Favorite Views on Florida’s Scenic 30A & Santa Rosa Beach
#1—Bud & Alley’s Rooftop Bar
What 30A view aficionado can resist a second-story view over the Gulf of Mexico in Seaside, FL? And with a drink in hand? Wow—nothing beats it, as far as views go. Bud & Alley’s not only offers a friendly open bar atmosphere for locals and visitors alike, it is one of the most popular places for watching sunsets on 30A. Great for the whole family, guess the time the sun sets and celebrate when the bell rings it in. Learn more about Bud and Alley’s rooftop bar and Seaside, FL at http://www.seasidefl.com/.
#2—Eden Gardens State Park
On 30A you have the beauty of the Gulf, no doubt about that. But you also have the beauty of the Choctawatchee Bay; completely different —but equally lovely. Visitors arrive ready to hit the beach, but not everyone takes that extra step to hop over and appreciate the special gem that is the bayside. If you only have time to visit one place on the Bay, you do not want to miss Eden Gardens State Park. The 163 acres that make up Eden Gardens are an absolute wonderland. The majestic, ancient oaks draped in Spanish moss and the view over the bay itself are out of a movie setting. Such a special place could easily be our #1 pick, but as 30A is known for its white sand beaches and emerald water, we couldn’t take the leap. But #2 isn’t so bad, right? Visit www.floridastateparks.org to see what Eden Gardens is all about.
#3—Restaurant Wars: Borago & The Bay
Battling for the third spot on our list are these two awesome restaurants with their spectacular views of the Choctawatchee Bay. Located at the foot of the Hwy 331 bridge, these one-of-a-kind establishments are located across the road from each other, with Borago (Visit Borago Here) on the west side and The Bay (Visit The Bay Here) on the east side. Along with their tasty menus, these special settings offer outdoor dining with sweeping views of the Bay. And both feature sand beaches that allow your kids to run free while you take in the view. After one visit, we are sure Borago and/or The Bay will become regular vacation stops. Good food; good views; great times.
#4—Draper Lake Bridge
We live on 30A. We have taken in all the views. Some vistas go a bit more unnoticed than others. But most locals will agree, Blue Mountain Beach maintains a woodsy, private feel that is all its own. One of the only “hills” on 30A, between the communities of Forest Lakes and Draper Lake (west gate), allows for the best peekaboo view of Draper Lake. A craftsman-style bridge leads over the footpath beside the 30A where an opening in the trees allows for a long distance view over the rare coastal dune lake. Another bridge over the lake hovers in the distance making this view one-of-a-kind. For more on Blue Mountain Beach Florida click here.
#5—Terrace at Fish Out of Water in WaterColor
As one of 30A’s best kept secrets, the terrace seating at Fish Out of Water offers magnificent views over towering sand dunes and the Gulf of Mexico. This award winning restaurant located at the beautiful WaterColor Inn & Resort is a perfect place to grab a drink or have dinner and watch the sunset. While any of the locations on our list are sites of potential romance, we’ll tag this location as our special “View for Two”—in case a date night is soon on your horizon. Make a reservation at www.watercolorresort.com.
#6—Any Public Beach Access on 30A
Isn’t every beach access on Highway 30A a magical portal into the gulf, the horizon and the sky? Each access has its own personality, but all offer you easy parking and entry to our sugar white sands and blue-green waters. For a complete list of South Walton’s beach accesses, visit this interactive page on Sowal - (30A Beach Accesses) which includes a description of each access location and various amenities.
#7—The View From Your Own 30A Property
You know it; home is where the heart is. If you own a home on 30A, the view from your porch or through your own bedroom window—these views are the ones you long for when you are away, living amongst the hustle and bustle of somewhere else. You come to 30A to to relax and quiet down, your own 30A view is a window to tranquility. Or, perhaps you don’t own a property on 30A, but hope to in the future. To search 30A Real Estate go here. We’ll gladly explore views and new horizons with you anytime.
