April 11, 2024Ah, the age-old quest for budget-friendly fun along 30A.
Well, good news, intrepid traveler. We’ve got the lowdown on how to have a blast without emptying your wallet.
From exploring state parks to snorkeling an underwater reef, there are plenty of ways to be entertained here without sacrificing your hard-earned clams.
Let’s pay less. And play more!
The Beach.
The beach! Where the sand is white and the admission fee is… well, nonexistent! While it may not cost a dime to stroll along the shore, resist the urge to splurge on beachside snacks, cocktails, or beach chairs.
BYOBC? Bring your own beach chair! And when bringing your own food to the beach, buy groceries outside 30A, where food prices tend to be cheaper. Or… your local 30A grocery store has pre-cut fruit you can grab on the go for a light snack everyone will love. Watermelon is a summertime favorite you can cut up at your Oversee vacation home before you head to the beach.
A beach sunset is a can’t-miss. Grab your libations of choice and head to the shoreline for a front-row seat to nature’s nightly masterpiece. A picnic basket (or small backpack cooler) and a blanket can add to your scenic evening. Just remember, while the sunset itself is free, those craft beers might put a dent in your “free” entertainment budget.
Biking.
Enjoy the flexibility to explore 30A at your own pace, with plenty of time to stop for shopping, swimming, drinks, and sunsets. Traffic and parking? Nope. Thirsty? Replace sugary, expensive drinks with ice water in a backpack bladder.
This paved 19-mile Timpoochee Trail runs the entire length of Highway 30A and provides a fantastic view of the area that can’t be seen by car. Not only will you get in some exercise, but you’ll have fun doing it! Bike rentals are available from several vendors along the trail and you can rent them by the day or the entire week.
As you browse the many quaint shops, boutiques and restaurants of Rosemary Beach from the comfort of a bike, slow things down a bit with a visit to the Hidden Lantern Book Store. Soon enough, you’ll stumble upon that idyllic hidden park bench in the shade, where your afternoon will just kinda melt away.
We know what caught your eye. That pool! Yeah, it looks great, but Serenity of Seagrove also has 4 complimentary bikes. Many homes do!
Paddleboarding.
If you’ve spent time on 30A, you know this coastal stretch showcases some of the most beautiful scenery in Northwest Florida. With lakes, bayous, bays, and the Gulf nearby, paddleboarding offers a wide range of spots to explore. This pic was taken from SeaGroovin‘, an Oversee lakefront house on Eastern Lake.
Many Oversee vacation homes have complimentary paddleboards, but renting equipment is minimal. La Dolce Vita provides paddleboard rentals throughout 30A, so you’ll be on the water in no time!
Western Lake can be accessed through Grayton Beach State Park. The water is relatively shallow, is primarily freshwater, and is tea-colored (due to vegetation decays). But the water in the lake is clean and perfect for paddleboarding where unique geographical features are only found in a few places in the world!
Cook at home.
Our best advice for avoiding an expensive bill at the end of a meal? Cook at home! Many Oversee homes offer gourmet kitchens with open layouts, making it the perfect space to gather and enjoy a home-cooked meal. 30A has great local seafood markets that offer the same quality as our restaurants. Take advantage of this and customize your menu to fit your family’s needs without the hefty price tag of eating out.
Snorkeling.
Dive into adventure without diving deep into your pockets with a snorkeling excursion along 30A’s extensive artificial reef system, offering snorkelers convenient access to thriving marine ecosystems.
For a day of inexpensive underwater exploration, take your kayak or paddleboard out to one of the four snorkel reefs arranged in fun sea life shapes. All of the reefs are accessible from the beach and located near public beach accesses, parking, and restrooms.
Grayton Beach State Park is one of the most popular areas in 30A for spotting sea life. Sea Turtle Reef sits about 783 feet from the shore and is a group of 58 individual reefs deployed in the shape of a turtle.
State Parks.
Beyond the stunning Gulf waters, 30A is a lot of things, including a few unbelievably unique state parks near your Oversee home. These pristine and protected parcels of pure natural Florida are ready and waiting for you and your crew to come over and play.
Friends of Grayton run a kayak and paddleboard rental service on Western Lake. Open seven days a week, from 9am – 4pm, renters can take a kayak or paddleboard out on the beautiful waters. lake. Book your inexpensive rental today!
200 miles of woodsy trails? Absolutely. The many state parks and wildlife areas along 30A are a sight to be seen, some of which highlight the splendor of the coastal dune lakes. Indigenous wildlife thrives in these diverse pockets of untouched beauty while offering access to beaches, rolling sand dunes, and delightful boardwalks, which meander just feet above the protected flora and fauna.
Some of the trailheads ask for a small donation to the State Forest. Thank you for helping support the overall facilities. Providing you with clean public restrooms is just a part of where your money goes. Your small donations even support a wide variety of eco-tourism activities available throughout South Walton County.
Shuttles and Trams.
A convenient shuttle has made exploring a lot easier. The ‘Grayton Central’ parking lot is across from the Hurricane Oyster Bar, and has free parking. From here, the shuttle offers free pick-up and drop-off to Grayton Beach, as well as Red’s Bar, The Zoo Gallery, and other restaurants and shops in the unique neighborhood. Also, the free ‘Seaside Shuttle on Scenic 30A’ runs to Seaside in about 8 minutes. Both shuttles run daily from 6am to midnight, every 15 minutes, or as needed.
Explore Seaside.
A great place to people and window watch, Seaside is hailed by Time magazine as perhaps “the most astounding design achievement of its era,” and is credited with founding a global town-planning movement known as New Urbanism.
‘With its cozy, narrow streets and its jumble of pastel-colored homes, Seaside is probably the most influential resort community since Versailles.’ – Newsweek
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