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There’s no doubt about it, summer in 30A is hot but it’s also one of the best time to visit. With long sunny days ending in beautiful sunsets, you have hours in between to immerse yourself in all that 30A has to offer. And it has plenty to offer! This is the season for the sun-loving visitor who wants an ultimate summer experience jam-packed with recreational activities both on water and on land, as well as fun special events waiting to entertain you.
Plan your 30A summer vacation with this list of fun activities and both on water and land, special events, concerts, and more.
There’s no doubt about it, summer in 30A is hot but it’s also one of the best time to visit. With long sunny days ending in beautiful sunsets, you have hours in between to immerse yourself in all that 30A has to offer. And it has plenty to offer! This is the season for the sun-loving visitor who wants an ultimate summer experience jam-packed with recreational activities both on water and on land, as well as fun special events waiting to entertain you. Here are some recommendations on what to pack and what to see and do this summer in 30A.
Pack Light
Summer temperatures along the Florida Panhandle can range between the low 90s during the day and balmy mid 70s in the evenings. July and August are the hottest months of the year and tend to become more humid as the summer season progresses. The days are long, sunny, hot and everything from the water to the sand is sparkling under the sun’s golden hues! So, it’s best to pack accordingly. This is t-shirt, shorts and flip-flop season, and make sure to include light cotton clothing, a summer hat, sunglasses, plenty of sunscreen, summer active wear and a light jacket for cooler nights.
Recreational Activities
Summer comes alive with a bounty of outdoor recreational activities you can take advantage of while vacationing in 30A. Some of the more popular outdoor and water activities include hiking, cycling, boating, fishing, parasailing, kayaking, swimming, diving, and wildlife-watching. And many outfits offer beginner classes for fun water sports like paddleboarding and surfing, as well as guided hiking and cycling tours. A good starting point is to visit one of the many state parks’ websites for a full schedule of activities that you can book in advance. Another fun idea is a full day of horseback riding in Santa Rosa Beach, where you can access a stunning system of trails, ride through more than 14,000 acres of state forest, and gain a fresh perspective of Florida’s stunning ecosystems. Contact local stables for more info on riding tours and prices.
Water Adventures
To add an extra dose of adventure to your vacation line-up, consider booking a fun summer excursion on the water! There are many options to choose from. Nature lovers will want to book an eco-boat tour to experience the unique natural habitat of the Florida Panhandle’s salt marshes, or an airboat adventure tour where you glide through the pristine waters of South Walton. You can also choose from a variety of catamaran tours that will take you dolphin sightseeing - where you can take advantage of a once in a lifetime opportunity to swim with dolphins - as well as snorkeling, and adventure touring through the beautiful Grand Lagoon and Shell Island. For a more relaxing and romantic excursion take a sunset catamaran cruise and sail across the Gulf of Mexico where you can witness the blue sky cast every color imaginable as it sets over the western horizon. Other fun options include a banana boat ride! Pulled behind a high-performance wave-runner this is an exciting way to experience the waters of the Emerald Coast.
Summer Concerts & More
If you prefer to stay on land during your visit, there’s plenty to experience and enjoy on foot! 30A is teaming with special summer events including local music, theatre and and arts and culture festivals. Some key outdoor summer events include the Seaside 4th of July Parade that runs from Seagrove to Seaside and features decorated bikes, golf carts, boats & dogs; the Red, White, and Baytowne July event’s spectacular fireworks show, and Concerts at the Landing every Friday 6-8pm, in downtown Fort Walton Beach. In August, enjoy the Summer Concert Series at Rosemary Beach, and the Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam, a 3-day Country Music Festival in Panama City Beach. Or visit one of the many local seaside towns, and check their local listings for more family-friendly pop-up events and activities such as community pool hours, farmers’ markets, bouncy castles, face-painting, and more.
Make sure to check local listings for event dates and times. Or check in with us at LovetoStay30A. We can customize your summer vacation stay and help you book your most memorable summer vacation yet.
Renowned for their large stretches of gorgeous white sandy beaches, emerald-green waters, coastal dune lakes and top-rated state parks, 30A is also home to a variety of family-friendly activities along it’s scenic route. Whether you’re looking for a relaxed getaway under the sun or a more adventurous outdoor experience, the entire stretch of 30A offers some of the best family vacation spots and fun things to do for all ages.
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.
During the COVID-19 quarantine, restaurants around the country are pivoting to meet their customers’ new needs. From online ordering to contactless delivery, more and more places are finding new ways to stay in business and adjust to the new normal. While takeout food orders and grab and go places were always a 30A staple because beachgoers love a quick pick up, they’ve found a renewed popularity as quarantiners experience serious kitchen burnout.
When you think of Fall, you may call to mind images of cozy cups of cocoa by the fireplace or a hike on winding trails, feeling the crunch of leaves underfoot. But have you ever pictured yourself relaxing on the beach with a good book as the waves crash before you? That’s a Florida Fall. If you’re looking for a departure from the typical Fall bucket list, a 30A vacation is a wonderful option whether you’re flying solo, as a couple or with the family.
From cozy local pubs to bar tours, the cities along 30A are home to incredible brews and beaches. With quite a few exclusive 30A breweries, visitors and locals alike can enjoy sampling unique creations. Breweries are popping up all over the U.S. and Florida is no exception. Whether you’re dodging a rainy afternoon or simply fancy a pint, check out our list of favorite places to tour for a guaranteed good time.
Today on the Love to Stay 30A blog, we’re talking all about Spring Break on 30A. We’ve got all the juicy details on where to go, what to do and what to expect here in our little slice of paradise. If you’re dodging cold winter months for some sunshine and sand, you have a lot to look forward to! We have beautiful weather, fresh seafood, charming coastal towns and stunning 30A luxury vacation rental homes for you to enjoy. Before we dive into our ideas of things to do on 30A during Spring Break, let’s go over some things you might want to know before you go.
