Welcome to the Communities of 30-A

If you have never been to this part of Florida, prepare yourself for something special and probably unexpected. The communities along Scenic Highway 30-A are jewels scattered along miles of dazzling, white sand beaches. Many, most famously Seaside, are devoted to the New Urbanism school of planned communities that combine single and multi-family residential spaces, retail spaces, and multi-use green spaces, all within walking distance.

My favorite way to explore the communities of 30-A is by biking the paved hiking/biking path the runs the entire length of the highway. Grayton Beach, Seagrove Beach, Watercolor, Watersound, and Seaside are all easy bike rides from our house in Seacrest Beach. Rosemary Beach and Alys Beach are leisurely 5 minute walks to the East or West of our house.

I have provided a link to a youtube video produced by local realtors at Davis Properties to introduce potential residents and visitors to the communities of 30-A. I think it is very well done and is a nice introduction to the area architecture and stunning landscapes. Views such as these in the video made us want to buy a vacation house here. Come and see it for yourself!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWJJjHa-eog

Our Favorite Restaurants

The photo above is of my favorite restaurant, Onano Neighborhood Cafe in Rosemary Beach. This place is lovely jewel of a restaurant that is a short walk from our vacation home. I have never had a meal there that wasn't less than wonderful. Lobster ravioli and cioppinio are two of my seafood favorites. Another fantastic dish is the home made potato gnocchi with ragu of pork shoulder that is braised in tomatoes, wine and herbs. Onano Cafe serves lunch and dinner and has a children's menu.

My brother-in-law's favorite restaurant is Cafe Rendez-Vous in Seaside. This cafe is a relaxing spot to enjoy a glass of wine and a spicy tuna roll or rainbow roll while people-watching on the Central Square. A memorable birthday meal there included grilled lamb chops and a fabulous dessert crepe that was made with nutella and fresh berries. The crepe was so good my BIL went back 2 days later for another.

My sister loves Cafe Thirty-A. This trendy spot has earned the Wine Spectators Award of Excellence. In addition to the great wine list this restaurant makes a memorable fresh pineapple martini. Some favorites off the menu are the fried oyster and spinach salad and the wood-roasted grouper with king crab and vegetable risotto. Cafe Thirty-A has many specials, include 2 for 1 entrees between 5 and 6 PM and martini and wine specials.

My husband favors a restaurant called Gravel Road in Santa Rosa Beach. We biked to this restaurant one afternoon and had a really nice lunch, and then had a fabulous Valentine's Day dinner there on another trip. The fried green tomato salad with quail's eggs is very good, and so is the mixed grill with soy marinated hangar steak, italian sausage, red snapper, bliss potato mash, pear salad, swiss chard and ponza demi glace. The dish sounds pretty complicated, but the flavors work really well together. Save room for the dessert at Gravel Road. If you bike there you can work off those calories on the way home.

Onano Neighborhood Cafe

78 Main and West Water Street

Rosemary Beach

850-231-2436

http://www.onanocafe.com/

Cafe Rendez-Vous

25 Central Square

Seaside

850-534-0254

http://www.caferendezvous.net/

Cafe Thirty-A

Highway 30-A

Seagrove Beach

850-231-2166

http://www.thirtya.com/

Gravel Road

50 Uptown Grayton Circle

Santa Rosa Beach

850-534-0960

www.geocities.com/gravelroadgrayton/