Slices of 30A: Your 30A & South Walton Real Estate Blog - Local News from 30A

Whether you're a full-time South Walton resident or absentee 30A property owner,  we'll keep you posted on what's happening along the Beaches of South Walton. Our local news covers
a wide range of topics from the Coastal Dune Lakes, news about upcoming public meetings, new developments, South Walton Schools and much more.

Tickets Are On Sale Now for the 30A Songwriters Festival 2027

One of South Walton's most anticipated weekends is on the calendar. Tickets are now on sale for the 30A Songwriters Festival, returning over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, January 16–19, 2027. The 30A Songwriters Festival is now in its 18th year and has grown into the biggest and most respected songwriters festival in the Southeast. Music fans from around the world come to enjoy great performances in special venues along Florida's Gulf Coast. This year, more than 175 well-known songwriters will perform over four days in more than 30 venues along Scenic Highway 30A. You can enjoy small shows in cozy rooms for under 100 people or see big concerts for thousands at…

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30A Events Guide: Festivals, Fireworks & Family Fun This Summer

Summer is one of the best times to experience everything that makes Scenic Highway 30A so special. Beyond the sugar-white sand and emerald waters, South Walton comes alive with outdoor concerts, family festivals, local theater, art workshops, wildlife experiences, and patriotic celebrations that bring our beach communities together.

Whether you're vacationing along 30A, spending the Fourth of July at the beach, or you're lucky enough to call South Walton home, there's something happening almost every week. Here's our guide to some of the best events taking place in late June and throughout July.

Don't Miss These Summer Favorites

If you're only in town for a few days, these are…

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Seagrove Beach Access, Just Got a Little Easier

There’s a new beach access point in Seagrove, and it’s a meaningful addition to this stretch of 30A. Walton County has opened the Seagrove Regional Beach Access at 3910 E. County Highway 30A, making it the county’s 10th Regional Beach Access. In a place where beach access is sometimes hard to find, 100 feet of new public beachfront is a big improvement. The site includes 23 parking spaces, with spots for ADA access and bicycles, a 1,011-square-foot restroom, rinse showers, and a dune walkover that is ADA-accessible. It connects right to the multi-use path, so it’s easy to get there whether you drive or bike. Tower 21, the newest lifeguard tower in South Walton, is also on site.…

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Celebrating Visionary Design: The 2026 Seaside Prize Goes to Marieanne Khoury-Vogt & Erik Vogt

Each year, the Seaside Institute gathers architects, planners, designers, and community leaders from around the country to recognize people whose work influences how we live and build. In 2026, Marieanne Khoury-Vogt and Erik Vogt, founders of Khoury & Vogt Architects (KVA), received the Seaside Prize™. This award honors those who make a real difference in architecture, urban design, and community development. This video is more than just a ceremony—it tells a story. It shows the people behind the projects, the places they have shaped, and the spirit of the New Urbanism movement. Whether you are a designer, a community advocate, or just someone who…

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New in Walton County Parks: Geocaching Turns Our Trails into a Real-Life Treasure Hunt

Adventure lovers in Walton County have a new reason to explore our local parks and trails—Walton County has officially launched its very own Geocaching program! If you’ve never tried geocaching before, think of it as a real-life treasure hunt that uses GPS coordinates to guide you to hidden “caches” tucked throughout our county parks. It’s a fun way to get outside, move your body, and discover scenic spots you might normally walk right past. Whether you’re an experienced “cacher” or just looking for a new family-friendly outdoor activity, this one is easy to jump into—and totally free.

What is Geocaching?

Geocaching is a worldwide outdoor adventure…

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Another Milestone for 30A’s Luxury Market

A recent $41 million sale in Paradise by the Sea is making headline news well beyond South Walton, drawing national attention to Scenic Highway 30A and setting a new price record for the Florida Panhandle. While sales at this level are rare, the significance of this transaction lies less in the headline number and more in what it reveals about the upper boundary of demand in today’s coastal luxury market.

The Gulf-front property, located in one of 30A’s most exclusive gated communities, changed hands as part of a strategic redevelopment plan. Rather than a typical end-user purchase, the buyer intends to reimagine the site, signaling long-term confidence in the value of irreplaceable Gulf-front land.

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How to Experience the 2026 30A Songwriters Festival Like a Local

Every January, South Walton becomes home to one of the country’s most beloved music events — the 30A Songwriters Festival. Now in its 17th year, this uniquely intimate, artist-driven celebration runs over the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend, January 16–19, 2026. Whether you’re a local or planning a beachside getaway, here’s how to make the most of your festival weekend. Over the course of four days, you’ll discover:
  • 150+ artists performing across 25+ venues.
  • Shows in intimate spaces, from boutiques and restaurants to larger amphitheaters.
  • A mix of genres: folk, Americana, rock, soul, blues, and more.
And with events scattered from WaterColor to Rosemary…

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Last Call for the 30A / Scenic Walton License Plate (and It’s Actually Super Easy!)

Walton County friends—if you’ve been meaning to grab the 30A / Scenic Walton charity license plate, this is your friendly nudge. It might be the last chance to get one before it’s gone for good.
Here’s what’s happening: over 3,000 locals pre-ordered these tags to support Scenic Walton’s safety and beautification work. But not enough people have actually picked them up and put them on vehicles yet. If 3,000 plates aren’t on the road by December 31, the State will discontinue the plate. Translation: no more 30A tags—and Scenic Walton loses funding that helps keep Walton County looking great and functioning better. And that funding adds up in a real way: Scenic…

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Café Thirty-A is Celebrating its 30th Anniversary!

One of South Walton’s most anticipated holiday traditions is back and extra special this year. Café Thirty-A is celebrating its 30th anniversary with the return of its beloved Charity Ball, an evening filled with incredible food, festive energy, and community spirit.

Each year, the Charity Ball brings locals and visitors together to support a cause close to home:  Caring and Sharing of South Walton, a local nonprofit dedicated to helping families with financial support, food, and counseling. What better way to embark on the season of gratitude than by making a heartfelt impact?

Guests can look forward to Chef-created dishes, signature cocktails, lively auctions, live music, and the classic…

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There’s no better way to spend the Thanksgiving holiday than with friends and family along South Walton’s 26 miles of sugar-white sand and turquoise water. Plus, with plenty of to-go or dine-in options to choose from, it’s easy to skip the cooking (and cleaning the dishes), without missing out on great food and family time. Here are some Thanksgiving dining and activity options in South Walton.

Thanksgiving Day To-Go / Catering Options:

Nov. 25: Emeril's Coastal "From Our Kitchen to Yours"

Let your family at Emeril's Coastal do the cooking! Turkey dinners serve six, and a variety of traditional Thanksgiving sides, soups, cocktails, wines, and desserts are also available. Order online before 9 p.m., Nov. 23, and pick up on Nov. 25 or Nov.…

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