Rosemary Beach is the ideal place for a perfect beach vacation. Quaint and picturesque, there’s a relaxed elegance to the Florida vacation rental homes here. Our 30A cottages put you right in the heart of this cozy area, footsteps away from the beach or a brief and breezy bike ride to nearby local restaurants and charming retail stores. If it’s your first time visiting Rosemary Beach, we’ve created a two-day itinerary to help you find where to go, things to do and what to eat while you’re there. Even if you’re familiar with Rosemary Beach, you may discover new spots to explore on our list.
Planning a visit to Rosemary Beach and wondering what to do? Check out this 2-day itinerary which covers all the fun things to do in Rosemary Beach like bike rides through the town and fishing Florida waters.
Rosemary Beach is the ideal place for a perfect beach vacation. Quaint and picturesque, there’s a relaxed elegance to the Florida vacation rental homes here. Our 30A cottages put you right in the heart of this cozy area, footsteps away from the beach or a brief and breezy bike ride to nearby local restaurants and charming retail stores. If it’s your first time visiting Rosemary Beach, we’ve created a two-day itinerary to help you find where to go, things to do and what to eat while you’re there. Even if you’re familiar with Rosemary Beach, you may discover new spots to explore on our list.
Wake up on the right side of the bed in our YOLO home. It won’t be hard because the 30A cottage boasts luxurious Purple® mattresses so you’re comfortable and sleep well all night long. Enjoy a cup of coffee on the porch before heading out for breakfast at one of our favorite local spots. Cowgirl Kitchen is a casual restaurant along Rosemary Beach’s Main Street. Sip their famous CK Bloody Mary and enjoy a breakfast burrito or waffles ranchero. If you like people watching, sit outside to watch the charming main strip come to life.
Spend the day on the water! Florida’s Gulf coast boasts crystal-clear waters and favorable weather the majority of the year—perfect for all your water-bound plans. Charter a boat and fish the Walton County’s beautiful coastal waters. 30Angler is a local fishing charter company with glowing reviews. Their twin-powered 20’ catamaran is stable, ideal for you and your guests of all ages. They launch from Grayton Beach, just minutes away from the best natural limestone reefs on the west coast of Florida. Captain Ted knows all the spots to ensure a successful fishing day on the water. If you’re traveling with family, this is a fun afternoon activity and a great way to spend a few hours. Pack drinks and lunch to enjoy on board or ask Captain Ted if there’s a nearby restaurant that will fry up your fresh catch.
Not a fishing fan? No problem. There are plenty of other water activities to enjoy. Rent a kayak or paddleboard for your daily dose of sunshine and exercise. If you haven’t tried stand up paddleboarding before, you might be surprised how much fun it is. While learning how to stand up can be a little tricky, it’s actually much easier than surfing, skateboarding and some other activities. It’s relaxing but it’s a great workout too!
We think the best way to spend your first night in Rosemary Beach is going out to dinner at one of the many incredible local restaurants. Enjoy fine dining at Cuvee 30A. Their elevated dishes are perfect for a memorable date night. Try escargot with garlic butter or their famous chef Creehan’s signature black pepper crusted yellowfin tuna. Wrap up the meal with a slice of key lime pie or indulge in gooey chocolate sin cake.
Enjoy the ocean breeze and Gulf views from Pescado Seafood Grill & Rooftop Bar. They have a selection of Spanish-inspired dishes like shareable Paella Valenciana with mussels, clams, shrimp, chicken thighs, Spanish sausage and calasparra rice or small plates like pan-roasted pork belly. After dinner, enjoy a late night stroll along the beach. It’s a peaceful way to wrap up your adventurous first day.
What’s a vacation without sleeping in? Get a late start and head to Great Southern Café for brunch. They have Cajun dishes like Grits A Ya Ya, a sauté of smoked bacon, Portobello mushrooms and spinach over smoked Gouda cheese grits, spiced shrimp and sweet potato or Crab Cake and Fried Green Tomato Benedict. Top it off with a mimosa or bloody Mary.
One of the best parts of vacationing along 30A is the biking. Because everything is close together, it’s a convenient and fun way of getting around town. Spend the morning biking and hit the local shops. Main Street has a wide selection of stores and goods like surf clothing, toys, homemade soaps and home décor. Grab yourself the perfect souvenir or snack.
It’s not a 30A vacay without a visit to the beach! Spend the afternoon lounging and soaking up the sun but don’t forget the sunscreen. When the mid-day sun gets too warm, you can always cool off in the water or grab an ice cream cone at Marble Slab Creamery. If you’re on a family vacation, the kids will love building sand castles on the shore. For lunch, grab some pizza at Southside Slice. They have all of your favorite classic pies and some unique specialty creations too.
Since day one’s dinner suggestion was fine dining, we suggest a casual joint for day two. Just a short drive down 30A in Inlet Beach you’ll find Shades Bar & Grill. It’s a fun place to watch a game and try some brews, burgers and wings. Or get take out from a nearby restaurant and spend a night in your 30A cottage relaxing. Our top takeout suggestions: Cowgirl Kitchen has great Mexican-inspired dishes like drunken shrimp tacos, chicken tortilla soup and taco salad with grilled grouper. Step it up with five-star dining from home with La Crema Tapas & Chocolates. Their serrano wrapped figs, lobster stuffed mushroom caps, steak empanadas and lamb lollipops with rosemary are to die for. Open up a bottle of wine and enjoy the sunset from your 30A cottage vacation home.
If you’re looking for fun things to do in the 30A area, look no further. There’s no shortage of fun to be had on this list of excursions and day trips. When most people think of what to do along 30A, they automatically think of the beach. Don’t get us wrong, the pristine, white sand beaches are truly one of a kind but every once in a while it’s fun to shake things up and explore new areas. From golfing to snorkeling, beach bonfires to cold spring explorations, there’s something everyone can enjoy.
30A escapes are perfect for a romantic couple’s vacation. From quaint 30A cottages, modern luxury vacation homes and world-famous beaches, it’s a picturesque backdrop for creating new memories with your sweetheart.
If you got your full dose of sunshine relaxing together on the beach and are looking for something different to set the mood, there’s no shortage of things to do along 30A for date nights or special occasions.
30A has many great romantic restaurant options for Valentine's Day. Enjoy a romantic evening with your valentine at any of these great restaurants in 30A.
Comparing Naples to the various 30A beaches may seem like a tall order but, that’s exactly what we’re going to tackle in today’s Battle of the Beaches! While both areas are on the West Coast of Florida and boast beautiful beaches that may be just about all they have in common. Let’s dive deeper into these two beach areas so you can decide, “Which is the right Florida beach for my next vacation?”
Adventures, both on land and water, are highly sought after here and 30A offers the best there is when it comes to charters and rentals. Summer is high season for favorite warm-weather activities such as fishing, jet skiing, kayaking, cycling, hiking and more. And the beachside communities’ welcome visitors all year long with a plethora of outfits offering the best there is for your budget, time and preferred activity.
Figuring out your travel arrangements and how to get around once you get there is part of planning a vacation. However you plan on initially arriving to the 30A area, you’ll be relieved to learn that getting around is easy. In fact, you may want to cancel your rental car and embrace the full local experience. These are some of the most walkable, expertly planned communities in the U.S. after all.