Santa Rosa Beach is the heart of Florida’s famed Highway 30A—32 miles of walkable town centers, dune-backed beaches, and rare coastal dune lakes. Powdery quartz sand squeaks underfoot, and turquoise water glows in the sun. The pace is unrushed: bike to breakfast, paddle at noon, then toast sunset on a Gulf-front deck.

Much of its beauty is protected. Grayton Beach State Park and Topsail Hill Preserve safeguard towering dunes and mirror-still lakes like Western Lake and Campbell Lake. These brackish waters are globally rare and perfect for calm paddles. New Urbanist towns—Seaside, WaterColor, Alys Beach, and Rosemary Beach—bring cobbled lanes, outdoor concerts, and stellar dining.

Expect warm, humid summers and sublime shoulder seasons (April–May, September–October). Beach flags matter; double red means the Gulf is closed. From May to October, sea turtles nest—dim lights at night and fill any beach holes. Bring a car for flexibility, then switch to bikes once you’re settled.

Santa Rosa Beach

Welcome to the 30A stretch where laid-back Grayton meets polished Seaside and Mediterranean-inspired Alys and Rosemary Beach. Each neighborhood has a personality: Grayton is artsy and salt-of-the-earth; WaterColor is family-forward; Seaside is postcard-perfect; Alys is gleaming white architecture and courtyards; Rosemary is intimate and walkable with a delicious dining scene.

• Top sights: Grayton Beach State Park, Topsail Hill Preserve, Eden Gardens State Park, Western Lake, Seaside Amphitheatre, Alys Beach courtyards, Rosemary Beach boardwalks.
• Best activities: Paddleboard on Western Lake, cycle the Timpoochee Trail, bay fishing on Choctawhatchee Bay, surf-casting at sunrise, sunset rooftop dining, live music at Gulf-front grills.
• Local flavor: Gouda grits at Great Southern Café, oysters and live music at Shunk Gulley, fresh catch at Stinky’s Fish Camp, pastries and coffee at Black Bear Bread Co., rooftop views at Pescado and Bud & Alley’s.

Where to stay: For a walk-everywhere base, look in Seaside or WaterColor; for quiet, try Blue Mountain or Dune Allen; for design-forward ambiance, Alys or Rosemary on the east end.

• Browse Santa Rosa Beach vacation rentals on VRBO (cottages near beach access, lake-view homes, family townhomes).
• See hotels and resorts on Hotels.com (condo resorts with pools, boutique inns).

Getting there: Fly into ECP (Panama City Beach; ~35–45 minutes), VPS (Destin–Fort Walton; ~50–60 minutes), or PNS (Pensacola; ~90 minutes). Roundtrip fares from major U.S. hubs typically range $150–$450+ depending on season.

• Search flights on Trip.com or find deals on Kiwi.com. Rent a car at the airport for beach hopping and state park access.

Local tips: Bike rentals run ~$25–$45/day; SUP rentals ~$40–$60 for 2 hours. State park entry is usually $4–$6 per vehicle. For farmers markets, hit Seaside (Sat mornings) and Rosemary (Sun). The 30A Songwriters Festival (January) and Digital Graffiti at Alys Beach (late spring) are community favorites.

Bonus inspiration (outside Florida): These popular Viator tours are in Sonoma County/Napa Valley, California—great if you pair this beach trip with a future wine country getaway.

• Russian River Kayak Tour at the Beautiful Sonoma Coast — Guided paddling amid seals and coastal bluffs.

  

• Classic Safari Adventure at Safari West — Open-air safari through a 400-acre preserve.

  

Day 1 — Arrival, toes-in-the-sand sunset, and Seaside flavors

Morning: Travel day. If you arrive early, grab coffee and a biscuit at Sunrise Coffee Co. in Gulf Place for a mellow first taste of 30A.

Afternoon: Check into your rental or hotel. Stretch your legs with a beach walk from WaterColor to Seaside; the water’s color shift is mesmerizing on sunny days. Browse Seaside’s square and indie shops, then cool off with a frozen lemonade at Frost Bites (Airstream Row).

Evening: Catch your first 30A sunset from Bud & Alley’s rooftop in Seaside—order peel-and-eat shrimp and watch the bell ring at sundown. Prefer something quieter? Head west to Shunk Gulley in Gulf Place for oysters (try the baked 30A Duchesse) and live music.

Day 2 — Grayton Beach State Park and Western Lake paddleboarding

Morning: Fuel up at Black Bear Bread Co. (Grayton) with a kouign-amann and cold brew. Rent a YOLO board or kayak at the park or nearby outfitters and paddle Western Lake, a rare coastal dune lake that mirrors the sky and flows to the Gulf after heavy rains.

Afternoon: Picnic and swim at Grayton Beach State Park; the sand here is often less crowded than the town access points. Stroll the Grayton Beach Creative District—pop into The Shard Shop for a hands-on glass art class or browse Justin Gaffrey Gallery’s coastal-inspired works.

Evening: Dinner at The Red Bar (a Grayton icon) for crab cakes and nightly live tunes. Alternatively, Chiringo serves bright, beachy bowls and fish tacos with a casual vibe perfect for families.

Day 3 — Topsail Hill Preserve: dunes, lakes, and Dune Allen eats

Morning: Grab a hearty breakfast at The Perfect Pig (Gulf Place)—think brown sugar bacon and fluffy biscuits. Drive to Topsail Hill Preserve; hike the Tram Road and Deer Track Trail to Campbell Lake, then continue to the wide, undeveloped beach backed by majestic dunes.

Afternoon: Rent bikes from the camp store and cruise the park’s paved paths or relax on the quiet beach. Birders: look for ospreys, plovers, and black skimmers. Stop by Distillery 98 on your way back for a quick tasting of their local vodka (designated driver needed).

Evening: Seafood feast at Stinky’s Fish Camp—signature “Stinky’s Stew,” fried green tomatoes, and whatever snapper special the kitchen is raving about. Nightcap with an ice cream cone from Blue Mountain Creamery up the road.

Day 4 — Bike the Timpoochee Trail from Seaside to Rosemary

Morning: Coffee at Amavida in Seaside, then pick up bikes and roll east on the Timpoochee Trail. Pause at Seagrove Beach for a quick shell hunt, then continue to Alys Beach to wander its courtyards and limestone passages—bring your camera.

Afternoon: Reach Rosemary Beach for lunch: La Crema (tapas and chocolate fondue) or Citizen (modern coastal plates). Window-shop along Main Street; if it’s Sunday, explore the Rosemary Beach Farmers Market for small-batch sauces, breads, and fresh produce.

Evening: Sunset cocktails at Pescado’s rooftop (21+ after 4 pm) with Gulf views; book ahead. For dinner, choose Surfing Deer back in Seagrove—creative Gulf cuisine like miso-glazed fish and charred octopus—or make it a relaxed pizza night at Pizza by the Sea.

Day 5 — Gulf fishing and a laid-back afternoon on the west end

Morning: Head out on a nearshore charter from Grayton Beach for redfish, snapper, or mackerel (private boats often run $1,000–$1,500 for 4–6 hours; shared trips are more budget-friendly). Not into boats? Try surf casting at sunrise—ask a local tackle shop for pompano rigs and sand fleas.

Afternoon: Lunch at Local Catch Bar & Grill for blackened fish tacos and a local beer (Grayton Beer Company or Idyll Hounds). Spend a lazy afternoon on the sand near Dune Allen, or lounge by the pool back at your rental.

Evening: Grab a sunset table at The Bay on the Choctawhatchee Bay—order the spicy tuna roll and their wood-fired whole fish when available. Kids can play on the small bay beach while you linger over a cocktail.

Day 6 — Eden Gardens, bay paddling, and WaterColor evening

Morning: Tour Eden Gardens State Park, home to the moss-draped live oaks and the historic Wesley House (check daily tour hours). It’s a peaceful counterpoint to beach days and a favorite for photography.

Afternoon: Launch a kayak or SUP on Hogtown Bayou for glassy bay paddling—look for dolphins and pelicans. If you prefer land, browse WaterColor shops and grab an afternoon treat at Scratch Biscuit Kitchen.

Evening: Dinner at FOOW (Fish Out of Water) in WaterColor—gulf views, fresh oysters, and a solid kids’ menu. Stroll the WaterColor beach boardwalk under the stars; on concert nights, catch a show on the Seaside Amphitheatre lawn (bring a blanket).

Day 7 — Coffee, markets, last dips, and departure

Morning: Brunch at Great Southern Café in Seaside (the famous Grits à Ya Ya—smoked gouda, bacon, and blackened shrimp—is a must). If it’s Saturday, swing through the Seaside Farmers Market for small-batch jams and Gulf Coast honey.

Afternoon: Final beach dip or a leisurely bike down the Timpoochee Trail before checkout. Drive to ECP/VPS/PNS for your flight home—aim for the airport 2 hours before departure in peak season. Search last-minute options with Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Evening: If you have a late flight, grab an early dinner at Chanticleer Eatery (big salads, hot pressed sandwiches) before returning the rental car.

Seven days on 30A delivers a satisfying rhythm: sunrise coffee, bikes and boards by day, and golden-hour dinners steps from the surf. From protected state parks and rare dune lakes to chef-driven kitchens and lively markets, Santa Rosa Beach rewards curiosity at an unhurried pace.

Whether you come for family beach time or a romantic escape, you’ll leave with sand in your shoes, a camera full of sunsets, and a promise to return in shoulder season for even gentler days.