850-981-8900 Scenic Highway 30A is a 24 mile corridor that hugs the Gulf of Mexico coastline in Northwest Florida’s Walton County. Along this breathtaking drive you will see sugar-white sand beaches and rare coastal dune lakes. Scenic Highway 30A is a tourist attraction of major proportions.
In the 1890’s, the combination of natural wilderness and pristine beaches enticed summer vacationers to this area. As they returned year after year to their tiny beach cottages, small resort communities began to emerge. During the 1920’s, promotion and advertising were used to market these resort communities. Beach lots were offered for sale to those who wanted to build permanent residences. Today, 12 distinct beach communities have evolved along the corridor, each with its own unique history and character. Grayton Beach was not only the first community established in the area, but in 1913 was also the area’s first resort community. Today, Grayton Beach continues to have small-town character with its narrow tree-lined streets and a modest downtown with shops, bed and breakfast inns, a general store, and a handful of restaurants.
It is an exciting and eclectic mix of hot Caribbean colors and soft pastels, with architecture to match each community’s charm, whether it be Old Florida’s traditional 2-3 story homes, the cottages of Seaside with white picket fences, or New Urbanism. Miles of greenway trails connect state parks, preserves and residential areas along this byway.
Along this stretch of highway, dozens of art galleries are teeming with original artwork from talented local artists. Hwy 30-A is filled with artistic renderings of the area as well as multi-media pieces of all kinds. Under the water, the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County has established the first underwater art museum. Local artists have created metal sculptures that have been submerged to create a home for marine species, creating an artistic reef beneath the surface.
With three state parks and Point Washington State Forest, it’s easy to enjoy 30A’s natural attractions. On the west end of Hwy 30A, Topsail Hill State Preserve is home to two coastal dune lakes, the tallest sand dunes along the coast, pristine beaches, and miles of hiking/biking trails. In the middle, Grayton Beach State Park surrounds Western Lake and features hiking trails, and access to miles of pristine beaches and the coastal dune lake. Toward the East, Deer Lake State Park is a primitive park with nature trails, a wooden boardwalk through towering sand dunes, which leads to miles of white sand beaches. Add to this an extensive trail system through Point Washington State Forest.
Scenic 30-A is known for its world-class, certified Blue Wave beaches; a mark of cleanliness and good management from the Clean Beaches Council. For those who desire a slower, simpler pace, an abundance of recreational activities await hikers, bikers, bird watchers, beach lovers, campers, and sportsmen. More than 200 miles of trails located on state lands are open to the public. Explore the 19-mile Timpoochee Trail, a paved multi-use path that runs parallel to the Gulf. Enjoy the tranquility of kayaking or canoeing on the coastal dune lakes. Learn about nature, by discovering the habitats of endangered species like the gopher tortoise or Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Choctawhatchee Beach mouse or rare wildflowers, including Gulf Coast lupine and wild rosemary.