When nothing would help you set the refresh button in life quite like a much-needed getaway, planning a summer vacation to Florida’s scenic and sunny 30A is always the way to go. Situated on the gorgeous Gulf coast, 30A has a way with sun-soaked landscapes and surf that’s truly hard to top. A visit this way never fails to impress, whether you’re a traveler longing to spend as much time as possible on the sand, you can’t wait to explore the bike trails, or you’re longing to experience the best of local food, shopping, and architecture for yourself. At Dune Vacation Rentals, we love sharing the beauty and fun of 30A with travelers, and when you’re ready to plan a summer vacation in 30A, our accommodations will keep you close to the places and experiences you can’t wait to discover.
Plan a Summer Vacation in 30A
Before your summer vacation can truly get underway, you’ll need to make plans to travel to stunning 30A in seamless style. The good news is that for many travelers, getting here is bound to be a breeze! Many travelers who enjoy points of origin in the Southern U.S. will find driving here is the easiest route to relishing their well-deserved time away from the hustle of life. Highway 30A is easy to navigate, and once you reach the 30A area, you’ll have 20 miles of gorgeous coastline to explore at your own leisurely pace. If you’re heading into 30A this summer from destinations that are a bit further away on the map, flying is typically your best option. The nearest airport to 30A is the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, which is located in the heart of Panama City. There are also opportunities to land at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport, depending on the type of aircraft you’re flying in on.
Summer Weather Expectations
If warm weather adventures with plenty of sunshine included are just your style, you’ll find that unwinding in Florida’s 30A in the summertime checks every box on the must-have list. Here, daily highs this time of year typically head up into the mid 80s and low 90s, with humidity often making it feel even warmer. This is great motivation to spend ample time in and around the water, taking full advantage of access to the breezes coming off the Gulf waves. Throughout the summer, there are chances for occasional rain showers, typically in the afternoon, but in true Florida style, these storms don’t necessarily last long, and as soon as they pass, visitors are free to continue on their merry, outdoor way with clear skies overhead.
Pack Like a Travel Pro for Your Coastal Summer Adventure
Making the most of your 30A stay this summer begins with making sure your packing list includes all of the essentials and extras you’ll want to have on hand while you’re here. We recommend putting an emphasis on swimwear this time of year, as those warm temperatures and sunny skies are bound to have you spending as much time as possible on the shorelines. Make sure your swimwear lineup includes multiple swimsuits for multi-day use and lightweight cover-ups when you want to move between the beach and nearby beach bars or shops as well.
A sun hat and sunglasses are very much essential in 30A in the summertime, and when you pack your wide-brimmed hat, you’ll quickly discover your fashion choice puts you in good company. Even on cloudy days on 30A in the summer, having an effective sunscreen is a must as well. We highly recommend packing varieties that are upward of SPF 30 to give you the best defense possible against those strong Florida rays. Sands and flip flops are great shoe choices for your days on the sand, but you might want to pack at least one pair of comfortable walking shoes for those afternoons when you’re inspired to head out and explore the many charming beach communities that make up the greater 30A area.
Other beach essentials to consider packing when you’re putting everything together for your vacation include a large beach bag, towels, a waterproof phone case, and snorkeling gear. It’s also a good idea to have a reusable water bottle on hand to stay hydrated on the sand as well as when you’re out exploring and enjoying other surroundings across 30A. Pairing that sunscreen you packed for the beach with a bottle of bug spray can work wonders for your time outside in 30A this summer, and if you’re someone who loves birding, don’t leave your binoculars behind as the shoreline here hosts a wide variety of local and migratory species to observe too.
An elegant outfit for evening dinners out is always a good choice in 30A, and a light jacket in place for an unexpectedly cool evening after an afternoon thunderstorm can be a smart move too when packing.
Delicious Dining Stops to Add to Your Summer Itinerary
30A is a place that never fails to appeal to food enthusiasts from across the map thanks to the area’s wide array of eateries, beach bars, and cafes to explore during a summer visit. Whether you’re here and find yourself longing to enjoy local seafood from a dining room with a waterfront view, or its traditional Southern fare that appeals, and you’re hoping for a great place to pick up something to go, you’ll find what you’re searching for and so much more! If you’re spending quality time in the Grayton Beach area during your summer stay, destinations like Chiringo are wonderful to add to your must-try list when you’re looking to enjoy a stop with a focus on international fare near the beach. Pick up a delicious breakfast for the entire family at Black Bear Bread Co. in Seaside while you’re in town, or head over to Rosemary Beach and make the most of fine dining at sunset at Pescado’s from a place on their luxurious rooftop patio. No matter where you land, you’ll find palate-pleasing moments are always at your fingertips when 30A is your summer vacation destination of choice this year.
Fun Things to Do with Family and Friends
30A is a great place for solo travelers to unwind when some much-needed time away this summer is on the calendar. However, it’s also a terrific summer destination when you’re traveling to Florida with family and friends and upon arrival, you’ll be delighted by the vast and varied array of options for customized fun and adventure waiting to be enjoyed here.
Beyond the quality time on the sand that you deserve to treat yourself and your traveling crew to, 30A is a terrific destination for exploring on two wheels. Head over to Pedego 30A and rent an electric bike that’s built for sand-based adventures when you want to take sightseeing to the next incredible level on the shoreline. You can also rent a more traditional bike and spend time together on the 30A Bike Trail in good company which spans 19 miles of paved pathway connecting many of the area’s charming coastal communities with ease.
If you’re looking for a group activity to enjoy this summer that gets you out on the water, places like Yellowfin Ocean Sports offer up great kayak and paddleboard rental options on-site. With your rentals in hand, you can enjoy heading over to one of the 15 rare coastal dune lakes found in this area and enjoying a day of paddling at your own pace. From Deer Lake and Oyster Lake to beautiful Lake Powell too, there’s a good chance you’ll need to transition your single-day rental into a multi-day experience once you realize just how much there is to explore.
If you’re traveling with a group this summer that shares a passion for high-energy thrills, the team at the Austin Magee Surf School in Seaside has you covered. Here, advanced surfing enthusiasts can take a refresher course before hitting the waves in style while those who are new to the sport and excited to learn can book a private or group lesson with a pro, and get the basics in place before heading out to put their skills to work as well.
Explore the Beauty of Seaside
Once you’ve had your fill of time on the waves in Seaside this summer, surfing your way to new adventures, this is a great place to linger and really relish the view. Seaside is in so many ways, the quintessential image of an idyllic coastal town. So much so that it was used as the set for the Truman Show film that many cinema enthusiasts will remember well from the 90s! Strolling through Seaside is an opportunity to immerse yourself in a New Urbanism take on architecture and design at its best. Across Seaside, you’ll encounter cobblestone streets, pastel-colored homes, white picket fences, ornate beach pavilions, and a collection of delightful eateries and art galleries that make this space even more welcoming. Throughout the summertime, Seaside typically hosts a lineup of great live musical performances over at its amphitheater, so its worth waiting until the sun goes down to see who is on stage for the evening. In the meantime, you can feel free to cast a line from the shore, check out a charming café, or take photos of famous places that were used in the movies!
Find Time in Your Summer Itinerary to Enjoy Local Hiking Trails
If you happen to be a summertime traveler making your way to 30A this year with a passion for lacing up your boots and exploring the great outdoors, there are plenty of gorgeous hiking trails to check out while you’re here. Point Washington is a one-stop resource for outdoor thrills thanks to its maze of routes that are ideal for pairing a hike with wildlife watching as well. Whether you go for the 5-mile path, the 3.5-mile route, or the more challenging 10 mile trail here, it’s a place that never fails to impress its guests.
Sail Your Way to 30A Summer Fun
It’s hard to find anything more refreshing to add to your summer vacation itinerary in 30A than time out on the water, sailing your way to fun alongside family and friends. There are several local outfitters where you can readily book a pontoon boat for the day and spend time out on the water fishing or sightseeing your way through a sunny afternoon. If your summer travel plans to 30A include the kids, you might want to consider elevating your boating experience further by investing in a tri-level pontoon boat complete with a waterslide to enjoy while you’re out on the waves.
End Your Summer Vacation Days on a Relaxing Note on the Sand
A special summer activity you certainly won’t want to overlook when you’re in 30A that makes every evening a treat is booking a beach bonfire while you’re in town. Professional companies here are ready and waiting to handle your request to set up a beach bonfire safely, and with all the right permits in place during your stay. Just let them know where you’d like to set up and they’ll handle everything from getting the fire started and providing comfy seating to making sure there are s’mores at your fingertips when cravings come calling. They’ll even handle the break down service afterwards so you can simply relish the experience and head back to your luxurious summer rental to rest.
Book Your 30A Summer Getaway in Comfort, Luxury, and Style Today
Now is the perfect time to make sure you have incredible travel plans in place for enjoying a 30A adventure this summer. When you do, the team at Dune Vacation Rentals is ready and waiting to help you book just the right luxurious summer rental accommodations to not only meet your travel needs, but exceed your expectations at every turn. Whether you’re looking for a gorgeous retreat with direct beach access, or a property option that spans multiple levels and includes a private resort-style pool too, we have it covered. Our property options are situated across 30A so you can pick and choose from the places that you can’t wait to wake up each day and explore in good company. Reach out today to learn more about our exciting beachfront options and how we can help you make it a summer journey to 30A to remember.
