30A Florida Family Vacation Guide 2020

The beaches are open, vacation rentals just opened this week and people are planning some serious vacations to 30A! This area, tucked between Destin and Panama City, Florida is our favorite spots to visit and we were really blessed to get in a trip for Spring Break this year. We also got to stay quite awhile longer once quarantine started and it was the best way I can think of to start off this weird time!

30A Vacation Guide 2020

I decided that I wasn’t going to write this post about our trip until people could plan their vacations again, so now is the time! We started going to 30A in 2006 and have been at least once a year since. I’m hoping many of you get to visit this little slice of paradise; maybe this summer!

{one current note. I have seen residents of the area asking that if you are coming for a vacation, that you bring the supplies you can, as their stores are short on certain items, just like ours are right now!} 

Where to Stay

This is a question I get all the time. We have a family place there, so don’t need to rent when we go. I can tell you, you can’t go wrong on 30A! I love the quietness of Santa Rosa and Blue Mountain Beach, the walkability to shops and restaurants and the feel of Rosemary Beach and the beautiful architecture of Alys Beach. Seaside is packed with little restaurants and quaint houses, but it’s also packed with people. I like staying away from there and just driving in to walk around. All the towns are along the most beautiful, caribbean like ocean water!

Where to Eat

Surfing Deer is a standing favorite on 30A. If you’re looking for amazing food and a beautiful outdoor dining space, this is your spot! I love that this restaurant is family friendly earlier in the night, but perfect and romantic for date night. We’ve had plenty of both there.

This year was our first time at The Hub and it won’t be the last. There is a main lawn area and a stage for music, surrounded by shops and small restaurants. You can grab food and eat outside at the long picnic tables, or inside of some of the restaurant options. We grabbed burgers and fries from Duos, but with tacos, bbq, pizza and seafood options, there’s something for everyone!

North Beach Tortilla Co was a pleasant surprise for all of us! Located on the sound in Santa Rosa Beach, the views are amazing and the sand provided lots of entertainment for the kids while we waited on our open air table. I was really excited to learn that almost the entire menu is gluten free! Throw in a massive tequila menu with delicious margaritas and it was a dinner dream.

If you have a large family or group, FOOW (Fish Out Of Water) is prepared for you! The hanging swings in the lobby prepare you for the comfortable, coastal feel. If you can eat outside, you will have beautiful views and sounds of the gulf. The food is delicious and the southern themed desserts are not to be missed!

Looking for takeout? Seagrove Village Market Cafe is the spot! They also have an indoor and small outdoor eating area, but their pickup window was our choice to bring back home and eat on the patio. My picks are the fresh grouper sandwich and hushpuppies!

If you have a house you can cook in, stop by Goatfeather’s for some fresh seafood. Their shrimp is something we always get for a shrimp boil and we also get them to steam some for us to eat as pull and peel!

What to Do

You’ll probably spend plenty of time with your toes in the sand and your little ones running through the waves. But there is still plenty of other things to see and do along 30A.

Rent Bikes

We had THE BEST time biking 30A this trip! We’ve never done much family bike riding, so I honestly wasn’t sure how it was going to go. But there’s a sidewalk along the entire length of the road, through all the different towns, so I knew we wanted to give it a shot. We got bikes for the whole family from Rent Gear Here and they were amazing. They delivered the bikes to us and picked them up at the end of the trip. We had a Weehoo pull behind for Lincoln and he absolutely loved being up in a seat and “helping” with the pedaling! We had some leisure rides for fun and some faster, workout kind of rides, but we totaled over 50 miles during our trip!

Biking is a great option, especially now, while some of the other major attractions might be closed or servicing a smaller amount of people. Rent Gear Here also rents paddle boards, kayaks, baby gear, golf carts and can set up a whole beach bonfire for you!

Grab Some Gear

If you haven’t been to 30A, you’re going to want it and want souvenirs. If you have been, I’m sure you already have some gear and are going to want more! Hey 30A has several stores along the strip that we like to shop at. They sell online, too, if you want to prep for an upcoming trip! I have a couple pieces from their Beach Happy line and it literally makes me smile, thinking about the beach now that we’re back home.

Listen To Live Music

There are so many places that have outdoor, live music. One of my favorites is the Gully Amphitheater at GulfPlace in Santa Rosa Beach. We’ve heard many varieties of music there and it’s huge! The Hub and Seaside Amphitheater are also really good, family friendly spots. The Red Bar is being rebuilt (to open this summer) and they are famous for a great nightlife for once the kids go to bed! You never know what famous musician will show up there!

Explore

There is so much to see and do along 30A! Park the car and walk around! There are playgrounds in most little cities, including a really great one in Alys Beach that my kids love. Grayton Beach State Park has plenty of wildlife and a 4 mile, off road trail.

Eat Donuts

This might be one of my favorite traditions! The Donut Hole serves all meals, but we’ve only ever been there for their famous donuts. Usually one of us will sneak out early and go grab them, since they do tend to sell out of some of the more popular flavors. My favorite is the red velvet!

Hang With Luke Bryan

Okay not entirely true, but he has opened his own cigar bar, Shore Thing Cigars. It’s located in The Hub and is adorable! It’s not just for cigars, though. Sit at the bar and have a beer or glass of wine, of if cigars are your thing, there are even some keepsake Luke Bryan exclusives.

Now get out there! Book some time in the sun to soak up the vitamin D and fresh air. This place brings so much peace and calm and we’re going to try to sneak in another trip before summer ends!

Oh, and if you’re like me and can’t resist family matching suits, check out Cabana Life! It’s hard to find mom and son matching, much less the whole family!