As spring blooms along the Gulf Coast, the Emerald Coast’s vibrant culture comes alive with a myriad of exciting events. From indulging in fine wine and gourmet cuisine to immersing oneself in the thriving arts scene, April on 30A promises unforgettable experiences for locals and visitors alike. Here’s a curated 30A Beach Girls selection of events to mark on your calendar this April:
The Big Chill 30A – 2023-2024 Events
April 03 – May 30 | WaterSound
Embark on a journey of relaxation and rejuvenation at The Big Chill 30A. Running from April 3rd to May 30th in WaterSound, this multiday event offers a variety of activities spanning multiple categories, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Chi Chi Miguel Throwdown 2024
April 04 @ 6PM, April 05 @ 8AM, April 06 @ 5PM | Miramar Beach
Get ready for a culinary showdown at the Chi Chi Miguel Throwdown 2024. Taking place on April 4th, 5th, and 6th in Miramar Beach, this multiday event features competitions in multiple categories, showcasing the talents of top chefs and culinary enthusiasts.
Sandestin Wine Festival
April 12 @ 5PM & April 13 @ 1PM | Miramar Beach
Sip and savor at the Sandestin Wine Festival, a beloved annual tradition in Miramar Beach. Join fellow wine enthusiasts on April 12th and 13th for an unforgettable tasting experience, featuring a wide selection of fine wines and gourmet fare.
Moon Crush Pink Moon
April 18-21 @ 5-10PM | Miramar Beach
Celebrate the magic of the Pink Moon at Moon Crush, a multiday arts and culture festival in Miramar Beach. From April 18th to 21st, immerse yourself in live music, art installations, and beachfront festivities under the glow of the moon.
South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival
April 25 @ 5-7PM & April 26 @ 4-8PM | Miramar Beach
Indulge your palate at the South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival, a premier culinary event in Miramar Beach. Join the celebration on April 25th and 26th for tastings, seminars, and gourmet experiences showcasing the best of the Gulf Coast’s culinary scene.
36th ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival
May 04 @ 10AM-7PM & May 05 @ 10AM-5PM | Miramar Beach
Experience the beauty of fine art at the 36th ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival. Held on May 4th and 5th in Miramar Beach, this prestigious event showcases the works of talented artists from across the country. Stroll through rows of paintings, sculptures, and crafts, and find the perfect piece to adorn your home.
Don’t miss out on these extraordinary events happening on 30A this April. Whether you’re a wine aficionado, a culinary connoisseur, or an art enthusiast, there’s something for everyone to enjoy along the Emerald Coast’s scenic shores. Join us as we celebrate the rich culture and vibrant community of 30A this spring! Visit www.30a-beachgirls.com or call 850-849-7455 for more information on booking your April getaway!
Sunshine and Sandcastles
Sunshine and sandcastles, 30A is an awesome family destination. With 26 miles of world class beaches and turquoise waters, everyone is guaranteed to have fun. We all love the beach, the sun and the sea but sometimes you need a little break from all that glorious sand. Not sure what to do? No worries, take a look at these beach alternative experiences:
- Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, Destin-Ft. Walton – https://www.gulfarium.com/
- Gulf World Marine Park, Panama City Beach – https://gulfworldmarinepark.com/
- Pier Park, Panama City Beach (Shopping, movies, food, and fun) – https://www.visitpanamacitybeach.com/pier-park/
- Baytowne Wharf – https://www.baytownewharf.com/
- Rock Paper Scissors in Grayton Beach: https://www.rockpaperscissors30a.com/
- Shard Shop in Grayton Beach (glass art): https://shardshop.com/
Once you’re ready for some more fun in the sun, getting out on the water via pontoon boat, is a great option. Or you might want to try a fishing trip or swimming with the dolphins. Check out these amazing water adventures:
Water Adventures
- 30a Pontoon Rental (ask about 30a Beach Girls discount): https://www.30apontoon.com/
- Santa Rosa Charters, LLC – https://santarosabeachcharters.com/
- Panama City Dolphin Seafari Tours – https://snorkelshellisland.com/
Have you always wanted to build the castle of all sandcastles? Some are truly amazing. Well, now you can learn how to build those amazing sandcastles too and it’s always a great family fun experience. Here’s some local vendors to help you start creating:
Local Vendors
- Sandcastle Rockstars: https://www.sandcastlerockstars.com/
- Beach Sand Sculptures: https://beachsandsculptures.com/sand-castle-lessons/30a/
All good things must come to an end, but there’s no better way to say goodbye to 30A than with a beach bonfire and smores. Sit back and watch the sun slip into the sea while you reminisce about your time on 30a. Give 30A Beach Boyz a call (850) 849-2888 or book online, https://30abeachboyz.com/.
We are not exaggerating when we tell you that the 30A landscape (and seascape!) is quite possibly one of the most beautiful ones in the world, offering sugar white sands created from quartz that has eroded to the finest crystals over thousands of years, turquoise waters so clear it is easy to watch its denizens going about their daily business, and a verdant countryside so lush and serene visitors often wish they could call this section of Florida their home. But there’s more to the scenery than beaches and palm trees. There are historic coastal dune lakes that have been around for tens of thousands of years, there are charming neighborhoods that, while they could never blend into the background, complement the beauty of their surroundings, and beautiful nature preserves where flora and fauna coexist peacefully in the safest of environments. A visit to Florida offers an opportunity to play outside as often as possible, only coming in at the end of each day to enjoy the comforts a 30A Beach Girls sanctuary can bring, and this guide to all the fun you can have during your play will help you fill every minute of your 30A vacation in paradise!
A Walk Through Paradise
There are varying levels of walking, from a simple stroll along the beach at sunrise or sunset to a hike along the trails that lead guests through the parks and recreation areas that dot the landscape. Start every day with the stroll that will bring you peace, letting the serenity of the sea seep into your bones as the sky scrolls through a kaleidoscope of colors and the waters crash against the sugar white sands or, for those non-morning people amongst our guests, save this same delight for the evenings. A Florida sunset has been known to draw applause, stopping people in their tracks and leaving them mesmerized by the show in the sky, and ending your stroll on the beach with that high note will bring you memories you will cherish forever.
Time for the Hiking Shoes
If you really want to get out and enjoy the landscape, however, a hike along the trails is destined to be your favorite way to do so! There are over 15 miles of hiking trails to explore in Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, including the No Name Trail that leads hikers to the idyllic beauty of the smallest coastal dune lake in the park, the No Name Lake! The coastal dune lakes are a rare natural phenomenon appearing in only four countries, with Florida offering up a whopping 15 of these bodies of water. The No Name Trail is a short one, but is filled with natural experiences, including possible alligator sightings, that you will want to document, so don’t forget to include a camera in your list of hiking necessities!
Under the Sea
The world under the sea is a fascinating one that you will definitely want to explore closely, and snorkeling and scuba diving are two of our favorite ways to watch and learn. Snorkeling needs very little training and even less equipment, so it is often the most popular way to examine life underwater and can be done pretty much anywhere, including the aforementioned Topsail Hill Preserve State Park around Seahorse Reef. Many local companies (Dive 30A in Santa Rosa Beach is a popular one) offer snorkeling tours, so if you don’t feel comfortable trying it by yourself, be sure to check out what’s available out there. Scuba diving is a sport that requires more training, but if you have your certification and want to check out something really cool, the Underwater Museum of Art, located less than a mile off the shore of Grayton Beach, is something you really should explore! Every year artists submit works of art that are designed to be a permanent part under the sea and become home to many of the sea’s creatures, ensuring your explorations will be unlike anything you have ever seen before.
At Home with 30A Beach Girls
As comfortable as our Florida escapes are, you will also be able to find plenty to do outside them during your stay! Beachfront properties, of course, offer all the beachy fun you desire, including fishing, swimming, jet skiing, and all-around frolicking and during March, April, and part of May, 30A Beach Girls is offering free beach bonfires which just may be our most favorite outdoor activity of all! Our condos provide access to community amenities which can include resort style pools, hot tubs, barbecue grills, and even the use of bicycles for exploring the communities around the condo you chose. Reserve your favorite sanctuary today and discover how much the right vacation home can make your Florida getaway shine even brighter!
Are you thinking about getting away to send 2022 into the rear view and to say “Hello” to 2023, but don’t know where it could be? Look no further than right here on 30A. It’s truly paradise, especially this time of year. Everything is so nice you almost want to keep it to yourself. The weather is perfect, the sunsets are stunning, the crowds are gone and there’s still so much to do. Even though things are quieter this time of year, there’s still lots to do. For New Year’s Eve Celebration, or in Rosemary at Pescado, and Seagrove at the Old Florida Fish House. Or if you want to drive a short distance to Panama City Beach, you can watch the ball drop at Pier Park. After a great evening celebrating with friends and family, maybe you want to start the new year off with a plunge..in the Gulf. There’s a Turtle Plunge at Henderson Beach State Park and Polar Plunge at Ed Walline Beach in Gulf Place. Sounds Exhilarating! Don’t miss out on one last chance to say adieu to 2022. Give us a call and book your end of the year getaway on 30A! 850-849-7455
30A is a unique 24 mile stretch of land that has pristine emerald waters, snowy white beaches, four amazing State Parks, fifteen rare Coastal Dune Lakes, restaurants, café’s, shopping galore and countless luxurious vacation homes. This year, 30A Beach Girls are giving away a 7-night stay at one of OUR luxurious 4–5-bedroom vacation homes. Who wouldn’t want that? This amazing giveaway can be used anytime (other than the week of the 4th of July), up to 24 months from 12-24-2022.
All you have to do to get a chance at winning this fabulous vacation, is starting on 12-12-2022, go to our 30A Beach Girls Instagram page and like and share our post for the giveaway. You can also share on Facebook. The more you Like, Follow, Share and Comment, you increase your chances of winning.
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Many have visited scenic 30A along the Emerald Coast and have enjoyed the beautiful sugar sand beaches, and clear gulf waters. This unique stretch of land from Rosemary Beach to Santa Rosa is only 24 miles long, but did you know there are 4 State parks along that 24-mile stretch? If you haven’t visited them, you are missing out. Each one is different and unique, but all have stunning landscapes and serene spots to take in the natural surroundings. From the coastal dune lakes and saltwater marshes to massive sand dunes and winding nature trails through scrub oak forests, these 4 State parks should be at the top of your “must see” list.
At the far East end of 30A in Inlet Beach, is Camp Helen State Park. Bordering the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Powell, one of the largest coastal dune lakes in Florida, Camp Helen offers many outdoor activities for the whole family to enjoy.
Just a short distance West on 30A, is Deer Lake State Park. This beautiful, 1,920-acre State Park borders the Gulf of Mexico and Deer Lake, one of the 15 coastal dune lakes in Walton County. Newly renovated, this state park has picnic areas, hiking trails and a long high boardwalk that stretches hundreds of yards over the dunes to access the beach.
As you go West on 30A, you’ll reach Grayton Beach State Park and my personal favorite. Home to the 100-acre Western Lake, another coastal dune lake, Grayton Beach State Park is idyllic. It also has massive dunes, hiking trails, canoeing, kayaking, boat ramp, and a beautiful beach. There’s camping and cabins to rent at the park.
Topsail State Park is at the far West end of 30A in Santa Rosa Beach and is more like a resort than a state park. It has campground, bungalows, swimming pool, tennis and shuffleboard courts and of course hiking trails, bike paths, and 3.2 miles of beaches. They even have a tram service that picks up throughout the park.
Each park holds events throughout the year and sowal.com is a great website for information about the parks and all of 30A. There’s so much to do and see within these 24 miles of land and we hope you plan to visit one or more of these beautiful state parks on your next trip to 30A. You won’t regret it.
Did you know that coastal dune lakes are rare and found only in a handful of locations around the world?
In the United States these coastal dune lakes can be found in Oregon, South Carolina and here on 30A. From Dune Allen to Inlet Beach, there are 15 of these beauties and something you won’t want to miss on your next trip to 30A.
What’s a coastal dune lake? It’s a shallow, permanent body of water that forms along a coast where fresh water and salt water are exchanged. Most of the water in these lakes come from ground water seepage from the coastal sand dunes surrounding them. The rest comes from rain, streams, and storm surges.
These beautiful lakes are home to a variety of plants and animal species including the Little Blue Heron and the North American river otter, and there are many opportunities to see them along the hiking paths or while enjoying the outdoor activities available on them. Surround yourself in nature and take in the sites that these rare coastal lakes offer with a kayaking or paddle boarding excursion. The largest coast dune lake on 30A, is Lake Powell, located in Inlet Beach Here you can also, motorboat and jet ski.
Next time you’re visiting the Emerald Coast, don’t just hang out on the sugar white sands, check out these beautiful coastal dune lakes. You won’t regret it.
If you’ve never celebrated Christmas at the beach, it’s the perfect time to check that experience off your bucket list—in where else besides the Sunshine State? In the exclusive 30A area, you can enjoy long walks on white sand beaches with views of turquoise water, a community feel with big city amenities, and a more peaceful and unhurried pace than many fellow Florida beach towns. The area is home to a collection of beachfront communities each offering their own unique charms, and you’re sure to find something for travelers from all walks of life. When you’re thinking of planning your next Christmas vacation to 30A, rest assured that you’ll find plenty of ways to get into that seasonal spirit, while enjoying some of Florida’s most scenic highlights along the coast of the Gulf. We’ve rounded up some inspiration for your Christmas on 30A!
Beaches Like You’ve Never Seen Before
It’s amazing that beaches as perfect as these exist, but they do, and they can make all your tropical dreams come true! Pay a visit to Blue Mountain Beach for a low-key atmosphere and sparkling blue-green water, or visit the historic town of Seagrove Beach for a shoreline against lush greenery. The huge Grayton Beach State Park offers opportunities for recreation, such as hiking and biking trails, as well as ocean swimming (though you might need a wetsuit in the Christmas season), and it also boasts a marshy lakefront. Paddleboarders and kayakers will love Seacrest Beach, where the far end of 30A is home to Inlet Beach with its picturesque seaside atmosphere.
Endless Choices for Christmas Fun on 30A
The great part about 30A is that it’s home to several beach towns, giving Christmas vacationers their choice of events, whether they’re looking for family-friendly activities or celebratory adult-centered Christmas events. In downtown Seaside, you’ll find a performance of “Every Christmas Story Ever Told” on weekends in December, at 11 a.m. in front of the Seaside Post Office. Visit the bustling Village of Baytowne Wharf to see their 12 Nights of Lights holiday light show, commencing at 6 p.m., 7 p.m., and 8 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and Wednesdays December. The area is also home to a number of shops and restaurants, giving you so much to do that it can be more than a festive Christmas outing. On Wednesdays you’ll also find a holiday concert series, and visits from Santa!
Do Some 30A Style Christmas Shopping
Whether it’s for a treat yourself gift or a souvenir for a loved one, Christmas visitors will find plenty of opportunities for shopping in 30A, from outdoor malls to local farmers markets. The 30A Farmers Market offers several convenient locations—Grand Boulevard Farmers Market in Miramar Beach, and the 30A Farmers Market at Palm Plaza on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the 30A Farmers Market Rosemary Beach in the Florida Town Center on Sundays at the same time. The market offers up local vendors of all sorts and might even have some seasonal treats for sale. The Watersound Town Center Farmers Market presents a gorgeous outdoor setting and runs Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Outdoor malls boasting both local and nationwide shops include Destin Commons and Harborwalk Village and can be an excellent choice for some last-minute Christmas shopping and only-from-30A gifts!
Celebrate in Style at the 30A Holiday Market
Christmas Markets aren’t just for the freezing cold cities in Europe! You can find a bit of holiday market cheer right here on 30A at the Holiday Market at the Watersound Town Center Pavilion in Panama City Beach. The market gives visitors the chance to peruse aisles lined with local food vendors, gourmet farm stands, 30A based food trucks, and Christmas themed crafts and gifts. It’s a great way to support local businesses and get something special to remember your Christmas vacation on 30A! The Holiday Market takes place December 23rd and 30th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Enjoy Some Classic Winter Fun at Baytowne Ice Rink
A fun activity to give the kids some of that classic Christmas cheer is to take a day to ice skate at The Village of Baytowne Wharf’s Baytowne on Ice. Running from Halloween to February, visitors will find it conveniently located to other Christmas points of interest like the 12 Nights of Lights show, making it easy to combine both for a fun day and evening exploring one of 30A’s holiday attractions.
Spend Your Christmas 2021 with 30A Beach Girls!
We’re one of 30A’s top vacation rental companies for a reason, and we take the extra time and effort to pair you with a rental that will fit your vacation needs like the missing piece of a puzzle. Take a look at our properties and give us a call to reserve your Christmas 2021 30A vacation home today!