My family and I are currently covering the last handful of miles on our return trip home from our vacation – My husband is driving, the kiddos are sleeping, and I’m typing this post by the light of my phone. Our trip took us along 30A in Florida and I was so taken by some of the small towns we visited there that I don’t want to wait until tomorrow to start recapping our time in them.

The last time I saw some of these places I was about 12 years old and they were only a few years into their existence. They were nothing like they are today with their well-established neighborhoods lined with perfect beach homes and downtown areas full of perfect beach shops and restaurants. And I’m not using the word perfect lightly here. One of towns we visited (Seaside) served as the set for the Truman Show. If you’ve seen the movie then you know what I mean.

I’m going to focus in on two of the towns we visited, but honestly, you could make a really neat trip out of town-hopping your way down the entire stretch of 30A. I would love to go back sometime soon to spend more time in some of the other nearby towns, but these are the two we spent the most time in on this particular trip:

Seaside

This is honestly a place you have to see to believe. It’s just so darn pleasant! As you’re walking around, you’d swear that everyone in it is suddenly going to break out in a choreographed song and dance. You feel like you’re on a movie set because…you are! But it’s so much more than that because Seaside has long since developed its own identity outside of its Truman Show days. It’s now a coastal vacation destination that’s perfect for family trips, romantic getaways, and friend vacays. The next time I go I’d love to rent a beach house with a big group of friends.

But anyways…onto our recent visit. In the evening, we spent time wandering down the quiet neighborhood streets and even though it’s warm during the summer months the breeze coming off the ocean makes it perfect for walking around town.

The town center is laid out in a semi-circle with lots of green space in the center for kids to run around and play in. And while they’re doing that, you can have some time exploring everything else! The restaurants all have outdoor seating lit up by string lights overhead and the shops are locally owned.

My mom and I stepped inside the sweetest little maternity and baby clothing store called Bump and Baby (click to see their Facebook page!) while my dad and husband checked out the combo book/record store. For all of the negatives of Covid, one positive that I’ve loved seeing is this push to support local. I hate when I see yet another small store close its doors because it just can’t compete with the larger providers. The stores in Seaside give you that feeling of what shopping along the main road of town was like 20 plus years ago. I’d love to see that kind of shopping trend reemerge. My mom and I found this sweet little dress in Bump and Baby:

And trust me when I say that it took a significant amount of self control to not buy up the entire store. This store ships all over the U.S. I would highly recommend them, especially if you’re looking for something special. I loved the little sailboat detail on Sophie’s dress and it made for some really sweet pictures that we’re having framed to remind us of our trip.

The other thing I loved in Seaside were the food trucks. Who doesn’t love food trucks?!? After strolling around for a while we bought the yummiest bananas foster crepe. I’m still thinking about it.

Rosemary Beach

I am absolutely in love with Rosemary Beach. Like Seaside, Rosemary Beach is a planned community so it has a cohesive feel to it, rather than the choppiness of a town that has grown up slowly over time. It almost has the look of the French Quarter in New Orleans with its airy balconies, but with more European or even Mediterranean overtones. See for yourself in these pictures. Maybe you would describe it slightly differently, but that’s the feeling it gives me.

I was especially taken by The Pearl (seen below). This place is officially on My List! The Pearl’s website describes its outer appearance as Old World European, which I love. And it’s located right next to the beach with access to private beach chairs. A stay at the Pearl also gains you access to the WaterSound Beach Club with two zero-entry pools and poolside dining, complimentary canoe and kayak use, access to tennis courts, and their rooftop restaurant. I could keep going. Sounds amazing to say the least. So…someday…

I love how most of the restaurants here have outdoor, street side seating. To me, that style is very reminiscent of European vacations. I love that in the warmer months in Italy, for example, every street in town is lined on both sides with covered tables and chairs. I love being able to be outside for a meal. It makes you feel so much more connected to the people and place around you.

And last but definitely not least, it’s worth coming to Rosemary Beach just to stroll through the neighborhoods! There’s a perfect mixture of seaside and European style homes here. Some of the homes are privately owned, but many of them can be rented out. So even better than merely strolling past some of these places, you could live in one of them for a week! Sounds like bliss to me!