Hi Besties!
ICYMI, I took a gals trip to Florida this spring, and had an absolute BLAST while there! We specifically stayed in the Seaside, Rosemary Beach, Inlet Beach, Alys Beach area(s). I add all of these locations because each of these cute little towns are within minutes of one another – which makes it so easy to see so much in such a small amount of time! Okay, let’s dive in (and no pun intended hehe).
WHERE WE STAYED // First things first is where we stayed. Location can play such a large factor into how your trip pans out. We ended up renting a house in the Prominence neighborhood of Inlet Beach. The Den on 30a was an absolute dream! The location was fab, with The Hub being directly across the street. It was also a quick drive to any of the neighboring towns, such as Alys Beach or Rosemary/Seaside. A golf cart, access to the community pool, and bikes were included free of charge with our house at The Den. It will also sleep 8-10 guests, so make sure you bring the whole gang!
WHERE WE WENT // Speaking of Alys Beach, it’s a must visit (IMO). The tiny beach town offers the most picturesque settings, tasty dining options, and sweetest locals. One morning, we grabbed juice from Raw and Juicy, and took a stroll around the cobblestone neighborhoods admiring the immaculate views (of course pictures were involved).
It isn’t a Florida trip if you don’t get to stick your toes in the sand! There are several community beach access points, which you can find here. We ended up at the Santa Clara access point, (# 8) as it worked best with our location.
WHAT WE ATE // While in Alys Beach, be sure to stop by The Citizen for an insta-worthy cocktail, or bite to eat. We ate here for lunch and let me tell you – no food was left behind, hahaha. SO YUM + so cute.
I mentioned The Hub earlier, and for good reason! Not only was it walking distance from our house, but we also frequented it quite often while visiting. Every morning, we grabbed coffee from Nectar (lucky for us they had just opened that week!). We also stopped for dinner one night and loved that there was a courtyard in the middle of all the restaurant/shops. We all were able to grab drinks + dinner independently and could regroup at the picnic tables to eat together. There was also live music, which seems to be the norm around there!
For those days you feel like hosting your own happy hour, or want a cozy evening on the beach, you have to check out our friends at Let’s Say Graze! They delivered (how convenient?!) the most gorgeous charcuterie boards. I can honestly say the presentation was not only 10/10 but the snacks? TO DIE FOR. Not to be dramatic but I am pretty sure I ate the most amazing cheese of my life off of that spread.
While on the topic of to-die-for snacks, the Whisk Taking Mama whipped up the most adorable + delish cookies to satisfy our sweet tooth! I am fairly confident I will never eat a cookie that is equally delicious as it was pretty.
One night, we stopped at Old Florida Fish House for dinner, because, well, it’s pretty much a 30A rite of passage. The sushi was amaze + the vibes are on point! They have a great outdoor dining space that is absolutely electric at night.
If you’re in the market for a refreshing + authentic beachside bite, make it a point to stop by Shrimp Shack! They have some of the freshest options and it was also very affordable. I had the Shrimp Cobb Salad, and now I can’t stop craving it (Shrimp Shack, can you deliver?!).
After a day in the sun, we grabbed some ice cream (because what else?) at It’s Heavenly and let me tell ya – they hit the nail on the head with this one! I had the Raspberry Sorbet, and it was the perfect ending to the perfect day.
WHAT WE DID // The most unique and memorable experience was our beach bonfire with Light Me Up Beach Bonfires. I cannot praise them enough; the entire experience was absolutely spectacular. They set everything up for you, from the chairs, to the radio, and even keep the fire going all night. You are able to bring your own snacks + drinks, and also have the option to pick which beach location. We went with Grayton Beach (per host recommendation) and found not only the beaches immaculate, but the area itself was fantastic. There were bars + restaurants right in the town, which made it easy to order food and bring back to the fire or have a little post fire party at one of the bars. I am still so floored by our experience and cannot recommend Light Me Up Beach Bonfires enough!
A few places we didn’t make it to, but are still on my list for next time:
These details only scrape the surface of what the 30A area has to offer. There are still so many places left on my bucket list, so you can bet that I will be back again!
Happy Travels!
