but still wanting all the best Florida beaches have to offer. All of these things combined, 30A is the perfect weekend getaway.
There’s tons of beach towns to choose from when planning your trip. Popular stays include Rosemary Beach, Alys Beach, Seaside, Seacrest, and more. We stayed in Carillon Beach and would 100% stay there again. It’s much quieter than the popular spots, while only being a short drive to everything. We were less than 10 minutes away from Rosemary Beach.
We spent 4 wonderful days in 30A (disclaimer: we commuted from Texas), and we’re going to share the perfect itinerary to get the most out of your trip. We’re all about balance. Take time to relax on your vacation, as well as do everything you want to do. Here’s how we spent 4 perfect days in 30A.
Day 1
Afternoon Arrival
We arrived in the evening around 6pm, however we recommend getting there earlier and closer to check in time. If you’re traveling in to the 30A from out of town, you’re going to be exhausted. Bucket some time from check-in before any plans to catch a catnap, if you want. We definitely did and it really helped us enjoy the rest of the evening.
There are tons of great places to stay along 30A. We stayed at the Carillon Beach Inn and Resort, but other popular spots include Rosemary Beach Inn, The Pearl Hotel, and more.
Stroll Around Town
We recommend making dinner reservations ahead of time, and there are tons of great options all within driving distance of each other. We made sure dinner was reserved in a town we wanted to explore and arrived a little early for our reservation so we could walk around town. There was a cute art gallery open while we were there that we got a chance to explore, and so much more. Plus, with it being the evening, it was much quieter, which was nice.
Grab Dinner
We made dinner reservations at Havana Rooftop Bar located inside the Pearl Hotel. We arrived on my birthday, and this is where I wanted to have dinner. Honestly, the food was amazing (especially the brussels sprouts we got as an appetizer). It also had great views of the town of Rosemary Beach, looking out of the green. We happened to be eating while they had an outdoor movie night going, so we got to watch a nice movie, eat, and take in the sights.
Day 2
Grab Breakfast
Start the day off right with good breakfast and good coffee. In Carillon, there was the cutest little cafe stand called “Our Little Beach Cafe.” It was a short walk from our room and had the best coffee and great pastries for breakfast. I cannot function without coffee, so having good coffee nearby was a win. That said, there are tons of other coffee places if you aren’t staying in Carillon, including Raw & Juicy and Fonville Press in Alys beach.
Hit The Beach
Unfortunately for us, it was raining so we couldn’t go straight to the beach. However, if the rain permits, you should definitely head to your local beach. There’s lots of rules about beach access in 30A now, so be sure to check the rules for the beach town you’re staying in. For instance, in Rosemary Beach, only those staying in Rosemary Beach get access and you must rent a chair. These rules are changing all the time, so definitely take a look before you head out.
Shopping
Since we couldn’t beach, another great option is shopping. 30A has tons of great shopping. We beat the rain by staying in Carillon Beach. There weren’t a ton of shops in Carillon, but we stocked up on souvenirs from the town we’re staying in.
Grab Lunch
Due to the rain, we also decided to grab lunch in Carillon. As soon as the weather cleared up, we wanted to be ready to head down to the water. Luckily, there’s a delicious pizza place in Carillon called “Lake Powell Pizza.” We each grabbed a pizza to go and ate in the room. I’m a big proponent of taking advantage of the place you’re staying in. We also had the cutest balcony overlooking Lake Carillon. Definitely not a wasted choice.
Free Afternoon
This is your time to rest, head back to the beach, or do whatever. It did not stop raining, so we took a nap.
Sunset on the beach
One rule about the beach, don’t ever miss a sunset. They are stunning. The rain did clear up a bit, but it was still very cloudy and chilly. So we headed down to the water anyways and collected shells. We got out toes in the water, but the waves weren’t friendly enough for a cold dunk. Instead, we just walked along the shoreline, admired the expensive homes on the coast, and watched a gorgeous sunset. If you plan on staying long, bring dinner in a picnic! It’s one of the most enjoyable things you can do.
Day 3
Breakfast
We got breakfast at the same spot as the day before, but it’s a great time to try something new, too!
Shopping in Rosemary Beach
Today was the day I had originally planned for shopping. We headed back over to Rosemary to walk around their square of stores. There were tons, and the cutest bookshop (which I couldn’t pass up as a reader). I was able to buy my own Rosemary Beach sweatshirt, and some other souvenirs to take back. If you’re looking for the sweatshirt, several stops will have some in all kinds of colors.
Lunch in Alys Beach
We headed over to Alys in the afternoon and grabbed lunch of Fonville Press. We also brought our pup with us, and he loved all the views and the outdoor seating. If you’re bringing pets, they’ll also give you water for them!
We strolled around Alys for a bit, before we realized how warm it was getting and it was time to head back to the water.
Afternoon at the Beach
Take in your last full day on the beach. We stayed for sunset, collected shells, and just relaxed. Nothing turns the brain off and lets you fully relax like the sound of the ocean. We stayed there for a while, but unfortunately it was still too cold for the water (it just wasn’t our luck), and then headed back. We took the dog for a long walk around the neighborhood to wrap up the evening.
Dinner
If you’re not staying at the beach that evening, there are some great places to grab dinner. We ate at Cowgirl Kitchen in Rosemary Beach. The food was pretty average, didn’t stand out too much, but still good and got us back out of Carillon for the evening.
Day 4
The dreaded final day. Depending on your commute time home, your plans can differ. But we recommend squeezing in these final things before heading out:
Sunrise
Sunsets are never to be missed, but neither are sunrises. The beach is quiet, the sky gorgeous, and it’s the best way to say goodbye to the water. Stick around and play in the water if you have time! We wish we did.
Breakfast
Try one final breakfast spot before heading out! Or stick to your regular (we did!)
Say Goodbye to the Emerald Coast and Head Home
It was so sad leaving. I felt like we didn’t get to do as much as I wanted thanks to the weather, but I know we’ll be back.
Have you been to 30A? What were some of your must-dos and could-do-withouts? Tell us!
The Misadventurers 