Santa Rosa Beach /30A
A unique blend of nature and architectural beauty
Between Blue Mountain Beach and Dune Allen Beach, you'll find Santa Rosa Beach along 30-A in South Walton County. The seventeen miles of beach beckons sun worshippers with its fine sand and brilliant blue-green waters. It stretches from Choctawhatchee Bay to the north to the Gulf of Mexico on the southern end. The beach serves as a playground, but the town of Santa Rosa Beach offers so much more.
Residents and tourists enjoy all kinds of dining and shopping options and access to the Santa Rosa Beach Club. Large, lush lawns adorn the stately single-family homes and condominiums, especially in exclusive neighborhoods such as Blue Mountain and Red Fish Village.
Though officially founded in 1910, in the Point Washington neighborhood in Santa Rosa Beach, you'll find where they built the Wesley Mansion in the 1890s. The mansion is now part of Eden Gardens State Park. The 24,000+ residents enjoy nearly perfect weather, a mix of what nature offers, and plenty of shopping and entertainment venues.
WHAT TO LOVE
• Some of the country's most beautiful beaches
• Tranquil parks and green spaces such as Point Washington State Forest and Blue Mountain
• Ideal temperatures — and no snow!
• Tight-knit and family-friendly community
LOCAL LIFESTYLE
The people of Santa Rosa Beach enjoy an active and healthy lifestyle. Most of the fun takes place during the day or early evening. They're not overly enthusiastic about late-night life, and most would rather spend the late night and wee morning hours relaxing in their lovely and luxurious homes.
In addition to the beautiful beaches and green spaces, the area provides plenty of restaurants, fun shopping spots, and cultural events that welcome all. They also celebrate a strong sense of community. It's a very comfortable place to live for families, retirees, and snowbirds.
DINING, ENTERTAINMENT & SHOPPING
You can't spend every minute at the beach. Fortunately, Pensacola and Gulf Breeze offer plenty of options for dining and other activities. Water Pig Restaurant, located on Pensacola Beach, prepares slow-cooked barbeque daily and plenty of homemade sides. You may also enjoy a hand-crafted libation as you gaze at the ocean. Restaurant Iron specializes in fine dining southern food. The adventurous young staff at this unique restaurant use locally grown herbs and vegetables to create their culinary masterpieces. George's Bistro and Bar brings Southern charm to a whole new level. They cater to families, business dinners, and couples looking for a romantic dinner.
If you like Italian food, cross the bridge to Gulf Breeze. Here you'll find Lillio's Tuscan Grille. They use the freshest ingredients to transport your taste buds to Italy. If it's steak you're craving, you'll find Miyako Steakhouse of Japan also in Gulf Breeze. The patrons here say the food never disappoints. In addition to steak, they also offer sushi and seafood.
The area offers plenty of the chains you're used to for shopping, but for a memorable shopping experience in Pensacola, don't miss the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk. The collection of shops also provides dining and entertainment options right on the waterfront. If you're in the Gulf Breeze area, Dolphin Square offers everything you need for the beach and many options for gifts and souvenirs.
THINGS TO DO
In Santa Rosa Beach, the weather cooperates, so residents and vacationers can enjoy the beach, parks, and forests on just about any day of the year. But you'll find plenty of other activities in Santa Rosa Beach.
Santa Rosa Beach offers two craft breweries. If you want to experience an authentic taste of South Walton, make sure to pay a visit to Grayton Beer Company or Idyll Hounds Brewing Company.
Along 30A, you'll also discover some other nearby communities. The community of Seaside oozes charm with pastel homes in the architectural style of New Urbanism and iconic, white-washed buildings. In fact, the area's storybook perfection earned it a place as the backdrop to the movie The Truman Show. You'll also find many boutiques, one-of-a-kind shops, and art galleries in the area.
The community of Gulf Place sits on the corner of 30A and 393 in the heart of the Santa Rosa Beach area. The neighborhood, with wide sidewalks and palm trees lining the streets, makes for a pleasant stroll. But in the Gulf Place community, you'll also find boutiques, galleries, unique eateries, and live music, all in a very relaxed setting.
