Welcome to Inside 30A
- the space where you can learn all about the scene on 30A .
We talk to the natives and bring you the flavor of this area spiced up with our own comments and observations of life in this special corner of creation.

Until recently, Scenic 30A, in NW Florida, was the land time forgot, and an area which was once a region of weathered fishing villages, oyster bars, and white-clapboard churches. Around the turn of the century, many families living in Alabama and towns further inland in Northwest Florida, would vacation at Grayton Beach. This was one of the first tourist destinations on 30A.

It was not easy getting to Grayton Beach. There were no bridges over the southern parts of the Choctawhatchee River and the roads were almost nothing but sand trails. The scenic Hwy 30A that we see today was a small trail and most of the land around 30A was owned by the federal government. Somewhere around 1930, Highway 98 was completed, and the 331 bridge, was built over the Choctawhatchee bay.

During the 1940’s, one of the early tourists named J.S. Smolian would bring his family to Seagrove beach every summer. This early beach destination was also a small village on 30A where the adventurous tourists would frequent during the summer months.

Mr. Smolian decided to purchase 80 acres on the western edge of Seagrove Beach. This parcel of land reached across both sides of 30A and his initial intention was to build a summer camp for his employees. That never occurred because of differences of opinion held by business partners, and Mr. Smolian passed the property on to his grandson Robert Davis, who went on to create Seaside in the 1980s. This unique and internationally known community has won many awards for new Urbanism and its Southern Vernacular architecture. Stepping into Seaside is like stepping back in time, but with all the niceties that the present has to offer. Seaside also set the scene for the following communities.

In the 1990’s, another master-planned community located on the popular beachside road of 30A was born and named Rosemary Beach. The atmosphere here gives visitors the feel of a European Style beachside town, totally inclusive with shops, markets and restaurants.

Immediately following the success of Rosemary Beach, the state’s largest private landowner, St. Joe, helped the continuation of development on 30A with the communities of Watercolor and Watersound. They feature Southern coastal and New England coastal architecture with emphasis on creating yet another coastal village all inclusive of shops, living and the amenities of a coastal community.

Most recently, Alys Beach is being developed on 30A, with influences from Bermuda and Antigua Guatemala. When you travel down 30A and approach this community, you are immediately in awe of the rows of stately palm trees and the crisp white buildings pressing into the stark blue sky.
Please take a magical journey into our little piece of heaven called 30A by touring Inside 30A, read what the natives and we have to say and we will undoubtedly see you soon on 30A.