30a
We’ve been going to the beaches of 30a for years. Since I started dating my husband nine years ago, I’ve gone with his family to visit the picturesque panhandle of Florida. The panhandle, you say? It sounds unappealing; It’s anything but. The shore is filled with white sand, the water a gorgeous green… Our resort, Water Color, is aptly named; it’s as if you’re staring at perfect paint strokes. Last year I did a post on the place but it barely scratched the stunning surface so a much deserved follow up is below.
Those who follow my Instagram account know the trip got off to a bit of a rough start.
We, unfortunately, can’t fly direct from NYC (the only drawback of this trip) so that required two flights and a layover but mama was prepared with a whole set of new summer themed books, stickers, toys- and, of course, a fully loaded iPad and tons of snacks!
And my little traveler did so well! After the first flight, she even graduated from car seat to sitting in her own seat, which she found so exciting and we found much easier (No lugging a huge convertible car seat around the airport, smacking other passengers down the ever-decreasing aisle and installing it once on the plane while having others try to board!) if just a little sad that our baby is growing up.
Starbucks for all helped with the early morning!
(We rent a different house each year at Water Color Inn & Resort. This year was the best so far! If you’re looking, check out 11 Calamint Court- it’s simply stunning.)
And plenty of the local fav, Grayton Beer’s 30 A Beach Blonde Ale, to nurse our sorrows.
By the next day, all was well with the world! (Just too much travel and a carsick baby.)
And we were off to the pool!
And a rita to round it off.
It was a pretty perfect day.
The icing? Meeting girlfriends- who happened to be in town- for crazy good cocktails at Havana Beach at The Pearl Hotel (we sat upstairs, outside overlooking the beach) and dinner at La Crema, a delicious tapas restaurant in Rosemary Beach, a few doors down from The Pearl.
Day 2 and back at it!
Cousin love.
Followed by porch swings…
…outdoor showers (a new found fav!)…
…and ice cream!
Dinner was take out from Chanticleer Bakery. (The place that makes the coconut cookies I raved about last year and, of course, had again this trip.) The shrimp and grits were divine. Seriously some of the best I’ve ever had. Already looking forward to next year’s!
The next day, when an early morning bike ride proved unappealing, we headed elsewhere!
Guests of Water Color are also allowed access to Watersound Beach Club, providing a nice change of scenery. It was far less crowded than Water Color and the baby pool is leaps and bounds better but the beach is a bit of a hike.
A 30a mainstay is George’s in Alys Beach- and for good reason!
The food is on point.
Another day, another suit.
And a golf cart selfie.
Our afternoon snack of choice on that particular day was Pop Stop. We’ll be stopping and popping a lot more after our milk and cookies experience! It was so delicious. Dairy and dough not for you? There’s over two dozen fruity and creamy concoctions!
Time to work off some of the vacation. Since my little didn’t want to go, her dad and I did a date day pedal while the grandparents watched the monitor.
The Boat House at Water Color offers stand up paddling, fishing, kayaking, etc. for an alternative to beaching it. They also carry a few homemade pops in different daily flavors.
Double date night with my husband, sister-in-law and brother-in-law was at Caliza in Alys Beach, a breathtaking, white-washed setting around a pristine pool. It felt like we were in Greece or Mexico. It’s worth a trip just to drive around Alys as the scenery is sublime.
Next time though, we’ll just go for happy hour. While the landscape and cocktails were exquisite, the food was overpriced and small portioned. Some dishes were decent, others underwhelming.
One last cart cruise…
dip…
… and cone!
Before signing off till next year. A big thank you to my in-laws for yet another memorable and wonderful time!
While I love traveling to new places and crossing things off my ever-growing list, there’s something so refreshing and nostalgic about returning to the same destination every year. We’re able to build memories at some of the same spots, discover new ones and revisit old. I’m already dreaming of returning to a few next year and can’t wait to see what else we’ll explore!