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Exploring Florida's Emerald Coast
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items Florida's panhandle has some of the most beautiful beaches in the entire world. Soft, sugar white sand and gorgeous turquoise blue-green water give it the nickname the Emerald Coast along the Gulf of Mexico. I love to visit the area with my extended ...
Sections
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The Best Beaches Money Can't Buy
Family-Friendly Fun on the Panhandle
Where To Stay
Where to Eat
Beach Gear
The Best Beaches Money Can't Buy
Whether you like a bustling beach day or a secluded spot of sand, the Emerald Coast has all kinds of beaches to choose from.
Our family has visited pretty much every beach along the 30A and Florida panhandle, and Navarre is by far our favorite. It's quieter, away from the busiest tourist areas. Very family-friendly and laidback.
Navarre Beach - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
For the most pristine, serene beaches, head to Gulf Islands National Seashore. You'll need to bring anything you need for the day, but the quiet peaceful miles of white sand beach make it so worth it.
Gulf Islands National Seashore - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
The thing my family loves about Seagrove Beach is that it's right by all the fun and charm of Seaside but a little less busy. It's an easy bike ride to the surrounding 30A beaches.
Seagrove Beach, FL: All You Must Know Before You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor
Santa Rosa Beach is such a gorgeous stretch and not as busy as some of the other areas.
Santa Rosa Beach - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
I love this beautiful watercolor print of the beach towns of Highway 30A. It captures the unique charm of the Florida beaches in this area so well.
Florida Scenic 30A Highway Pen and Ink Signed and Numbered Watercolor Print by Artist Linda Theobald ***FREE SHIPPING***
Family-Friendly Fun on the Panhandle
There's so much stuff to do and things to see along Florida's Emerald Coast. It's a great place to vacation as a family. Here are some of my favorite activities!
It's a fairly small facility, but this sea turtle conservation center is such a neat place to visit and is doing amazing work saving and protecting these incredible creatures.
Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Any visit where we're staying close to Pensacola, we always go to the National Aviation Museum. It has so many cool and informative exhibits. My boys love it.
National Naval Aviation Museum | Official Website
Great for any history buffs in your life, Fort Pickens was a Civil War era fort, and it's a neat place to explore and learn.
Fort Pickens Area - Gulf Islands National Seashore (U.S. National Park Service)
It's hard to beat the view on the Pensacola Pier. Great place for fishing as well!
Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
A great little indie bookstore in downtown Seaside. We always drop in whenever we're visiting the 30A.
Sundog Books
Almost every visit to the Emerald Coast, we've seen pods of dolphins jumping in the distance. This boat tour takes you out onto the water and lets you get up close with these amazing, intelligent creatures.
2 Hour Private Dolphin and Sightseeing Tour in Shell Island
If your kids can't get enough of slides, this is a fun little waterpark in Panama City.
Shipwreck Island Waterpark | Family Fun & Thrilling Attractions in Panama City Beach, FL
This is probably one of the most unique beach vacay experiences you can have--sandcastle building lessons from a true master! I love sandcastles because it's such an in-the-moment experience, and it is absolutely a memory builder for your family.
SandCastle Lessons - Creating Memories in the Sand -
Some of our favorite family pictures are ones that we had taken at the beach with a professional photographer. Make sure you work with a local who knows the best places and times to get the perfect shot.
Private Professional Vacation Photoshoot in Santa Rosa Beach
Where To Stay
I'm of the mind that if I'm going all the way to the coast, I want to stay somewhere where I can see the ocean outside my window and am feet away from the sand. We've stayed all over the 30A and gulf coast. Here are a few of my fav spots.
Whenever we've gone to Pensacola, we've stayed at Portofino. It's a large condo resort with all the amenities you could want, and each condo comes with everything you need for a relaxing stay. I love that you can either head to the beach on one side ...
PORTOFINO ISLAND RESORT - Updated 2024 Prices & Hotel Reviews (Pensacola Beach, FL)
It's all about location, location, location on the 30A. This beachfront condo is perfect. Seagrove is one of our favorite places to stay because it's close to all the things to do in downtown Seaside and the restaurants and shops of Rosemary Beach, b...
Beachfront, Two Beach Service Chairs included! - Seagrove Beach | Vrbo
So quaint and charming with easy access to the beach, the Watercolor Inn is super family-friendly but has an old-school luxurious feel to it of a well-appointed seaside resort.
WATERCOLOR INN & RESORT - Updated 2024 Prices & Hotel Reviews (Seaside, FL)
This house is ah-mazing. If you want to stay right in the heart of Seaside, steps from the beach, with up to 11 people and a private pool, this rental home is absolutely perfect.
Private Pool & Gulf Views - Exquisite Home IN Seaside - Seaside | Vrbo
If you don't care as much about having an ocean view, you can find some great deals on VRBO that are still a super-short walk to the beach. This one in Rosemary is lovely and has a pool.
Abaco Pearl Carriage House - 1 minute walk to the beach! - Rosemary Beach | Vrbo
Where to Eat
A girl's gotta eat! Thankfully, there are some amazing restaurants and food options along the Florida panhandle coast.
Right in the heart of downtown Seaside, it's not a trip to the 30A without a stop by Bud & Alley's. They have great seafood, great fish tacos at their taco stand, and do NOT miss their key lime pie.
Welcome to Bud & Alley’s Restaurants
Cowgirl Kitchen is great, hearty Americana food with a fresh, beachy, laidback feel. Always a great place for breakfast!
Cowgirl Kitchen | Restaurants 30A | Cowgirl Hospitality Group
Great seafood, super chill family-friendly vibe. Flounder's is a must-visit eatery when we're in the Pensacola area.
Flounder's Chowder House
Since we're usually staying in a condo with a kitchen set-up, we almost always grab a big order of steamed, seasoned shrimp for meals at “home” throughout our stay and other fresh items to prepare. Joe Patti's is a legend for a reason. This place has...
Joe Patti's - World Famous Seafood Market Pensacola Florida
Along the 30A, Goatfeathers is our go-to for perfectly steamed and seasoned shrimp and other seafood to keep on hand for meals at the house or condo where we're staying. On vacation, I want to let someone else do the meal prep. :)
HOME | goatfeathers
A regional southeast grocery chain, there's always a Publix nearby along the Emerald Coast. We buy our deli items and a lot of fresh groceries for the stay from a nearby Publix. (The Watercolor Crossings one along the 30A is especially nice.)
Publix: Where Shopping is a Pleasure
If you're thinking, “umm, the last thing I want to do on vacation is go to Walmart," join the club. We have a Walmart+ account and get free deliveries with it. So I'll make my grocery list and have the groceries delivered right after we arrive. Easy peasy. (Link above is my referral link to join Walmart+.)
Walmart | Save Money. Live better.
Beach Gear
All you really need for the beach is a towel and swim suit, but these items have definitely made the beach-going experience more relaxing and pleasurable for me over the years.
My crew and I burn just thinking about being out in the sun. We got this easy pop-up tent for our last beach trip, and it worked great! Blocked out the harsh afternoon rays but with plenty of airy ventilation.
WhiteFang Deluxe XL Pop Up Beach Tent Sun Shade
This is the BEST sunscreen. Once I discovered it through my dermatologist, it's the only one I'll use. It's non-oily, and it's so light, it truly feels like absolutely nothing on my skin.
Biore UV Aqua Rich Dermatologist Tested, Vegan & Cruelty Free Moisturizing Face Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin - SPF 30 - 5.1 fl oz/3pk
I've had this Land's End tote bag (the XL version) for almost 20 years, and it is so durable and versatile. Highly recommend.
Medium Natural 5 Pocket Open Top Canvas Tote Bag
My mother-in-law travels a LOT, and she finally got curious and asked her pilot one trip what luggage they used. They answered, “TravelPro” without skipping a beat. Super lightweight but also sturdy, steers like a dream, and not too expensive. I've b...
Maxlite® 5 Floating On Air Luggage Set
Okay, so full disclosure, I'm an author, and Georgia Kains is my pen name, but if you love beaches and murder mysteries, I think you might like my mystery set on a cruise ship, Death In A Deck Chair <3
Death In A Deck Chair - Cruise Cozy Mystery - Available now at your favorite digital store!
Having a sturdy, permanent luggage tag is not only easy and convenient--(Who else hates filling out those flimsy little bag tags at the airline counter?)--it's a way to keep your bags more secure and make sure they get to the right place at the right...
Large Metal Luggage Tag, Personalized Engraved Aluminum Tag - Travel Gift, Bag ID, Custom Images, Logos, Suitcase tag, Backpack tag
I collect sand from beaches that I've visited, and I love what a special memento this would make as a Christmas tree ornament or as a drawer pull
Beach keepsake, sand jar, Beach wedding favor, Family vacation ornament, newlywed gift, ocean, honeymoon, custom, personalized, engagement
Whether you have a beach house or just want to escape to the beach in your mind, I love this fun, colorful Stitchrovia by Emma Congdon beach cross stitch pattern.
The Beach - Cross Stitch Pattern (Digital Format - PDF)
Carry the beach with you on your wrist. I love these whimsical, charm-filled watches that are reminiscent of Van Cleef & Arpels (without, y'know, having to sell a kidney to afford one).
Seahorse Watch with Starfish Abalone Sand Dollar and Apple Blossom Shell, sea, beach, water, gift, birthday, Christmas
I love beach glass--the way that the ocean can turn even someone's thrown-away bottle into a beautiful treasure over time. These pendants are both beautiful and a classic way to carry a bit of the beach around with you wherever you go.
Sea Glass Pendant Necklace Petite Sterling Silver Pendant Beach Glass Jewelry Ocean Necklace for Mermaids Birthday Gift Valentines Day Gift
These beautiful, simple beachy boho beaded bracelets are like tying a little bit of the beach around your wrist wherever you go.
5 Beach Bracelets, Boho Bracelets, Sea Glass Bracelets, Beachy Bracelet, Coastal Style Gifts, Seashell Bracelets, Gifts For Mom, Beach Jewelry
I love this rustic wood display for sand jars.
Use a Wall Wood Spice Rack to Display Your Sand Collection!
You can easily fill these cute glass jars with your trip sand thanks to the handy little funnel.
Eddings Glass Jars for Beach Sand
These super soft Turkish beach towels can be personalized and shake sand off so easily.
Ultra Soft Turkish Beach Towel - Bridesmaid Gifts - Bachelorette Party Towel - Beach Blanket - Pool Towel - Personalized Gift
Sanuk makes the best, most comfortable flip-flops. The soles are made out of a yoga mat material that is so soft and cushioning. I love them and have numerous pairs and styles.
Sanuk Yoga Mat Flip-Flops
This handy portable dryer line is perfect for the beach to hang wet suits and keep them contained.
Retractable Portable Clothesline with Clips
All you really need to get sand off your feet and body is a soft bristle brush like a paintbrush. If you're going to a family reunion or beach wedding though, these personalized sand brushes make such a cute keepsake!
Sand Brush, Brush the Sand from your Toes, Beach Paint Brush, Sand Paint Brush, Wedding Favor, Favor Promotional Item, Wedding Brushes