Alys Beach

The Vision in White

Alys Beach stands as a visually striking 158-acre resort community inspired by the brilliant-white traditional homes of Bermuda, creating an almost surreal experience along the Emerald Coast. This meticulously planned community is located on the eastern end of South Walton next to Seacrest Beach, where pristine all-white architecture and clean minimalist aesthetic make the area feel almost like a Mediterranean or Caribbean resort.

Architectural Marvel

The refined vision draws on sustainable design and construction techniques, with the entire community designed as the world’s first “Fortified…for safer living” development. No two homes are alike, despite sharing the same color and Caribbean influence in their brilliant-white stucco construction. Standard features include open-air courtyards with water features, outdoor galleries, terraces, and beautiful gardens, all embraced by quiet pedestrian corridors and green open spaces with gracious courtyard homes and pristine white rooftops.

World-Class Amenities

Caliza Pool – This breathtaking pool invites owners and guests to play, relax and enjoy the Gulf Coast sun in style, with stunning design and luxurious cabanas making it a must-see.

Dining & Shopping – Eateries range from organic offerings at Raw & Juicy to tempting treats at Charlie’s Donuts (famous food truck). George’s at Alys Beach sources fresh local produce and Gulf seafood, while The Citizen offers coastal cuisine from around the world.

Nature & Wellness – The Neighborhood Nature Preserve is a 20-acre area on the northern side, where the Alys Beach Nature Trail carries visitors past slash pines, cypress trees, wildflowers, and even carnivorous pitcher plants. ZUMA Wellness Center offers a place for fitness, restoration, and an elegant spirit of balance.

Art & Community

Art is the cornerstone of Alys Beach, where visitors can view sculptures, murals, and water features created by artists from around the world throughout the community. The amphitheater with splash pad and various parks create gathering spaces, while annual events like Digital Graffiti transform neighborhood buildings into life-size canvases for projected art.

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Rosemary Beach

Old World Charm Meets Modern Luxury

Visitors to Rosemary Beach often comment on the unexpected old world charm of this beachfront town, where cobblestone streets connect unforgettable boutique shops with rich architecture inspired by the historic homes of St. Augustine and the Caribbean. Founded in 1995 by Patrick D. Bienvenue and designed by Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company, this approximately 105-acre community includes more than 400 home sites and a mixed-use town center.

Architectural Elegance

The design reflects New Orleans’ French Quarter and European Colonial influences in the West Indies and Caribbean, featuring sustainable materials, natural color palettes, high ceilings for better air circulation, and balconies. Once the sun sets, flickering gas lamps light the way through town and an arcade of trees illuminates, giving children a magical place to run in the grass.

Premier Amenities

Four Community Pools – Barbados Pool (designed by Douglas Patrick Luke from the Caribbean), Cabana Pool (the most family-friendly with a connected kids’ playground), Coquina Pool (one depth throughout with no edges), and Sky Pool (an all-season indoor heated pool with a motorized panel roof).

Fitness & Recreation – The Tennis Club and Fitness Center boast top-notch facilities, while the community pools provide the perfect spot to unwind and soak up the sun.

Beach Access – Rosemary Beach encompasses 107 acres, including 2,500 feet of glorious white sand beach. Nine alphabetically-labeled beach walkovers (A through I) provide access to the Gulf of Mexico, with two being ADA wheelchair accessible.

Shopping & Dining

Downtown features locally owned gems like Disco, Gigi’s Fabulous Kids’ Fashion & Toys, Patchouli’s, Tracery Interiors, and The Hidden Lantern Bookstore with 15,000 titles. Dining options include The Summer Kitchen (the first restaurant in Rosemary Beach), La Crema Tapas & Chocolate for desserts, family-friendly Cowgirl Kitchen, Gallion’s for coastal-inspired dishes, and Edward’s for fine dining with a laid-back feel.

Year-Round Events

“The Long Green,” the pleasant grassy stretch along Scenic Highway 30A, frequently hosts outdoor festivals, markets, concerts and charity events. Ongoing yearly activities include outdoor ballet performances, movies, wine festivals, kids rock the block parties, theater, a farmers market and live outdoor concerts.

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Seaside

The Birthplace of New Urbanism

Conceived, planned and developed by Robert and Daryl Davis who inherited 80 acres in the 1970s, Seaside was created as a pedestrian-friendly community of cottages with picket fences and elevated porches. This groundbreaking new form of development, New Urbanism, creates a community with places of worship, schools, restaurants, shops, entertainment and homes all within a 10-minute walk. The town gained international fame as the filming location for “The Truman Show” and was named by Travel & Leisure magazine in its 100 Greatest Trips issue in 2009.

Iconic Architecture & Design

By regulation, Seaside architecture must be wood-shingled, clapboard and board-and-batten with deep front porches and shiny tin roofs like those in rural America, with tall narrow windows, two-story living areas, and old-fashioned cupolas and towers. No two structures are alike, featuring Victorian, Neoclassical, Modern, Postmodern, and Deconstructionism styles.

Community Highlights

Seaside Amphitheater – This open-air space with a big, comfy lawn serves as the spot for family movie nights under the stars, live bands, and holiday celebrations that sparkle with joy.

Airstream Row – A collection of retrofitted vintage Airstream trailers serve everything from hot sandwiches to fresh juices and baked goods beside a tree-canopied walkway.

Seaside Farmers Market – Held every Tuesday and Saturday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM in the Seaside Amphitheater, bringing together local growers and artisans offering fresh produce, dairy products, baked goods, and native plants.

Modica Market – Seaside’s grocery store is a delight to fans of The Truman Show, offering grocery staples, daily lunch specials, muffins the size of your head, and homemade cakes sold by the slice.

Arts & Culture

The Seaside Repertory Theatre (the REP) is a cultural treasure hosting performances throughout the year. The purple wall at 25 Central Square features a wall-sized mural, an artistic tribute to Vincent Scully. Hidden throughout are playgrounds, pools, and even a huge sundial tucked along the walking paths.

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WaterColor

Resort-Style Living

Nestled between Seaside and Western Lake, WaterColor’s 500 acres weaves luxe accommodations with elaborately planned parks, trails that lap the edges of 30A’s rare coastal dune lake, and Gulf views that never fail to take your breath. This master-planned beach community was established in 1999 by The St. Joe Company and has become one of the Gulf Coast’s most luxurious resorts.

Unmatched Amenities

Camp WaterColor – A family favorite featuring an expanded waterpark with Main Butterfly Pool with Monarch Slide and Caterpillar Pool with zero-entry children’s area and Skipper Slide, plus lazy river and full-service dining.

WaterColor Beach Club – Perched above the tranquil Gulf of Mexico, guests can choose from three tiers of pools: a shared pool, an adults-only pool, and a kids’ pool, all heated in winter with complimentary beach towels provided.

Recreation – Nine swimming pools spread throughout the community, a lakefront Boat House offering stand-up paddleboards and canoes for rent, and a Tennis facility with five Har-Tru HydroCourts.

Natural Beauty

Cerulean Park serves as WaterColor’s crown jewel, featuring a cascading fountain surrounded by Sand Live Oaks and an ever-changing rainbow of blooms. Walking trails crisscross the community with color-coded pathways marked with distance indicators, carrying visitors past Western Lake shores, tranquil ponds with lily pads, and opportunities to glimpse deer.

Dining Excellence

WaterColor Inn is home to the James Beard award-winning restaurant Fish Out of Water, serving fresh Apalachicola oysters and Gulf seafood with locally farmed ingredients. Beach Happy Cafe serves healthy wraps, fresh pastries, plant-based options, locally roasted coffee by Amavida, craft beer by Grayton Beer, and premium wine curated from Oregon.

Prime Location

WaterColor is in the center of the beach communities in South Walton, with Seaside neighboring the east side and Grayton Beach State Park directly to the west, allowing guests easy access to all the towns along 30A.

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Why Visit 30A?

These four communities represent the pinnacle of Emerald Coast living, each offering unique character while sharing:

• Sugar-white sand beaches and emerald-green Gulf waters
• Walkable, bike-friendly design with the 18-mile Timpoochee Trail connecting communities
• World-class dining from casual beach fare to James Beard award-winning restaurants
• Rich cultural events including farmers markets, art festivals, concerts, and holiday celebrations
• Family-friendly amenities including pools, splash pads, nature trails, and beach access
• Architectural significance showcasing New Urbanism principles and sustainable design

Whether you’re seeking the pristine white elegance of Alys Beach, the old-world charm of Rosemary Beach, the cultural richness of Seaside, or the resort luxury of WaterColor, Scenic Highway 30A offers an unparalleled Gulf Coast experience that keeps visitors returning year after year.