30A is one of the hottest getaways on Florida’s Emerald Coast. People flock from all over for adorable architecture, pristine waters, and soft sand. With its growing popularity, many destinations are getting packed, such as Rosemary Beach, Alys Beach, Seaside, and more. When we were booking our trip, we were overwhelmed with options – and cost. Many rentals in Rosemary were way out of budget, however we didn’t want to sacrifice location on our trip. That’s when we found Carillon Beach.
Carillon is situated 8 minutes away from the center of Rosemary Beach, while still being quietly tucked away. Carillon has their own beach access as well, with far less crowds than neighboring towns. We booked it out of convenience, but fell in love the second we pulled in. Here are 5 reasons why you should book a stay in Carillon Beach the next time you visit 30A:
1. More Affordable
We booked a 3 night stay in Carillon Beach at the Inn & Resort for less than $800. Similar rentals in Rosemary would easily go for double that price. We had a wonderful view of the Lake Carillon and could hear the sea from our condo beyond. We also had a great view of all the lovely homes in Carillon that rival Rosemary for charm.
2. Just as Charming
When traveling to 30A, you don’t want to sacrifice charm. It’s part of the experience! Luckily, Carillon had all the charming architecture as comparable towns. We spent hours walking around and looking at homes with our pup. The vibes were immaculate.
3. Tons of Beach Access
Carillon has it’s own beach access points, several public and several private. Far more than Rosemary does, so you won’t be crowding around the entrance waiting your turn.
4. Less Crowded
This was a big one for us. We love people, but hate crowds. Luckily, Carillon was very quiet. We saw tons of families out and about, but the town didn’t feel crowded or loud with tourists. Plus, there were tons of open spots on the beach so we weren’t fighting for chairs or worrying about reservations. There was even a wedding going on in town, and still it was a quiet escape.
5. Conveniently Located
Let’s be real. We know why you’re going to 30A. You’ve seen the popular spots and definitely want to enjoy it. Luckily in Carillon, you’re not far from all of it. We actually spent a ton of our time driving in to Rosemary and walking around their shops, and it was so convenient to be close, yet separate at the same time.
Cons to Carillon
Like any vacation, there are positives and negatives to your stay. The downside to Carillon is that it didn’t have a ton of restaurants or shopping. So we did have to leave to do some things, but that was something we were willing to sacrifice for the savings we got on the inn. And that’s the only negative for our experience. If you aren’t renting a car or driving in, you may want to stay more centrally to where you’re plans are.
Carillon Beach is a special town by the sea, and somewhere we’ll definitely be returning. Have you stayed in Carillon?
The Misadventurers 