This week a dream of mine is coming true: on Wednesday my little family and I are headed to Northwest Florida! The beach house above is located in WaterColor, one of the coastal communities on Scenic Highway 30A that I cannot wait to see for myself! (Take the full tour of this beautiful model home designed by Kirstie Carollo of Bella Beach right over here!) We’re actually staying in nearby Seaside, a place I’ve wanted to visit for so long. (Truman Show anyone?) Cute pastel cottages, white sandy beaches, stunning Gulf views…what more could I ask for?! If anyone has been to the the 30A area, we’d love your recommendations for shopping, dining or fun things to see and do!
Love turquoise? Visit my shopping blog Everything Turquoise…updated several times throughout the day! Check out Decor by Color for even more color-themed shopping!
I love your blog! My Mom lives in Destin so we visit 30A atleast 5 times a year. The restaurant, V Seagrove is an absolute must. The food is fabulous and portions are big enough to share. Another great restaurant is Cafe 30A. Everything in the area (including fine dining) is all family friendly 🙂 Seaside is lined with great boutiques and if you want to drive about 20 mins, the outlet shopping in San Destin is unbeatable. I hope you have a great trip and Happy THanksgiving!
Cheston K.
Watercolor and Seaside! One of my favorite spots in the country! And November is a wonderful time to visit–you'll have the beach and all the restaurants to yourselves. I highly recommend riding bikes around and just enjoying all the houses. I also recommend a drive through nearby Rosemary Beach and Alys Beach, just up 30A. Each community is so different. Have a great vacation!
I have been going to the 30-A area for all of my life, so it is like a second home. My husband and I just got back from Seaside last week. I love going in the fall because it is so quiet and neighborhoody. My all-time favorite place is the Tarpon Club at Bud & Alley's. It is an upstairs outside bar with a great view of the ocean above the fancier Bud & Alley's restaurant. Go before sunset and order some wine and the smoked tuna dip (which we did every day on our last trip down). I also recommend Hurricane Oyster Bar in Grayton Beach for the best oysters you'll ever eat, George's in Alys Beach for lunch (get the fried oyster tacos), Caliza in Alys Beach for a fancier poolside cocktail hour/dinner. Modica Market is great for take-away foods when you don't want to spend a lot of money eating out. Have a blast!
Head over to Grayton Beach to Red Bar for dinner!
I have been quite a lot and LOVE 30A! For shopping, definitely go to TRACERY in Rosemary Beach, PIZITZ in Seaside, and AN APARTMENT IN PARIS in Seaside. If you can, go to nearby Miramar Beach and go to OASIS RUG & HOME. Tell them all that Jeffery McCullough sent you! For dinner, Cafe Thirty A is a MUST. Make a reservation. ENJOY THIS BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL AREA!
Jeffery McCullough
Jeffery McCullough Art & Design Consulting
http://www.jefferymccullough.blogspot.com
There are so many great things! That area is one of my favorite places in the whole world. I agree with one of the other comments about the bar above Bud&Alley's – such great views, and especially nice if the weather is good :). Pop into all the shops around the "downntown" Seaside area, ride bikes next door to Watercolor, and just take in the scenery. It's gorgeous! Have fun!
MUST HAVE THOSE PILLOWS!! Where did they come from?
You'll love it. We have a place in Seagrove and go down as often as we can. For breakfast, go to the Cowgirl Kitchen in Seagrove. In Watercolor, Wine World is a great, casual place for dinner and they do half-off wine early in the evening. We always eat outside. Don't miss the flora/fauna walk along the "creek" through the middle of Watercolor that takes you past the boat house. The copper and glass cattails that surround the bridge light up at night. To get your turquoise fix, hit Beau Interiors in Grayton and The Tracery in Rosemary Beach.
Erin!
We would love if you made a visit to Pizitz Home & Cottage in Seaside, FL!! We are celebrating our 25th year of business on Wednesday November 27th, stop by, see us & grab a mimosa!
http://bit.ly/14xBvO7
LOVE LOVE LOVE!! Have pinned all the images. Quick question. What is the white paint that was used? Thanks!
LOVE LOVE LOVE!! Have pinned all the images. Quick question. What is the white paint that was used? Thanks!
LOVE LOVE LOVE!! Have pinned all the images. Quick question. What is the white paint that was used? Thanks!
Oh and we visit 30A several times a year. It's heaven on earth. You MUST eat at George's in Alys Beach, which is only about a 10 minute drive from Seaside. If you have kids, take them to the Sugar Shak in Rosemary Beach and they'll love the grilled cheese sandwiches at the Melt truck and the milkshakes at Pickles, both in Seaside. If you want a quick grouper or shrimp po boy that's delicious, stop in The Seagrove Market. No atmosphere, but worth a lunch stop or to-go order.
You're going to fall in love with 30A! Each of South Walton's 16 beach communities has a distinct personality, so make sure you at least drive through all of them. My favorite spots are Rosemary Beach, Alys Beach, WaterColor, Seaside, Grayton Beach, and The Village of Baytowne Wharf in Sandestin. My favorite restaurants are Bistro Bijoux, George's, The Red Bar, Louis Louis, and Cowgirl Kitchen. If you have a chance, check out my husband's art gallery (artbyandyski.com) in Grayton Beach, where you will find several pieces that have your favorite color. Directly across from his gallery, you will see Allison Craft (great turquoise jewelry) and Mary Hong (cool glass art with your favorite colors). Enjoy your trip! It will be awesome.
HI Erin,
Thrilled for you and your upcoming trip! We've been going to 30A for yrs b/c my sisters have places down there….other comments have already named some great places. But a shopping "antique type" mall I luv to frequent for a mix of EVERYthing is Retail Therapy….you'll luv it. They have a FB page, but don't always post alot of stuff….it's a fun place though….wonderful food down on 30A and the houses there….well, you'll be in heaven…..i know i am, when i go there…..enjoy!
thought I was leaving a comment on this post but it was left on the one prior to this one…check it out if you want to find out about a fabulous antique mall!
Dining: Red Bar, Stinky's Fish Vamp
Fresh Fish: Goatfeather's for cook-outs
Red Bar In Grayton Beach! Get The Grouper!
Erin- you will love the 30-A area. So much to do! We also have a home in Old Seagrove. Please try Edward's in Rosemary Beach. Quaint, intimate, but divine dining. Enjoy!
This is a beautiful home! Wow!
LOVE the awning over the sink – that is so adorable! Have a great trip!
check out simply seleta blog…she lives in the water color seaside area…also if you email her about ideas she'll get back with you
Lisa
Hi Erin, I love all the pictures you post on your blog! I'm staying on 30a this week too! You will love it here. One of our favorite places for casual dining is Seagrove market cafe. We also like wild olive bistro in rosemary beach. All the other suggestions in the other comments are great too! Riding bikes through all the neighborhoods along 30a is a must!
My parents are building a new home that I'm designing in Watercolor. Such a fun area and the perfect place to go relax. Loving these shots!
Katy http://www.designsbykaty.com
Erin
dont forget to check out grayton beach.. it all began there. the shops of grayton are wonderful and the stores at seaside amazing. Have a great vacation. the second annual Jane Coslick Cottage Holiday tour is this coming weekend and then we are headed to Grayton beach to deliver some things to a client.
You're going to love it!
Rosemary Beach: Onano, La Crema, Cowgirl Kitchen (for breakfast)
Seaside: Great Southern
Plan to spend a ton of time on bikes and just drooling over the architecture.
Beautiful!