Beach vs. Mountains?

Craig and I just booked our anniversary trip to Old Edwards Inn in Highlands, NC.  I am really looking forward to a few days of rest and relaxation with Craig.  When planning a vacation, mountains always win in my books.  My sister is opposite and would choose beach 9 times out of 10. So, today I’m sharing a few of my favorite beach options that are relatively easy on the travel and offer lots of dining and entertainment options!  If I have my choice, I head down to the Beaches of 30A.  My friend Amanda lives in the area. I asked her to share with me some of the best local, and perhaps less known spots along 30A. Seaside and Rosemary are my two favorites.  And, if I have my choice, I’d like to stay right in town. However, these ‘towns’ are so close, finding a rental along 30A would be a more affordable option.  Seaside and Rosemary are both New Urbanism communities.   Seaside was one of the first of its kind, actually.  New Urbanism are walkable, vibrant, mixed-use communities made up of the same components as conventional developments, only more compact and integrated. They contain housing, work places, shops, entertainment, schools, parks, and civic facilities essential to the daily lives of the locals and visitors, all within easy walking distance (www.newurbanism.org).  This is particularly ideal for vacation destinations.  This means you can walk to the grocery, tennis courts, pools, shops, and restaurants.  When Craig and I went to Seaside last year we parked the car upon arrival and didn’t drive it until we headed out of town.  We walked everywhere for four days.  There was a bike ride from Seaside to Rosemary, but not one I would recommend.  It ended up being a bit further than I had anticipated. 

Rosemary has more of a European Village feel and more fine dining options.  They have also recently opened an upscale hotel, The Pearl Hotel.  The Pearl includes a few dining options.  Here are some of Amanda’s other recommendations.

·       Restaurant Paradis - known for their cocktails and gourmet food. 

·       Edwards - offers delicious food and has a fabulous wine selection. 

·       Havana Beach Sit in their swanky dining room with a live piano player, out on the open-air porches so you can people watch, or on the rooftop with views of the Gulf.  Best fries in Rosemary Beach and a delicious brunch.

·       George’s Bar - Another favorite restaurant right outside just a bike ride away from Rosemary in Alys Beach.  Note, this is not necessarily a bike ride away from Seaside. See above, the quick bike trip to George’s (which was closed) resulting in a few more pedal pushes to Rosemary after a quick stop at the Caliza (not open to the public for lunch, more on the Caliza later). My friend Amanda made a few menu recommendations.  She recommends the fried grouper “life changing” sandwich and the Abundance Bowl for lunch noting “it’s a party in your mouth.” 

·       Summer Kitchen- longest running restaurant in Rosemary and is a fantastic option for lunch.  They recently opened a second location in Town Center, underneath the Rosemary Beach Inn. The second location will specialize in carry-out lunches to take to the beach – great brunch!

·       Wild Olives and Cowgirl Kitchen- Stop by these two locations if you’re looking for a longer lunch option.  Cowgirl Kitchen also serves yummy pizzas at night. 

·       Crabby Steve’s - A secret insider tip for lunch in Rosemary Beach is Crabby Steve's.  It is a Gulf-side bar/restaurant in the High Pointe community directly to the west of Rosemary Beach.  It is within a gated community, so you have to walk there from the beach, but that is the charm of it!  The bartender is the known for her beachy cocktails and the food is everything you think of when you come to the beach - scallop wraps, fried shrimp, grouper sandwiches, seared tuna, and the best sweet potato fries in the world.  Look for the blue roofs west of Rosemary Beach. Just walk up the steep walkover steps and you're there.  It closes at sunset, so it needs to be on your agenda for lunch or midday/sunset cocktails.   Crabby Steves has the best views of the Gulf on the east end of 30A. 

·       Shades Bar & Grill –According to Amanda, no other option even compares to Shades for game day action.  It is at the corner of Hwy 98 and 30A, on the outskirts of Rosemary Beach, within walking distance. Act like a local and use the hashtag #shadesofourlives. 

·       Caliza Pool- Just outside of Rosemary is Alys Beach. It is a high end community with a gorgeous pool. The Caliza has tasty food and drinks but is only open to the public for dinner.  Hence, the bike incident that never ends. 

If we head back to Seaside Amanda has a lot of other recommendations.  Seaside was the original town on 30A setting the standard for new urbanism in the area.  Seaside is more laid back and family friendly.  If you’re looking for the perfect place for kids, Seaside is just the place.  My friend Brooke had a house in Seaside growing up.  I was fortunate enough to spend a lot of time there in the summers making memories that last a lifetime. 

·       Bud and Alleys - No trip to 30A is complete without a sunset cocktail (or 5+) at Bud and Alley's!  It has one of the best Gulf views on 30A, hands down, and the tuna dip is mouth watering. 

·       Bud's Taco Bar and Pizza Bar are pretty good too.  Bud’s Pizza Bar is on the edge of the dunes and has a large laidback patio. 

·       The Great Southern has the best southern beach food!  Their Grits a Ya-Ya are also considered to be life changing.  It is also one of the best spots for brunch along 30A!  They offer bloody mary's and mimosas all day. The same folks that own Great Southern are about to open a new wine bar/restaurant where Crush used to be, called 45 Central Square. 

·       The Bay - The owners of The Great Southern also have a restaurant on the Choctawhatchee Bay called, The Bay. It is at the foot of the 331 bridge and is worth the drive.

·       Modica Market- An adorable food market with take out breakfasts/lunches and prepared meals.  You can also get breakfast or lunch and eat at the tables just outside the restaurant.  Growing up I had my fair share of the Belgian waffles at Modica and would highly recommend one!

·       Food Truck Row - The food trucks that line the amphitheater are a fun and easy option.  Amanda mentioned that The Meltdown has some of the best grilled cheeses you'll ever eat.  Barefoot BBQ never disappoints and is one of the only spots along 30A to snag some BBQ. 

·       Wine World- Watercolor is just a short bike ride or walk away.  Pour a pina colada and head on over. One of the dinner options includes a wine flight and a gourmet brick oven pizza or fresh seafood options.  It has wonderful outdoor seating.

·       Fish Out of Water in Watercolor. If you want a high end restaurant and you're staying in Seaside, your best option is this award winning restaurant and has amazing Gulf views from its second floor spot at the Watercolor Inn. This restaurant is good for your fancy dinner out or a special celebration.

·       Cafe 30A- If you don't mind driving, this is another favorite restaurant to the east on 30A is a local favorite for fine dining.  This restaurant has been around since my childhood days and has never failed to disappoint.  It’s popular so be sure to make a reservation.