Your Local Guide to Seagrove Beach & 30A
Seagrove Beach sits in the middle of Scenic Highway 30A, between Seaside and Rosemary Beach. It's one of the quietest, most convenient spots on the Emerald Coast, and The Nest on 30A is right in the heart of it. Here's how we'd spend a week.
This season
Fall and winter on 30A are the locals' secret: quiet beaches, mild days and the best rates of the year. Thanksgiving weekend brings Seaside's Holiday Parade & Turn on the Town, and January brings the 30A Songwriters Festival (Jan 15–18). It's a great time for a long weekend or a slower winter escape.
The beach
Seagrove Regional Beach Access is directly across 30A from Café Thirty-A, a 6–8 minute walk from The Nest. It has restrooms, rinse showers, an ADA ramp and lifeguards in season.
Deer Lake State Park is a quieter stretch of sugar-white sand beside one of 30A's rare coastal dune lakes. Grayton Beach State Park, a short drive west, has pristine shoreline and some of the area's most photographed dunes.
Get outside
The Timpoochee Trail is the paved path that runs alongside 30A. Rent bikes (several shops deliver right to Seagrove Highlands) and ride to Seaside or Rosemary Beach for lunch.
Point Washington State Forest covers more than 15,000 acres of trails. The Eastern Lake Trail loops through pine flatwoods and around dune lakes, and the forest is the view from The Nest's screened porch.
The towns along 30A
Seaside is the original 30A town, with shops, food and its famous pastel cottages. Rosemary Beach has cobblestone walkways, boutiques and restaurants, about 15 minutes east. Grayton Beach is laid-back and artsy.
Jon & Tari's favorites
Café Thirty-A: walking distance from The Nest. Don't miss the daily BOHO special (buy one entrée, get one half off, 4:30–5:30pm). Reservations will be needed but can be made through their website.
Great Southern Cafe (Seaside): one of our favorites for breakfast. The smoked gouda grits are awesome, and the container bar is a fun spot for happy hour.
Black Bear Bread Co. (Seaside): our go-to for coffee and a pastry.
Pickle's Burger & Shake: unwind at the Sandbar out back for happy hour, and if you like pickles, get the fried pickle spears.
amigos 30A Mexican Kitchen (Rosemary Beach): great happy hour margaritas and tacos.
Cowgirl Kitchen (Rosemary Beach): our go-to whenever we're eating in Rosemary.
The Big Chill: food, drinks, shopping and events, with room for the kids to roam.
When to visit
Summer is peak beach season. Spring and fall bring warm water, easier dinner reservations and lower rates. January brings the 30A Songwriters Festival.
Stay at The Nest on 30A
A 3-bedroom, 2-bath condo that sleeps 8, a short walk from the beach, with a community pool and a screened porch overlooking the state forest.