Staycation on the Emerald Coast: Our Favorite Places to Go and Things to Do in 30A

Local Guide
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Black and white photo of a family, a man and a woman holding a baby, smiling on a sunny beach.
 

Staycation in the near future?  We love that we live in a place where we can also vacation!  Destin and 30A have so many incredible places to stay, things to do, and views to enjoy.  From Panama City Beach to Seaside, Watercolor, Alys Beach and more, there are dozens of incredible home and condo rentals to choose from, as well as some great boutique hotels.  Erica went on a staycation with some girlfriends recently, and we thought we’d do a roundup of some of our favorite things to do when we staycation.

 
A couple embracing on a bright, sandy beach during golden hour. The man, wearing a pink shirt, kisses the forehead of the woman, who is smiling broadly at the camera while wearing a floral dress and black-rimmed glasses.
 

Slow mornings and Local Coffee

There’s nothing better than starting off your day relaxed and refreshed.  Black Bear Bread Co in Grayton Beach is our go-to for coffee and breakfast. They also have a location in Seaside. Another great option is Big Bad Breakfast at Inlet Beach where we’ve spent some staycation mornings in the past! 

 
Family of four holding hands on a wet beach at sunset with reflections in the sand.
 

Visit Some of Our Favorite Beaches

Fall brings the end of tourist season and far less crowds on the beaches.  It’s a great time to catch beautiful sunrises and sunsets along the Emerald Coast.  Morning yoga on the beach, an evening bonfire, you name it and you can find it at some of our favorite beaches here! Livewell 30A offers a great beach bonfire service we've used and would recommend!

 
Family of four standing barefoot on a wide beach at sunset with soft colors.
 
 
Young blonde girl posing playfully on a green lawn in front of a white building.
 
 
Smiling couple on a sandy dune, with the man giving the woman a piggyback ride.
 

Lunch

There’s no shortage of great lunch spots along 30A.  If you’re looking for a casual dining experience, Bud and Alley’s is a great waterfront restaurant in Seaside. Shaka Sushi at Inlet Beach is also a favorite - we love their poke bowl! 

 
Young boy sitting in the sand and drawing with a stick on the beach, with another child in the background.
 

Family-Friendly Activities

We love to check out local events going on and enjoy supporting local businesses from Destin to 30A and beyond.  You can find events nearly every weekend during the Fall, and we feature some popular options in round-ups on the blog occasionally. 

Kid-Free Fun

Kid-free for your next staycation?  Time for a nice date night! Check out our favorite date night activities here, including one of our favorite places to stay.

Capture the Memories

Whether it’s just you, or you and the family, a staycation can be a great time to get portraits you can cherish long after your break is over.  You can schedule a Fall or Winter session with us regardless of where you’re staying! Reach out today to secure your preferred date!

 
Smiling grandmother holding hands with her three young grandchildren and running on the beach at sunset.
 

Relax

Most of all, we love to plan time to just relax and enjoy our stay!  Between work and family life, the hustle and bustle can become routine.  Carving out some time for relaxation, fun, and doing things we enjoy is a must! 

What do you always do on your 30A staycations that we didn’t mention?  Drop us a comment so we can add it to the list!

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