30A Emerald Coast, Florida - What I Like & Love
Although living in Pensacola, FL is great, I’ve found that the 30A Emerald Coast is a great change of scenery for a weekend getaway! Within 1-2 hours there are several charming beach towns to explore including Rosemary Beach, FL and Seaside, FL.
These are the two towns I will focus on in this post. However, I do plan to go back and explore more including Alys Beach, FL and Santa Rosa Beach, FL. Specifically, this list includes what I LOVED in these areas and what I liked, but would not necessarily recommend for certain reasons. All honest opinions are laid out below to help you maximize your trip.
Rosemary Beach, Florida – 30A Emerald Coast
1) Visit the Pearl
What I loved:
The Pearl is a beautiful hotel in the heart of Rosemary Beach, FL. It is worth walking into the rooftop bar area , if not to get a drink, then to just see the pristine pool area.
They have a luxurious spa here as well which is connected to the pool area. We got spa treatments here which included use of the pool area for an hour before and after the treatments. If you are willing to spend a bit on a relaxing excursion this is something I would recommend.
The foam on top was the prosecco (included in the service) by the pool after the treatments.
What I did not love:
The spa is a bit pricey and there was some confusion with exactly how much I was paying for the treatment after I utilized one of their advertised discounts, so be sure to go in knowing how much you will spend. This way once you pay after the treatment you can confirm the amount is correct taking into consideration any promotions.
2) Eat at La Crema
What I loved:
La Crema is a one of a kind gem hidden in plain sight. I love finding a singular restaurant that is not part of a chain because it feels more special. Located right on the main street of Rosemary Beach, FL, this restaurant offers something out of the ordinary by serving mostly small plates in addition to chocolate food delights.
We split two small plates and an appetizer, which was perfect for a light lunch for two people. ALSO, the Enfuego Chicken was INCREDIBLE.
What I did not love:
It was too windy for the umbrellas to be up so we sat outside in direct sunlight. However, the inside is cute too. But if I went back and the weather was nice again I would snag the side patio because it’s covered and gives off very cute vibes.
3) Stroll & Admire the Charming Houses
This is a fun time if you appreciate the brilliant houses and really has no downsides.
4) Eat at Playa Bowls
Playa Bowls is a chain, which I don’t normally love, but it is refreshing to eat an açai bowl especially on a warm beach day. And Playa Bowls has a wide variety of bases and toppings which I love.
Seaside, Florida – 30A Emerald Coast
1) Visit the Saturday Outdoor Market
What I loved:
Saturdays from 9AM-1PM there are several tents and small business vendors set up around Seaside Amphitheater, in the heart of Seaside, FL. It’s very lively and sometimes there is live music. Again, no downsides here, it was great!
2) Indulge in the Food
What I loved:
I enjoyed the French crepe I got at the food trucks lined up in between the beach and the Seaside Amphitheater.
What I did not love:
I tried Amavida Coffee Roasters and Dawson’s Yogurt and Fudge, which were both right in the main area near the market. Both of these spots were a tad bit disappointing. Amavida seemed expensive and the coffee was just okay. But a bunch of people from the market had just all huddled inside because there was a storm passing through, so maybe I had a bad experience with the crowds.
As for Dawson’s, we got two small squares of fudge and it came to around $14. Not only was it expensive, but the distinct flavors weren’t really coming through on the fudge and it seemed a little stale. Next time I go back I plan to try something from Modica Market. We went in and it was busy with several people ordering food and coffee to-go.
3) Find the Hidden Seaside Chapel
What I did not love:
Before going I planned to see the Seaside Chapel because it is supposed to be beautiful and quaint. However, I did not realize Seaside, FL is mostly a walking town so when I mapped to the chapel I was not able to see it with the way the roads were designed through the neighborhood.
Tucked away behind the residential houses this little chapel is best seen by foot. Next time I will definitely park and then venture into the residential area to see this little gem.
4) Have Off the Beaten Path Mexican Food – Mi Casita Mexican Grill
We took shelter from the rain in this small Mexican Restaurant and enjoyed the food and casual vibe!
Overall Thoughts: Rosemary Beach, FL vs Seaside, FL – 30A Emerald Coast
Overall my thoughts are that 30A is a very beautiful area of coast. In terms of things to do, Rosemary Beach, FL is charming but seems a bit smaller than Seaside, FL.
With that being said, Rosemary Beach, FL had an outdoor market going on when I visited on a Sunday. Although I did not check it out, that could be something to look into if your time there will overlap with a Sunday morning.
So, given this, both have weekend market opportunities. However both also have private beaches, so if you want to have an actually beach day you’ll need to rent in the area or have an idea of which public beach access you want to go to, which will not be directly in these towns.
For more Florida travel ideas, visit my Florida page. For those specifically located in Pensacola, FL, visit my Pensacola page if you are running out of things to do!