Exploring Florida’s 30A: A Stunning Stretch Of Coastal Towns Hiding In Plain Sight

The white, sandy beaches that decorate the coast of Florida are certainly no secret. In Miami Beach alone—with a full-time population of about 80,000—just under 11 million visitors stay overnight in the small beach town every year. A similar story can be seen across many coastal towns across the Sunshine State.

However, with an incredible 1,350 miles of shoreline, some of Florida’s beach towns fly under the radar. In the case of the collection of small, coastal communities that make up the 24-mile stretch known as 30A, it is this anonymity that created the area’s relaxed and private reputation.

Tucked away on the western side of the Florida Panhandle, 30A—named after the two-lane country highway that runs along the coast—is positioned between popular destinations Panama City and Destin.

Laid along the “Emerald Coast,” the shoreline region is home to a long span of rustic, soft sand beaches that touch against the cerulean waters of the Gulf of Mexico, rivaling even the best of the Caribbean Islands. Dotted along these shores are distinct, picturesque beach towns, each with a character and appeal of its own.

It’s no surprise then that this secret treasure is not so secret anymore—the area has seen a significant influx in visitors as of late, says James Watts and Brad Hilderbrand, co-founders of luxury brokerage Coastal Abode.

“At some point in the last 10 years, we’ve been the sixth-fastest growing county in the country in terms of population. It used to be a very seasonal area, but there’s been a shift toward more full-time residents, and now there’s year-round activity. ”

Despite the newfound popularity and the subsequent increase in commercial and residential development, Watts says that 30A has yet to lose its laid-back vibe.

“It still feels friendly; it still feels inviting. What people say around here is that it’s flip-flop luxury.”

Homes in 30A

Save for what could be described as a “beach feel,” an overarching architectural trend for the area is hard to pin down as many of 30A’s communities feature unique and differing aesthetics and styles.

For example, Watts described the town of Rosemary Beach as having an “almost a European village feel with cobblestone streets and a town center” while the next town over, Alys Beach, is a blend of “the Mediterranean and Bermuda, with its emphasis on white, bright beach homes.” Further west, another beach community, WaterColor, is known as an “upscale community made up of beach cottages.”

This variation allows a wider range of buyers to find something that suits their preferences, added Watts. “It’s not all uniform; it’s a little bit of everything. Whatever your taste is, you can likely find it.”

While styling may differ, many homes throughout 30A boast similar amenities, including golf cart garages, ocean views and access to community facilities, such as swimming pools, fitness centers and spas.

Property Prices in 30A

According to the August market update provided by Coastal Abode, the average sale price for the West End of 30A was $1.7 million and for the East End was $3 million. On the high end of those averages was a $10.9 million sale while the lowest-priced sale landed at $484,000.

Such a range in pricing reflects the diversity of the 30A market, where properties whose values differ by many millions of dollars can often be within a few blocks of each other, says Watts.

“30A is a hodgepodge—you can have a $15 million, golf-front home and then down the street a 1950s classic cottage for around a million.”

The most expensive homes in the area consist primarily of those located directly off the beach, listing for upward of $20 million. In particular, newer construction beachfront homes—often larger than older homes and decked out with modern amenities—come with the most premium price tags.

The Vibe of 30A

Despite being famous for its pristine beaches, Watts says that 30A has much more to offer than surf and sand.

“There’s not this 100 percent focus on the beach. There are exceptional hiking and biking trails, golf courses and incredible restaurants and events.”

In recent years, the area has adapted to the arrival of more full-time residents with an increase in commercial offerings. “The longer people stay here, the more they want those things that they’re used to back home—they want restaurants, they want shopping options, they want events. So that’s been driving an increase in these local amenities.”

Many of the towns in 30A were designed with walkability in mind. One town in particular, Seaside, is known as a model for New Urbanism—an urban planning movement that promoted eco-friendly habits by creating walkable neighborhoods. The small beach town’s reputation for “picturesque perfection” even drew the attention of Hollywood, with Seaside serving as the filming location for the 1998 film The Truman Show.

Surrounding 30A

Multiple airports are located within a short distance from the towns of 30A. To the east, the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport in Panama City offers direct flights from all over the country, including major hubs like Atlanta, Denver and Dallas. Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport sits about 40 minutes away from Miramar Beach.

Tallahassee is located more than 100 miles to the east or roughly a two-and-a-half-hour drive.

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