7 Exciting Activities to Check Out Along 30A

Scenic Highway 30A is 24 miles of scenic roadway that runs along the Gulf of Mexico coastline. It connects several small beach towns where you can stop to unwind. It is one of the most traveled byways in the country and attracts tourists from all over the world.

There are many wonderful coastal towns along 30A. Dune Allen Beach real estate has something for everyone and all budgets. Homes are perched atop sea dunes and around Stallworth Lake. Alys Beach is home to luxury beach communities.

There is a lot to enjoy along Scenic Highway 30A in Florida. Here are the top seven activities on our list.

Let’s face it — the best part of 30A is the soft, white sand and the crystal-clear water. Just about every evening provides beautiful sunsets to watch. Grayton Beach State Park has one the most pristine beaches in the country and also has fishing, paddling, and trails through coastal forests.

There are many areas with public beach access along the coastline. Some of the points with the most services available include Santa Clara Regional Access at Seagrove Beach, Legion Park Bay Access at Miramar Beach, Dune Allen Regional Access at Dune Allen, Cessna Landing at Santa Rosa Beach, and Blue Mountain Regional Access at Blue Mountain Beach.

There are a lot of bike trails you can explore along 30A. One of the most notable is the Timpoochee Trail, a paved, 18-mile bike trail that follows 30A and connects the beach communities along the Scenic Highway. It is relatively flat and runs from Dune Allen to Inlet Beach. It winds past the coastal dune lakes and through beach communities.

If you take the Topsail Hill Preserve State Park exit, you will bike through old-growth coastal forests and three dune lakes. Make a stop at Dune Allen Regional Beach Access to enjoy the view of the Gulf of Mexico and Dune Allen Beach real estate.

The Coastal Dune Lakes is a rare natural phenomenon that only occurs in a few locations in the world. The lakes were formed by winds redistributing the sand and creating shallow lakes that are 10,000 years old. Because they are so close to the sea, heavy rain can cause seawater to flow into the freshwater lakes and vice versa. This is called an “outfall,” and it creates an ecosystem that is home to both freshwater and saltwater species.

The water in the lakes varies from significantly saline to completely fresh and everything in between. There are 15 coastal dune lakes along 30A — some are near homes for sale in Alys Beach, and one of the larger ones is in Grayton Beach State Park.

Choctawhatchee Bay is one of the most interesting places to fish. It is a huge bay, but it’s also shallow, which is perfect for fly fishing. Twice a day, water rushes through the Gulf of Mexico and brings schools of fish. Further in the bay, you can find redfish and speckled trout. Further into the Gulf, you have the chance to find grouper, mahi-mahi, and red snapper.

You can take a dolphin cruise or swim tour to see the bottle-nose dolphin habitats. These curious creatures may come up close to you but do not touch or feed them. There are canoes you can rent in many of the public entrances and the different state parks along the coastline. You can also try stand-up paddleboarding or kayaking, all close to Dune Allen Beach real estate.

There are so many wonderful local boutiques to explore in the beachside towns along 30A. Central Square Records is an independent record store with a great selection of vinyl. Sundog Books and The Hidden Lantern are locally owned bookstores and the perfect place to find your next favorite beach read. The Art of Simple is an eclectic gift store of curiosities and necessities. Lola’s is a home accent store featuring items for the coastal lifestyle. Silver Sands Premium Outlets has close to 100 stores to explore with all the top brands. On the other end of the spectrum, there are lots of unique antique stores to explore.

 

There is something for every foodie in 30A, from breweries to comfort food, wine bars, food trucks, dessert havens, and so much more. You will not leave your trip down 30A hungry. In Defuniak Springs, you will find Bogey’s Bar & Restaurant, which specializes in serving fresh food and providing a full bar. Café Nola is Cajun dining at its best. The Red Bar in Grayton Beach has a live jazz band and a very eclectic atmosphere. Cracking is a breakfast and lunch restaurant where you will find crawfish benedict, fried green tomatoes, and lobster gouda grits — yum!

The design trend of New Urbanism began in 30A with Robert Davis and his wife when he designed and developed the town of Seaside. He created it so that everything in the community could be reached without ever getting into your car. Instead of having areas for living, areas for shopping, and areas for working, everything is within reach. In these New Urban communities, you can walk to the grocery store, to work, to entertainment venues, and shopping.

Seaside has nine unique beach pavilions, quaint cottages, cobblestone streets, and white picket fences. The towns of Rosemary Beach, WaterColor, and Alys Beach along 30A were also designed with New Urbanism principles.

Melissa Clements is happy to answer your questions about the coastal lifestyle and real estate opportunities along 30A. An experienced real estate agent with in-depth knowledge about the local area, she’s an expert at helping people find the best real estate to fit their residential needs and investment goals.