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By now, I am sure that you realize that we spend a LOT of time down on 30A.  Living just 90 minutes north of this vacation hotspot, we are able to pop down there quite easily and often.  Even before we bought our three vacation rentals near Rosemary Beach, we would be down there at least once a month.  I love sharing my happy place and everything you need to know about 30A with my friends and family.

Post updated: August 2023

In fact, I am heading down this afternoon to meet my sister and her family for a long weekend.    And just this past weekend, while I was down there for a girl’s trip, one question was asked more than any other… when is the best time to visit 30A?

Visiting 30A

A number of factors, including restrictions on international travel, the resurrection of the road trip, and simply the cat getting let out of the bag, have led to record tourism numbers on 30A in 2021 and 2022.  And there seems to be no slowdown in sight!  The number of first-time visitors to the area is increasing at a very high rate.

On our trip last weekend, only 2 of the 8 of us had ever been to Rosemary Beach, Florida, and these are gals that love to travel!  Each and everyone is ready to plan a trip back!   This is what led to me writing this post today.  Everyone wants to know when they should come to 30A.  And I have some pretty concrete suggestions!

Also, make sure to check out my Guide to 30A airports.  It includes every airport, airline, and specific route that you can take!

Where is 30A?

First of all… if you know, you know.  But if you don’t, you might not know 30A from Area 51.

In broad terms, 30A is a 24-mile section of County Road 30A in South Walton County, Florida (the panhandle), located between Panama City Beach and Destin, dotted with charming coastal communities nestled up against the white sand beaches.  Seaside, the most well-known community and one that you may recognize as where the Truman Show was filmed, is located in the center.   Rosemary Beach anchors the east end of 30A and is where we spend most of our time.

The west end is home to Topsail Hill Preserve State Park.  But there is so much more to it!  It is a truly magical place that can’t be summed up in a sentence or two.

I do have a blog post called What is 30A that will walk you through the entire area, and several other posts sharing day trips from 30A and more.

So, if you are just now learning about 30A, pop over to that post for a minute before going any further because location DOES matter on 30A.  You can click here to open that post in a new window!

Also, if you are a first-time visitor, you may be confused about the whole public and private beach situation in Walton County, Florida. My blog post titled What’s Up With the Public and Private Beaches on 30A will answer a lot of your questions!

How Do You Get to 30A?

As I mentioned above, a lot of people drive to 30A.  I would say 75% of my Airbnb guests are within driving distance.  It’s a quick 5-hour drive from Atlanta, Georgia, and 7 hours from Nashville, Tennessee.  Many of my guests are visiting from other places in the southeastern United States, but some do come from further away.

Northwest Florida Beaches Airport (ECP) in Panama City Beach is just under 30 minutes away from the east end of 30A and offers nonstop flights to many destinations.  Southwest Airlines, Delta, American Airlines, and United all service ECP.  An alternative airport is Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS) which is 45 minutes from the west end of 30A.

I have a VERY DETAILED blog post all about the different Airports that even includes flight schedules and which airlines offer non-stop flights to 30A, so make sure to check out my Guide to 30A airports!

What is 30A Like?

The road itself is a two-lane county highway running parallel to the Gulf of Mexico just to the south.  Along the 24-mile stretch of road, you will find a number of charming little communities.  And while people do live and work along 30A, most of the homes are, in fact, vacation rentals, with the majority of locals living in communities to the north (that don’t allow short-term rentals).  This is a point of contention as the popularity of the area grows.

On one side, the long-time residents, who have called 30A home well before it was 30A, yearn for the quiet life that once was.

On the other side, you have a lot of people who rely on the tourism industry, from vacation rental management to local bartenders and even real estate agents and mortgage brokers who can’t keep up with the skyrocketing demand.  It’s a question of whether they did, in fact, “pave paradise and put in a parking lot” or whether change is inevitable and growth positive.

There is absolutely no right or wrong answer, but the question is almost mute, as 30A is at 100% occupancy for the majority of the year these days!

So, what’s it like?

Well, there ARE loads of people on bikes, lots of great dining (upscale yet casual), some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and about a million other little things that make 30A really special.

There ARE NOT attractions like mini-golf and parasailing, and you won’t see a jet ski or a fishing pier stretching out into the gulf.  There are very few chain restaurants and no drive-throughs.

It’s a place where families and loved ones can connect.  The pace is slower, and the distractions are fewer.  The agenda for the day usually revolves around deciding if it’s a beach day or a pool day and where you should go for dinner. On rainy days, you watch some football inside or play a board game with your family.  You sleep in and usually go to bed early since most places are closed by 9 pm.  It’s what you would expect in a place like Jekyll Island, only more upscale and boujee.

But with that said, the experience can really vary based on when you come and what you are looking to get out of your visit to 30A.  The expectations are what matter most here, and that is why I want to share what I personally think the best time to visit 30A is and what to consider when planning your visit.  What I can say for certain is that people are fiercely loyal to their favorite places (including where they own property)  and favorite times to visit 30A, so while not everyone will agree with me, I think most will be on the same page.

And if you are planning your first visit to 30A. take a minute to read my latest blog post all about the difference between the public and private beaches on 30A.

When is the Best Time to Visit 30A?

The best time to visit 30a is the second weekend in September.

Really?

I don’t know.  But I have been there pretty much at all times of the year over the past few years, and I really enjoy any time in September after Labor Day and before the kids go on Fall Break in October.  I like it because the weather is still great, rates have dropped a bit, some of the seasonal activities, such as outdoor live music, are still happening, and the Gulf of Mexico is warm like bathwater.  But it is hurricane season.  It can’t be perfect y’all!

Deciding on when to visit 30A  (and where to stay) has a lot to do with what you want your experience to be like.  I am in a lot of 30A groups on Facebook and often see this:  “I want a house in a very quiet area, walkable to all of the food and restaurants, private heated pool, on the beach,  for {insert very low budget here}.“

And it’s simply not going to happen.  There are a few rare unicorns, but the price will reflect that.  Most of the homes and condos on 30A are not directly on the beach, and they either have a public beach access nearby or a private (deeded) access point.  Some public beaches will be quiet, and some will be packed, but on the flip side, some private beaches will be very busy while others aren’t.  It all boils down to the number of visitors that each location serves, and it is best to ask your host if this is an important issue for you.

The main deciding factors when visiting 30A will have cost, proximity to restaurants/retails, and how crowded the beach is.   Some people want to dine out for all meals and be in the center of it all, while others prefer a quiet street near private beach access and plan to eat all meals at the house, and another family may be very flexible as long as it’s within their budget.  So, I am going to give an overview of what to expect when visiting 30A so that you can decide what is the perfect time for you to visit!

I will note that the peak season on 30A is Memorial Day – Labor Day, as well as Fall Breaks and Spring Breaks, and all of 30A will be at 100% occupancy and peak pricing,  so during peak season, it’s busy no matter how you slice it!  And when I refer to the school breaks, it’s not as much college as it is K-12 school districts in the feeder markets.  The county actually provides a  calendar of when breaks are that helps owners and residents prepare for these busy weeks.  Thanksgiving and the week between Christmas and the New Year are also in high demand.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE 2023 – 2024 SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR THE 30A FEEDER MARKETS.

So, if you have the flexibility to travel outside of school breaks, you may be able to take advantage of lower rates and fewer crowds.  However, most of us don’t have that luxury, and that’s not necessarily bad.  To tell you the truth, my favorite time to be there is when it’s busy.  I love the energy of the summer and the hustle and bustle.  But that is when I have to make my money as a vacation rental owner, so we can’t go down there as often as I would like during peak season on 30A!  So, you’ll see us down there a lot in the off-season and shoulder seasons and often taking some fun day trips from 30A.

In general:

Peak Season on 30A: The second week of March – the second week in April  + Easter,  Memorial Day-Labor Day, Fall Break in September/October, the weekend after Thanksgiving, between Christmas and New Year’s Day

Shoulder Season on 30A: The rest of April, May, September, October, and November

Off-Season on 30A: January, February, and December (minus holidays)

There are often special events, such as Rosemary Beach Uncorked in November and the Seaside School Half Marathon in February, that bring people to the area all year long.   You can click here to check for events, both large and small and to help decide where you want to go each day.

And if you are wondering When is the Best Time to Plan a Vacation in 2023, I have a great blog post with my predictions and trends for 2023 travel both domestically and internationally!

Best Time to Visit 30A: Month by Month

Before I break it down by month, I do want to say that we almost always go to the east end of 30A mainly because we own there in Seacrest Beach, and Rosemary Beach is my happy place!  This area is basically nestled between Alys Beach to the west to Inlet Beach to the east.  We have everything we need, so don’t often venture out except maybe to Seaside or Grayton Beach for the day.

The most important thing for my own family when we travel is walkability.  We like enjoying a good meal and drinks and don’t like to get into our car while on vacation.   So, this area is probably the densest / busiest, but for me, that is a welcome trade-off to have everything I need right there.  And even in the off-season, there is always something going on, somewhere to listen to music and a farmer’s market to stroll.

For the right price, there will always be quiet, gated neighborhoods that may not have issues with crowds or less dense areas to choose from.   And some people will say, “the west end is the best end” because it’s quieter.  I do enjoy staying around Gulf Place, but at heart, I am an east-end gal.

Rosemary Beach is my favorite place to be, and walkability is very important to my family with we travel.  So, my recommendations are really for the main town centers (areas like Seaside and Watercolor, Rosemary Beach, and Seacrest Beach, the more densely populated areas – the ones that have a higher concentration of vacation rentals.

January on 30A

January and February are the slowest months on 30A.   Most people don’t travel again right after the holidays; the weather is often the coldest.  It could be 70 degrees, or it could be 40 degrees.  This is a great time to visit if you want to explore and eat out. Look for a rental with a heated pool.

You can often find some of the best deals in January.  I know that my own rates are 80% lower in January than in July.  I would personally recommend staying in Seaside / Watercolor or Rosemary Beach / Seacrest Beach, as most places will be open, and rentals should be reasonably priced.  You will find that some establishments do close for 2 weeks in mid-January or early February for annual maintenance and to give their staff a much-needed break!  Since this is the slowest month of the year, you may encounter more construction than usual.  This is the time when condos are renovated, and roadwork is usually done.

There is a 30A Singer Songwriters Festival in mid-January each year, and performers are stationed at restaurants and bar the entire length of 30A.  Advance tickets are required to enter those.  This does draw people here but really doesn’t make it feel “busy,” but beware that you may not get into some restaurants without tickets to the event.

February on 30A

Just like in January, you can have a wide range of weather in February.  Last week, when I was there with friends, it was 42 degrees and raining, and tomorrow, it will be 68 degrees and sunny.  So, last-minute bookings are usually the way to go!  Again, look for somewhere with a heated pool.  The Gulf of Mexico is about as cold as it gets in February, and you won’t even want to dip your toes in there.  Unless you are from Minnesota.  But I will say that the winter sunsets are THE BEST on 30A as the sun sets further out over the gulf.

The first two weeks are the quietest, with some restaurants still closed, but I am really talking about just a few.  The town centers in Seaside and Rosemary Beach always have a majority of establishments open.  Since prices are about as low as they get, I would take this opportunity to stay in those areas.  The beautiful home that my friends and I rented last weekend was around $4000 for 3 nights in February and would be over $25,000 for a week in the summer.   Many rentals require a 7-day minimum (usually Saturday-Saturday) during peak season but allow shorter stays in the shoulder and off-seasons, making this a great time for a quick getaway to get a feel for the area!

March on 30A

The first week in March is great!  The “season” starts March 1, so everything is back up and running, but it’s not quite Spring Break yet.  The gulf is still cool, but on a sunny day, you can enjoy the sandy beach!   Again, look for a heated pool this time of year.

Once Spring Break starts, usually the 2nd week in March, it is BUSY.  The area is full of families on Spring Break, and you need to plan to dine early or at least get your name in early or expect long wait times.  Rates will be at peak season prices.  Most places will have their live music and special event programming back up and running, which is always a good time!

The main thing to expect (prepare yourself for) is dozens, if not hundreds, of teenagers riding around on bikes, and with each passing year, they seem to be causing more and more trouble.  A lot of families travel together from places like Atlanta and rent several homes together.  Since it is such a safe area, the parents let the kids (ages 12-18) run wild.  Often times, a curfew has to be put in place for anyone under 18 without adult supervision, and the Walton County Sheriff usually has to set up mobile command centers in Seaside.

You may be thinking, what in the actual heck is she talking about?  It’s a ridiculous problem to have, isn’t it?  It’s real! The teens are begging to come here, and a lot of the families are choosing to visit here so that their kids can do this, but they cause a lot of disruption, and the things I hear coming out of their mouths make me cringe.   They meet up at places through Snapchat and move through the communities in large groups. While we are mostly small condos that we own, our own community has to hire additional security to keep them from congregating in our parking lots and breaking into the hot tub at night.

So, parents of teens, if you are reading this, please watch your kids!

April on 30A

The first week in April is still Spring Break. And depending on when Easter falls each year, that is a busy weekend as well.  If Easter falls on Spring Break, it’s probably the busiest weekend of the year, next to the 4th of July.  But I know that many people are traveling around school calendars, and honestly, anytime on 30A is better than no time spent here!

The rest of April is more mellow! Temperatures are rising, and it does not quite peak season pricing yet.  All restaurants are open.  You probably want a heated pool, but the Gulf is starting to warm up a little.  You can easily have a nice sunny beach day.

Also, many of the airlines pause seasonal nonstop routes to 30A  in the off-season. This includes places like Austin, Texas, St Louis, Missouri, and dozens more!  By April, they are usually back on the schedule, and you will be able to find more nonstop flights from destinations throughout the US.

May on 30A

If I hadn’t said the 2nd week in September was the best time to visit 30A, it would have been the middle of May.   September and May are literally the BEST TIMES TO VISIT 30A!

While the Gulf isn’t as warm in May as it is in September, you don’t have the risk of hurricane season either.  Temperatures are pretty close to perfect in May.  It’s hot but not sweltering like it is in the summer.   You can still get some decent rates on 30a accommodations, and the wait times at restaurants aren’t nearly as long as in the summer.  I would say the area is at 80% occupancy this time of year, less on the weekdays.

Now, starting the Friday of Memorial Day weekend, it is peak season.  See June below.

June on 30A

Summers are busy on 30A.  And while the area is 100% booked up, you don’t have quite the same issues that plague Spring Break and Fall Break since not as many families are traveling together in the summer.

The main thing to expect is busy beaches.  You want to be on the beach from 10 am-2 pm, and so does everyone else!  I always recommend going in the afternoon.  Bring dinner and drinks and catch the sunset.  It’s also not nearly as hot, and your sunburned self will thank me later for this little piece of advice.  If you are in a location that is more dense, the beaches will be the busiest.  The state parks on 30A are really great this time of year, as they limit capacity, but make sure to get there as soon as they open.

Traffic and parking are also important considerations in the summer.  I personally recommend an area walkable to the beach (regardless of how busy it is) because finding parking at the public beaches will be difficult.  Some people choose to rent golf carts on 30A. However, these are LSVs and are treated as cars.  So, you can’t park the cart somewhere that you can’t park a car.

Some communities have banned golf carts, so check with your vacation rental host before renting one.   Not everyone will agree with me, but I think being in a location where you can park your car and not get into it until you leave will make your trip much more enjoyable!  And all four of my condos offer just that because that is what is most important to me.

One thing that I love about summer is that Seaside and Rosemary Beach have daily activities for families.  You can enjoy face painting, magic shows, theater, concerts, and more!  My guests love going to these special events.

July on 30A

See June.

The week of the 4th of July is the busiest and most expensive of the year.  Things book up very early.  Some of the small communities have fireworks and parades!  Just expect it to be busy, and pack your patience!

The rest of July is busy and HOT.  The days are long, so take advantage of those evenings at the beach.  We love going to the pool during the day and the beach before sunset.  You can even grab a pizza and take it down there.  Just make sure to put your pizza order in as early as possible!

You need to be flexible with meals as most places will have long waits this time of year as the sun sets later and everyone is heading out to eat at the same time.  Consider dining right at 5 pm, then catch the sunset, enjoy live music, and grab an ice cream treat later!

Also, since most rentals are from Saturday to Saturday, the traffic and airport lines are pretty intense.  Imagine hundreds of thousands of people coming in and out of town at the same time!  So, grocery stores and delivery services will be busiest on Saturday and first thing Sunday morning.  Consider packing a cooler to get you through the first day!

But I love July.  Nothing makes me happier than sitting down at Peddlers Pavillion listening to live music every night.  I love watching the little kids dancing around and so many families making beautiful memories in their new favorite place.  I don’t care what others say.  Summers on 30A are magical.  The energy in the air is something special.  Except for the people who didn’t read this post and came expecting a private beach and walking right into dinner.  You must be flexible in the summer on 30A.  Eat dinner early.  Then get ice cream later!

August on 30A

Once the kids go back to school in August (usually after the 2nd week), the pace slows just a little bit.  It’s somewhat easier to find vacation rentals during the last two weeks of the month.  The weather is hot and humid, and the Gulf of Mexico is nice and warm!  It’s a great time of year to paddleboard and snorkel.   If your children aren’t yet of grade school age, but you still want to vacation in the summer, consider these last two weeks in August.

And if you visit 30A in August, please be kind to the locals.  With school starting back, many have lost their seasonal help and are beaten up after a long, hard summer.  Show some extra gratitude, both in smiles and in cash, for these hard workers and small business owners who make 30A what it is.

September on 30A

Labor Day weekend is back to summer crowds and prices, but after that, it is smooth sailing for a few weeks!  That is as long as we stay out of the cone.  It is peak hurricane season, after all, and while we have been lucky in recent years, you may want to consider purchasing travel insurance.  That said, I have spent a lot of time down there in September and enjoyed near-perfect weather.  It’s still warm outside, but often times, the Gulf of Mexico is even warmer!  If you want to get in your Vitamin Sea, this is the time to go.

September isn’t considered off-season but more of a shoulder season.  The past two years, it has seen fairly high occupancy, but it’s more of a relaxed crowd.  A lot of couples and families with small kids enjoy visiting 30A in September.

Some years, Fall Breaks will start in September.  So, be cognizant of that and pay attention to this calendar. See October for more on what to expect during Fall Break.

October on 30A

October is a very interesting month on 30A!  Depending on when districts schedule their Fall breaks, the first two weeks are usually as busy as Spring Break was in March, and the end of the month calms down again.

Fall Break is a big thing in the South, with most schools having a week off.  This typically overlaps Columbus Day and falls during the first two weeks of the month.  The teens are back on their bikes with their backpacks of beer and their Snapchat in hand.  This problem bothers me because it is fixable if parents just knew where their kids are and what they are up to! 

Once in a Facebook group, I saw someone comment facetiously, “But Tristan and Trixie are stellar kids…”.   Unless you know what your kids are up to, you don’t know what they are up to.   And the stories of vandalism and utter disrespect many of these kids show for both locals and other vacationers are unreal.

So, if you come during Fall break, please keep an eye on your teens so that everyone can have a great time enjoying this wonderful place.  And again, these are middle and high school kids vacationing there with families, not college kids on break.

November on 30A

With the exception of Thanksgiving weekend, November is pretty quiet.  It’s still fairly mild in temperature, and none of the establishments close, although some may have shortened hours and moderated entertainment schedules.

If I were to come in November, I would make sure I had a car and spend a full week on 30A.  I would hit up all of the iconic places like Red Bar in Grayton Beach at a slow pace.  I would go to all of the state parks and walk the beach at sunrise and sunset in a light jacket.

If you are looking for a slower pace, sunshine, open roads, and ample time to explore, early November may be perfect for you.  And while it’s cooling off fast, the Gulf of Mexico is still warm enough to wade around in!

And 30A does holidays right!  Toward the middle of November, gorgeous Christmas trees and twinkling lights will adorn each town.  My favorite night of the year on 30A is the day after Thanksgiving, when Rosemary Beach has its annual tree lighting. Santa rides in on a horse-drawn carriage after the crowd belts out jingle bells together.  I have an Instagram reel I made this year.  It’s just magic!

If you love to run, make sure to sign up for the Thanksgiving Day 30A10K (and 5k and 1-mile fun run) in Rosemary Beach.  We did it as a family in 2021, and it was fun.  Check out this quick video from that morning!

December on 30A

The majority of December is off-season.  I know that some restaurants like to close after Thanksgiving weekend and reopen after Christmas.  It’s a much-needed break for everyone! But most places are still open.  It can be chilly but is much like November when it comes to pace.  You have time to explore.  You have more freedom this time of year.  Consider an extra-long bike ride on the Timpoochee Trail that runs the entire length of 30A!  That can be a tough task in the summer, with so many other bikers and pedestrians doing the same thing.   You get so much more bang for your buck when booking a vacation rental this time of year as well.

The week between Christmas and New Year’s Day is a wonderful time to visit too.  I see SO MANY extended families doing their holiday celebrations that week, and I love the idea!  Everyone can enjoy Christmas at home but then come together in such a special place to make holiday memories together and ring in a new year with their loved ones!

Is There Truly A Best Time to Visit 30A?

I think that any time is a good time to visit 30A.  Each month offers something very different, and I feel that you have to experience it at different times to know what is the perfect fit for you.  And as I said above, expectations are so important when planning your visit to 30A.  I hope that this blog post has helped you get a better picture of what to expect at different times of the year.  And if you have any questions or comments, leave me a note on this post.

And if you are a couple or small family looking for a vacation rental, please consider staying with me at one of our four top-rated condos near Rosemary Beach.  I provide curated recommendations for each and every guest and do everything I can to make sure they get everything they want out of their visit to 30A.  We have a heated pool, and this area is 100% walkable.  Our beach gets busy in the summer, but you can enjoy live music all summer long and most shoulder season weekends, and you won’t have to get into your car the entire time you are here!

As for me, I have to go pack my bag because my absolute favorite time to visit 30A is when I get to share it with my friends and family.  And I can’t wait to love on my niece and nephew!

PS: Read my 30A Packing List blog before your trip!

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If you are considering purchasing a short-term vacation rental and becoming an Airbnb host, I have a whole section here on my blog about our journey so far.  I always welcome a conversation about my experience and am always happy to share advice, so feel free to leave me a comment or reach out to me on either of our Instagram accounts below!

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