October 6, 2023Don’t share this blog! They’re secrets, after all.
Want to know where that sneaky beach access is? Or that low-key eatery or watering hole where locals hang? Of course you do.
But let’s keep it hush-hush. If you’re looking for 30A vacation rentals, or just curious about Florida’s panhandle, consider this your exclusive invitation to explore the lesser-known side of South Walton.
These best-kept secrets and quirky little-known facts will make your Emerald Coast trip truly unforgettable.
But remember, we didn’t tell you!
Slightly off the beaten path.
Deer Lake State Park isn’t hiding, it just doesn’t get as much attention as Grayton Beach State Park. With fewer folks, it may be easier to enjoy the nature trails, the boardwalks, and getting lost in the beauty of these pristine Emerald Coast sandscapes.
It’s no secret that paddleboarding is a blast! But you may not know about the tranquility of 30A Paddleboard Yoga, offering paddleboard yoga classes, captivating sunset paddle tours (there’s even a happy hour paddle), personalized paddle lessons, rejuvenating retreats, and exclusive private parties.
In its 31st year, the beloved Flutterby Festival celebrates the migration of the Monarch Butterfly through our area. Join us for kid’s art activities, live performances, lawn games, a student art exhibit, a curated professional artist market, a butterfly parade, science station, book nook and more! Happy travels, monarchs!
Learn how to soar over the water safely and properly with a private lesson from Epic eFoils. They bring the exciting experience of flying hydrofoil surfboards, the most entertaining and fascinating sport in the country, to the beauty of 30A!
Footgolf?
Watch this video to learn what happens when golf meets soccer, in 30A’s coolest hybrid sport! Open to all ages, although children must be accompanied by adults. Golf attire is preferred. 850.213.5090
Off the beaten path, Western Pleasure Riding Stable will have you (and your horse) galloping through the trails, absorbing the beauty and serenity, while learning a little background and history behind it all. A nice departure from the beach.
Underwater, there is no beaten path. Explore artfully designed reefs, arranged into various sea creature shapes, by yourself or on a guided tour. The four snorkel sites can be reached by kayak, paddleboard, or a medium-distance swim with a personal floatation device. Each reef reaches depths of about 10-20 feet. Sweet!
The four days of epicurean excellence gives everyone the opportunity to sample some of the world’s finest wine.
This year’s Harvest Wine & Food Festival features wine dinners, the famous Grand Tasting, cocktail-inspired events, the newly reimagined Harvest After Dark, and more, while raising money for a good cause.
Try this not-so-known paddleboard route.
Up for a paddling adventure? Just follow the arrows through the dunes, starting at Grayton Beach State Park, where board and kayak rental is a breeze, and ending near Garfield St Beach Access.
Little known facts.
White Quartz: 30A’s pristine white sands aren’t just ordinary. They’re nearly 100% quartz fragments, from the Appalachian Mountains. Erosion over centuries brought it to our pristine shores. Now, that’s a 30A secret!
200 Miles of Trails: 30A state parks are a hiker’s and biker’s paradise. There’s a whole world beyond the beaches, with adventure just around the corner. Explore the marshes, woodlands, boardwalks, and sandy paths. Also, the Timpoochee Trail, the 30A Bike Path, parallels the 30A highway for 18 miles!
No skyscrapers here! Since 2006, 30A has maintained its quaint charm by restricting buildings to just 4 stories.
Birthplace of New Urbanism: Seaside, one of the beach communities on Highway 30A, set the stage for the New Urbanism architectural movement. Alys Beach and Rosemary Beach soon followed.
“The Truman Show” Set: Relive Jim Carrey’s iconic scenes. Places like Modica Market still stand as a testament to 30A’s cinematic history.
Off the eaten path.
Inspired by the unique meeting places found in every culture (izakayas, pubs, taverns, tapas bars, watering holes), Farm & Fire strives to craft a diverse menu and dining experience. Enjoy a spectacular view of the Choctawhatchee Bay from both the dining room and intimate, cozy bar.
Occupying the space below the popular Farm & Fire restaurant and speakeasy, North Beach Social reflects the natural beauty of its scenic surroundings, namely some of the best sunsets overlooking the bay in South Walton. Outside seating is aplenty at the bar and deck with a large white sand beach where kids and adults can play.
The restaurant has the feel of a quaint New England clam shack but with Florida charm. If you happen to catch some redfish or grouper on the boat one day, you can take it with you to Grayton Seafood Co. and they’ll cook it for you however you want – a well-kept local secret.
Beach & Brew is a celebration of the diversity and uniqueness of both 30A, and the world of great beer. Enjoy unique wines, craft soda, and craft beer at its best, available both on tap and to-go. Order pints, half-pints, tasting flights, and growlers to go!
Another great Pecan Jacks review: “Maybe the nicest people I have dealt with when getting ice cream for my wife and child. They have tons of patience and made the ice cream with smiley faces and things like that. It was amazing too. It didn’t taste like normal ice cream. My mint chocolate was much richer and tastier than normal mint ice cream.” – William
On the path, just impossible to find.
If getting there is half the fun, then Crabby Steve’s is bound to be a blast. Tucked away, right on the beach, behind High Pointe Resort in Seacrest Beach, Florida, this is a lesser-known treasure, that needs special directions just to find.
30A’s most secret bar even has its own disclaimer:
FULL SUPER-SECRET BAR DISCLAIMER: Some residents
of High Pointe Resort strongly maintains that Crabby Steve’s is reserved exclusively for High Pointe owners and guests. However, Crabby Steve’s Facebook page says that
walk-ins are welcome. We don’t know the full truth,
but what good is a secret bar without a little mystery?
Nestled and tucked away, hidden gems from Oversee.
Welcome to SeaGroovin‘, a gorgeous Oversee sanctuary, resting on the edge of a rare coastal dune lake. Paddle from your lakefront paradise on Eastern Lake, directly to the gulf!
Next to a nature reserve, Relaxation Station 30A sits on the end of a very quiet street, tucked away in a beautiful, secluded section of WaterColor, a premier 30A neighborhood.
