When it comes to exploring the hidden wonders of 30A, most visitors need a little guidance on where to start. That’s where 30A’s abundance of local guides and tour services come into play, as well as attractions you’ll only find in 30A! Read on below to learn more about the unique and awesome experiences you can have in 30A!
Salt Air Bike Rentals
Prominence on 30A recommends Salt Air Bike Rentals for an amazing biking experience in 30A. Salt Air offers a wide variety of bike rentals and pedal-assisted bikes for you and your family to enjoy! This includes family beach cruisers, kid bikes and townie 3-speed cruisers. Choose from their selection of single-speed beach cruisers with pedal brakes, then have your rental bike delivered to your vacation rental, complete with free helmets, baskets, and locks. Salt Air Bike Rentals offers visitors awesome customer service with their bike rentals.
Coastal Dune Lakes
30A is famous for its incredible phenomenon of coastal dune lakes. These are so rare that there are only four countries in the world where they occur! In the U.S., you can only find coastal dune lakes along the Gulf Coast and in one single pocket in Oregon, with fifteen of the nation’s coastal dune lakes all located in South Walton and the 30A area. These gorgeous lakes have been around for as long as ten thousand years! This exotic wetland is from sand being redistributed by the wind to create shallow basin lakes teeming with verdant greenery and wildlife.
Eden Gardens
This serene park is Nestled along the shores of Choctawhatchee Bay and the Tucker Bayou. It spans over the course of one hundred and twenty-four acres in the middle of South Walton. Check out the public grounds for a particularly wonderful experience.
Longleaf Greenway Trail
This extensive eight-mile-long trail runs from west to east through the Point Washington State Forest, with primary access to the trail located along County Road 395 at Eastern Lake. The trailhead has ample parking and picnic tables. Parking costs $2.00 per person for day-use parking, with children under the age of six admitted for free. Annual passes are also available for as little as $30.00 at the Point Washington State Forest field office. The trail is named for the Longleaf pine trees that once dominated the landscape of the South.
Red Bar
If there’s one must-try destination in 30A, it’s unanimously Red Bar. Locals and visitors alike flock to this one-of-a-kind Grayton Beach destination for its delicious eats and its incredible nightlife. You’re bound to spot a celebrity or two while enjoying amazing live jazz music from the house band. Chow down on shrimp pasta, hearty chicken, and spicy crawfish in this eclectic watering hole.
YOLO Board
Sporting the phrase du jour of 2007, “You Only Live Once,” YOLO Boards takes that carefree philosophy and translates it to a passion for providing visitors with fantastic stand-up paddleboarding experiences. Rent a stand-up paddleboard, buy some new gear, or sign up for some lessons in Miramar Beach.
Golfing and Golf Courses
30A is a fantastic destination for golf enthusiasts. Origins is a Davis Love III-designed course that is fun for all ages and skill levels. Shark’s Tooth Golf Club, designed by golfing legend Greg Norman, and the Tom Fazio-designed Camp Creek Golf Club are both renowned for their natural beauty, but require a private membership. If you can get in, you’ll be rewarded with grounds that have hosted U.S. Open Qualifiers and have won many accolades.
Deer Lake State Park
This beautiful park holds the freshwater coastal dune lake known as Deer Lake, as well as pristine beaches where you won’t find as many crowds. Take a walk through the park’s incredible ecosystems of coastal plants, delicate butterflies, vibrant wildflowers, and awe-inspiring birds before settling in for a lovely picnic outdoors.
Butterfly Bike & Kayak Rentals
Butterfly Bike & Kayak Rentals is your go-to destination for rental bikes and kayaks in the Santa Rosa Beach area. You can even purchase bikes and kayaks, or have your personal bike repaired at the store’s full-service bike shop.
Seaside Farmer’s Market
If you’re into local goods and fresh food, Seaside Farmer’s Market is the place for you. Peruse through the stalls of local farmers and homegrown goods in the scenic setting of Seaside. Fun fact: Seaside is where the iconic film The Truman Show was filmed. The farmer’s market is held each Saturday from 8:00am to 12:00pm.
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park boasts some of the most incredible dunes in 30A, with dunes towering as high as twenty-five feet tall. Come here for unfettered views of the gulf, impressively beautiful coastal dune scenery, rare wildlife, and lovely beaches.
Stand-up Paddleboarding
Unlike other seaside destinations, the Gulf Coast is renowned for its calm, clear waters and gentle waves. While this spells dismal surfing conditions, the water is just right for stand-up paddleboarding, a leisurely yet invigorating sport that is often easier and more enjoyable than surfing. Go paddleboarding in the Gulf of Mexico, or at one of the many coastal dune lakes that dot Highway 30A.
Eastern Lake Bike & Hike Trail
At the easternmost end of Point Washington State Forest, you’ll encounter the beautiful coastal dune lake known as Eastern Lake. Pay the $2.00 per person fee to enter and you’ll be rewarded with stunning views. You can bike or hike your way around this unique lake’s landscape of coastal pines, cypress ponds, sandhills, flatwoods, and wet prairies. Keep an eye out for extraordinary local wildlife, from alligators to deer and coyotes.
Sculpt Studio
Keep in beach-body shape with the help of the experts at Sculpt Studio! They offer yoga-based classes incorporating light weights and cardio. They frequently host classes on The Big Chill (formerly known as The Hub) stage, so make sure to keep an eye out for their class schedule!
Bamboo Bicycle Company
Bamboo Bicycle Company offers bike rentals for riders of all ages, from kids’ trailers and tag-a-longs to tandem bikes and baby joggers. You’ll find Bamboo Bicycle Company in Rosemary Beach.
Timpoochee Trail and Point Washington State Forest
Timpoochee Trail is an eighteen-mile-long trail that runs the entire length of Highway 30A. This allows you to embrace the small-town atmosphere of 30A while enjoying a leisurely bike ride across multiple beach towns. Being up close rather than in the seat of a car, allows you to see what makes 30A so wonderful! The trail also diverts into the gorgeous Point Washington State Forest along the Eastern Lake Trail, where you can tailor your adventure to a three-mile, five-mile, or ten-mile loop.
See Truman’s Hometown in Seaside
As we mentioned before, the quaint and charming town of Seaside served as the “too good to be true” setting of the iconic Jim Carrey movie, The Truman Show. The combination of pastel houses, white picket fences, and charming cobblestone streets make the town famous for its nostalgic perfectionism. Spend the day perusing through the adorable boutiques and treat yourself to a sunset dinner at Bud and Alley’s. End your night with a movie or theater performance under the twinkling stars at Seaside Amphitheater or Seaside Repertory Theater.
Fishing on the Emerald Coast
30A is renowned for its incredible, record-breaking sport fishing that draws in anglers from across the globe. While there aren’t any harbors in 30A, you can rent out a fishing charter in Grayton Beach and embark on a deep sea fishing adventure to catch blackfin tuna, mahi mahi, grouper, wahoo, red snapper, flounder, and more. You can alternatively fish from the shore to catch pompano, redfish, and speckled trout along the beach or Choctawhatchee Bay.
Grayton Beach State Park
Home to an expansive two thousand acres of park land, Grayton Beach State Park has something for everyone. You can fish, canoe, or kayak on Western Lake, or go hiking or biking through the incredible coastal forests. You won’t want to miss this lovely state park!
Big Daddy’s Bike Shop
This Blue Mountain Beach bike shop not only offers bike rentals and free local delivery service, but also has a full line of ocean kayaks for rent or for purchase.
30A Pontoon Rental
Ready to ride in style? 30A Pontoon Rental is now taking reservations for their super fun slingshot rentals. If you have never been on one, it’s a must! These sleek, fun, eye catching vehicles are available May 20th, 2021 starting at $375 a day or $1,500 a week. Contact 30A Pontoon Rental today to make your reservation and they can have a slingshot waiting in the driveway upon your arrival at 30A!
Let the Vacation Experts at Prominence on 30A Help You Plan Your Most Memorable 30A Stay Yet!
Our team of reservation specialists is standing by, eager to lend you their insider’s knowledge of 30A to help you have the best experience possible! Call or email our office and ask about reserving your accommodations with us today!