Santa Rosa Beach anchors Florida’s scenic Highway 30A—26 miles of sugar-white sand, emerald water, rare coastal dune lakes, and a string of thoughtfully designed beach towns. Seaside ushered in New Urbanism in the 1980s, while neighboring Grayton, WaterColor, Alys, and Rosemary each bring their own architecture, art, and food scenes. Nature frames everything here: long boardwalks over dunes, herons stalking in lakes, and Gulf sunsets that stop conversations mid-sentence.

Fun facts to stoke your curiosity: the coastal dune lakes along 30A are globally rare, forming only in a handful of places on Earth. Seaside’s pastel cottages doubled as the backdrop for The Truman Show. And if you hear locals say “nice dogs, strange people,” you’ve found Grayton Beach’s unofficial motto.

Practical notes: spring and fall offer warm water and lighter crowds; summer is hot and festive; winter is mellow with brilliant sunsets. Observe beach flag warnings, “Leave No Trace” rules, and sea turtle nesting protections (May–Oct). A car is helpful, bikes are delightful, and reservations are wise at popular restaurants.

Santa Rosa Beach

Base yourself in central Santa Rosa Beach to roam the 30A corridor with ease. Spend mornings on quiet dunes, afternoons paddling coastal lakes, and evenings grazing seafood patios under string lights. The Timpoochee Trail (a paved, 19-mile multi-use path) ties everything together—perfect for cruisers and e-bikes.

• Top sights: Grayton Beach State Park, Western Lake, Eden Gardens State Park, Topsail Hill Preserve, Seaside Amphitheater, Alys Beach’s Caliza district, Rosemary Beach’s cobblestone lanes.
• Signature activities: beach days, stand-up paddleboard on dune lakes, coastal hikes, bike rides along Timpoochee Trail, bayfront sunsets by the 331 bridge, farmers markets, and a permitted beach bonfire with a local outfitter.
• Where to stay: Beach cottages and condos abound; look near Seagrove, WaterColor, Blue Mountain, Gulf Place, or Rosemary for specific vibes.

Stay here: Browse vacation homes and resorts on VRBO Santa Rosa Beach or compare hotels on Hotels.com Santa Rosa Beach.

Getting there: Fly into ECP (Panama City Beach, ~35–45 min drive), VPS (Destin–Fort Walton, ~50–65 min), or PNS (Pensacola, ~1.5 hours). Search fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Typical domestic roundtrips run ~$150–$450; car rentals are ~$50–$90/day. Rideshare availability varies by season; parking along 30A is limited, so bikes are gold.

Day 1: Arrival, Gulf Air, and a Sunset Welcome

Afternoon: Arrive, pick up your car, and check in. Shake off travel with a stroll on the nearest public beach access—the sand here really does squeak. If you want an easy first sip, pop into Beach & Brew on 30A for a local draft or a cold brew coffee to-go.

Evening: Start strong with oysters and a view at Shunk Gulley in Gulf Place—solid raw bar, blackened grouper, live music most nights. Prefer old-Florida vibes? The Red Bar in Grayton is beloved for crab cakes, daily chalkboard menus, and a low-lit jazz buzz. Cap the night with a cone at Blue Mountain Creamery (seasonal) or a beachfront night walk under the Milky Way.

Day 2: Grayton Beach State Park and Western Lake

Morning: Coffee and a kouign-amann at Black Bear Bread Co. in Grayton. Then head into Grayton Beach State Park (entry ~$5–$6/vehicle). Rent a SUP or kayak near the WaterColor BoatHouse or from a local outfitter and paddle Western Lake—where tannin-stained freshwater mingles with the Gulf. Watch for herons and mullet jumping.

Afternoon: Lunch at The Red Bar if you didn’t go last night; otherwise try Chiringo for breezy tacos and a chilled rosé. Explore Grayton’s galleries and coastal cottages; swing by Idyll Hounds Brewing for a pint (their Divide and Conch’r IPA is a local staple).

Evening: Dinner at Blue Mabel in Blue Mountain for wood-smoked meats and elevated sides (the Brussels and mac are weekend-winner good). Sunset beach sit or a stroll down to the dune line—look for ghost crabs scuttling at dusk.

Day 3: Seaside, WaterColor, and the Timpoochee Trail

Morning: Rent bikes (cruisers or e-bikes) and ride the Timpoochee Trail. If it’s Saturday, swing by Seaside Farmers Market for local produce, jams, and pastries. Grab a seat at Great Southern Café—order the famous Grits à Ya Ya (shrimp, bacon, gouda grits) and a house-made lemonade.

Afternoon: Browse Sundog Books and Modica Market. Wander WaterColor’s boardwalks to the beach and lake overlooks. If you’re in a seafood mood, Bud & Alley’s Taco Bar or The Meltdown On 30A (grilled cheese Airstream) makes an easy, sun-friendly lunch.

Evening: Golden hour at Bud & Alley’s rooftop deck with a bell-ringing sunset tradition. For dinner, FOOW (Fish Out of Water) serves Gulf fish with a sweeping beach view—or book Surfing Deer in Seagrove for modern coastal plates and a lively patio. Nightcap: a soft-serve or shaved ice on Seaside’s square.

Day 4: Topsail Hill Preserve and a Classic 30A Beach Bonfire

Morning: Breakfast sandwiches and espresso at Black Bear’s Seaside stand, then drive to Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. Hike the dunes and coastal scrub, or rent bikes to reach remote beaches where the only soundtrack is shorebirds and surf.

Afternoon: Lunch at Stinky’s Fish Camp in Dune Allen—gumbo, fish of the day, and a lively bar. Linger at the adjacent coastal lake outflow, then nap/beach read back at your stretch of sand.

Evening: Book a permitted beach bonfire through a local vendor (they handle permits, setup, chairs, and s’mores). There’s nothing quite like stars over the Gulf, feet in the sand, and the soft pulse of the tide.

Day 5: Alys Beach and Rosemary Beach—Architecture, Shops, Rooftops

Morning: Start at Alys Beach with a cortado and breakfast bowl at Fonville Press Market + Café. Wander the whitewashed lanes and courtyards—part Mediterranean daydream, part modern sculpture garden. Visit NEAT Bottle Shop & Tasting Room for a late-morning tasting or mocktail flight.

Afternoon: Stroll into Rosemary Beach. Lunch at La Crema Tapas & Chocolate—share patatas bravas, serrano-wrapped dates, and end with warm chocolate fondue. Browse the square’s boutiques and pop into the bookstore.

Evening: Sunset cocktails at Pescado’s rooftop (make a res). For dinner, choose Pescado for crudo and day-boat fish, or Edwards Fine Food & Wine for a bistro feel. If you want live music after, head to The Big Chill (Watersound) for family-friendly shows on the green.

Day 6: Choctawhatchee Bay, Eden Gardens, and Bayfront Bites

Morning: Paddle the calm, clear shallows on the Choctawhatchee Bay side—great for beginners and dolphin sightings. North Beach Social is a relaxed base for breakfast tacos and toes-in-the-sand vibes.

Afternoon: Tour Eden Gardens State Park (entry ~$4). The 1897 Wesley House sits in live-oak grandeur draped with Spanish moss; the camellia and rose gardens feel timeless. Late lunch or early dinner at The Bay Restaurant by the 331 bridge—try the spicy tuna roll and wood-fired fish with a sunset view.

Evening: Sip local at Distillery 98’s tasting room or return to 30A for pizza and cocktails at Farm & Fire (bay view). If the sky is clear, a second sunset by the bridge often glows pink and gold on the water.

Day 7: Leisurely Morning, Last Bites, and Departure

Morning: Brunch at The Perfect Pig (Seagrove) for biscuits, bacon, and benedicts, or Amavida Coffee Roasters for ethically sourced espresso and a pastry. Dip in the Gulf one last time; scan for sand dollars in the swash line.

Afternoon: Quick souvenir run—local art in Grayton or a final flip through Sundog Books—then head to the airport. For flights, compare options on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Aim for ECP for the shortest drive; VPS and PNS can yield better fares.

Evening: Travel day—if you’re lingering, an early dinner at Cuvee 30A (Inlet Beach) nails a polished farewell with a Gulf Coast wine list.

Where to Eat and Drink: Local Favorites to Mix In All Week

• Breakfast/Coffee: Black Bear Bread Co. (kouign-amann, avocado toast), Amavida Coffee (single-origin espresso), Fonville Press (breakfast bowls, pastries).
• Lunch: Great Southern Café (Grits à Ya Ya), The Meltdown On 30A (gourmet grilled cheese), North Beach Social (casual bayside plates), Chiringo (tacos, beachy cocktails).
• Dinner: Bud & Alley’s (sunset deck, Gulf fish), Cafe Thirty-A (filet + tuna every night, half-price early bird entrée specials certain hours), Pescado (rooftop seafood), Stinky’s Fish Camp (gumbo, daily catch), Blue Mabel (smokehouse plates), Surfing Deer (modern coastal).
• Sweet treats: Blue Mountain Creamery (homemade ice cream), Modica Market (key lime pie and treats).
• Drinks: Idyll Hounds Brewing (locals’ favorite), NEAT (Alys tasting room), Beach & Brew on 30A (rotating taps).

How to Get Around and What Things Cost

• Transport: Car + bikes is ideal. Cruiser bikes ~$20–$35/day; e-bikes ~$55–$85/day. SUP/kayak rentals ~$25–$35/hour.
• Parks: State park entry ~$4–$6/vehicle. Eden Gardens house tour available seasonally; check on arrival.
• Beach bonfires: Outfitters typically charge ~$300–$600 for permits, setup, chairs, and s’mores for small groups.
• Dining: Casual lunches $15–$25; dinner entrées $25–$45 at popular spots; rooftop cocktails $12–$18.

Book Your Stay

• VRBO Santa Rosa Beach: Homes and condos steps from the sand or near the dune lakes.
• Hotels.com Santa Rosa Beach: Compare resorts and boutique stays across 30A towns.

Bonus (Optional): If You Add a Wine Country Stop on a Different Trip

These tours are in Sonoma/Napa, California—not in Florida—but they’re excellent if you plan a future wine country getaway. Each includes convenient pickup or expert guiding.

• Sonoma Wine Rides: Sonoma County Join-In Group Wine Tasting Tours — Relaxed small-winery tastings with a picnic-style day.

  

• Russian River Kayak Tour at the Beautiful Sonoma Coast — A scenic paddle with wildlife viewing along the river mouth.

  

• Best E-Bike Rental! Wine country fun — Explore Santa Rosa, CA, by e-bike; a great template for your 30A bike day.

  

After a week on 30A, you’ll have traced seashell arcs in the sand, pedaled from town to town, and tasted the Gulf in all its forms. Santa Rosa Beach rewards the unhurried: morning light on a dune lake, lunch under a live oak, a sunset that turns the water to glass. Keep this guide handy; 30A is the rare place you leave already planning your return.