Living at the Beach

Ever imagine what it would be like to live the NW Florida coastal lifestyle? Tune in here to learn what life along the beaches of 30A is really like!

Walton County will begin accepting Beach Driving Lottery Applications for the 2023 Lottery on April 1, 2023.

Applications will be accepted through May 10, 2023, and will be accepted by mail, in-person, or online. Applicants must be full-time Walton County residents and meet all requirements as outlined in Ordinance 2022-02. Applications will not be accepted unless all eligibility requirements are met and all documentation is provided at the time of application submission. Incomplete applications will not be eligible for the lottery drawing.

To apply, visit: Code Compliance Beach Permits

Beach driving is primarily allowed at Grayton Beach near the Red Bar restaurant and in Inlet Beach at the end of South Walton Lakeshore Drive. The Inlet Beach…

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8 Benefits of a Home Watch Service for Your Scenic 30A Beach Home

Owning a home-away-from-home here on the beaches of Scenic 30A is a dream come true for many, and quite a few owners choose not to rent their home or condo so they can have the freedom of enjoying their home whenever they want. But stumbling onto something as seemingly minor as a broken icemaker can suddenly turn a peaceful weekend into one filled with unnecessary drama!

Whether you’re an out-of-state owner, or live here full-time, and are considering hiring a reputable Home Watch Service to handle emergency issues and routine preventative maintenance, here are a few options you may want to be sure are covered in the plans offered to you:

Weekly Maintenance

A weekly plan can…

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While our world-famous beaches draw many to unwind, relax, and recharge, there are also several unforgettable experiences centered around music, food, and art that let you explore all our beach towns in diverse, fun ways. Here are some of our favorite annual festivals you won't want to miss out on! 

30A Songwriters Festival

This world-famous event takes place in January and brings together talented songwriters from all over the world to perform their original music in various intimate venues throughout the beach towns along 30A. The festival features more than 175 songwriters performing over four days in various indoor and outdoor venues, including theaters, outdoor amphitheaters, bars, and even private homes. Along with live performances,…

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A Guide to 30A Architecture Styles: Everything You Need to Know

Are you looking for a comprehensive guide to 30A architecture styles? If so, you’ve come to the right place! Today, we're providing an overview of the architectural styles found in 30A communities, from classic beach cottages to modern contemporary homes. Whether you’re planning to purchase or build a home on Scenic 30A or are just curious about the different design styles in our area, this guide has all the information you need.


Cottage Style

The cottage-style of architecture can be seen throughout 30A communities, but perhaps nowhere more than in Grayton Beach, FL. Generations of families have been spending summers here as far back as the 1800s. While it’s now a vibrant arts…

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It has been observed that the joy of giving lasts longer than the joy of getting.

Volunteering and supporting community organizations is one way to deepen social connections and an overall sense of belonging. It’s also a fun and easy way to explore your interests and passions. Just ask any volunteer in South Walton!

We are fortunate to belong to a strong community of groups and organizations focused on benefiting the people, places, and natural surroundings that make our area so special. There are numerous organizations to pick from, including habitat preservation, helping children and families, or bringing together a thriving arts community. 

CLICK HERE for a list of non-profit organizations you can support.

One such organization is …

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Saying 'goodbye' to the iconic old fishing pier was more bitter than sweet for many locals and long-time visitors to Camp Helen State Park. Sadly, the pier remnants had become a public safety hazard and were permanently removed this past spring, ahead of hurricane season. But now, peering from the southwest shore of Lake Powell is a nearly completed 142-foot ADA boardwalk and dock. The new dock will sport six boat slips and an ADA fishing platform. 

Construction of the boardwalk and dock is to be completed in early 2023. Plans for a new parking area, restrooms, and pavilion are slated for the area north of U.S. Hwy 98 (no start date yet). 

This serene, 180-acre State Park is surrounded by water on three sides, with Lake Powell, a rare coastal…

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Walton County has officially designated October as Coastal Dune Lake Month. This is a new designation and a unique way to honor our unique Coastal Dune Lakes through education and activities.

In celebration of the past 20 years of protection efforts, the board will host a month-long celebration to include community education and outreach, coastal dune lake cleanup activities, tours of the coastal dune lakes, restoration activities, and more. Here are events you can enjoy and participate in:

Every Saturday in October • DIY Coastal Dune Lake Clean-Up

Oct 5th & 19th • Lecture and Nature Trail Tour: Panhandle Outdoor Live

Oct 12th and 17th • Award-winning documentary on WFSU (PBS) Jewels of The Emerald Coast  

Oct 18th & 20th • Deer Lake…

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Lots of fun events are happening on and around Scenic 30A during the month of October. We've put together some of the highlights for you, so you don't miss out!:

Oct 1 •  Forest Williams Band

Hibiscus Coffee & Guesthouse • hibiscusflorida.com


Oct 7  •  Houndfest Beer Dinner

Idyll Hounds Brewery • facebook/houndfest


Oct 9 • Porch Fest at Watersound

Watersound Origins  •  facebook/porchfest


Oct 13  •  Film series at Eden Garden St Park

Facebook/fall-film-series


Oct 13-16  •  Harvest Wine & Food Festival 

Watercolor  • dcwaf.org


Oct 21-22  •  Alys Beach Crafted

Alys Beach Amphitheater • Alysbeachcrafted.com


Oct 28  •  Alys Beach Annual Halloween Festival

Alys Beach •…

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South Walton, FL – The Walton County Tourism Department and the Friends of South Walton Sea Turtles are, once again, hosting an International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) day on Saturday, Sept. 17, from 9 – 11 a.m.

Both residents and visitors are encouraged to participate. Volunteer Beach Ambassador teams will be hosting groups at five South Walton Regional Beach Accesses listed below:

  1. Inlet Beach Regional Access, 139 S Orange St., Inlet Beach
  2. Santa Clara Regional Access, 3468E Co Hwy 30A, Seagrove
  3. Ed Walline Regional Access, 4447 W Co Hwy 30A, Gulf Place
  4. Dune Allen Regional Access, 5999 W Co Hwy 30A, Dune Allen
  5. Miramar Beach Regional Access, 2375 Scenic Gulf Dr., Miramar Beach

Participants can choose to count their collected…

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This week, a waterspout in Destin reminded us that hurricane season is not over!

Hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30, has been relatively quiet in Florida this summer. (Let's hope we haven't jinxed it just by mentioning it!)

Weather experts say 95% of all major hurricanes occur after August 1. So, we've put together a few other tips to help you stay prepared for the rest of the season!

Did you know you can sign-up to receive local alerts for Walton County?


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