30A, Florida: A Complete Travel Guide

Seaside, Florida

Seaside is just a short 10 minute drive down the highway (from our rental in Inlet Beach)! Whether you take the golf cart or car, there are parking lots available for both with free and paid parking options. It’s a VERY family-friendly / kid-friendly spot with large field areas for the kids to run and play, in addition to daily/weekly events such as movies in the park, live music, kids bands, yoga, etc! Beach access is paid within Seaside (renting chairs and umbrellas), but always free to access for the sunsets—it’s a gorgeous spot to run around and do photos! A must-see is the classic US Post Office, which is always decorated during the holidays, too!

In terms of restaurants, Seaside has a ton to offer! We were able to try out many spots and got great recommendations from locals as well. I’m including a list of favorites below along with some of our favorite dishes at each, if you’re wanting to plan your trip around a few stops to eat, which I know we all do:

Airstream Walk-Ups (picnic benches/tables open to eat at): 

• Meltdown on 30A: Gourmet grilled‑cheese specialist, serving both classic and creative sandwiches (think meatloaf melt, pimento cheese, brie & bacon) along with comforting soups and chips.
• Barefoot BBQ: A fusion of Southern, Caribbean & Texas-style barbecue. Their hormone-free meats, ribs, brisket sandwiches, and sides like mac & cheese and baked beans have made them a local favorite.
• Frost Bites: Seaside’s original Airstream food truck! Hawaiian shaved ice with ultra-fine texture, plus frozen custard, cream sauces, and over 30 flavors to choose from.
• Wild Bill’s Beach Dogs: Premium hot-dogs from grass-fed and family-farmed meats. They offer gourmet toppings and flavors like Chicago-style or spicy chili—our kids LOVE Wild Bill’s.
• Crêpes du Soleil: French-style sweet & savory crêpes (Nutella, bananas foster, cordon bleu) plus frozen cocktails like Frosé — even gluten-free batter is available! 
• Mr. Gyro Hero: Mediterranean stall with made-to-order gyros, falafel, kabobs, Greek salads, and a variety of hummus – family-run since 2009.

Sit Down Style or Order & Go:

• The Great Southern Café: A charming downtown eatery offering a fusion of Southern and international flavors, with a friendly vibe and fresh ingredients—perfect for brunch, lunch, or dinner. Their food is delicious – from the fresh seafood to the cheesy grits!
• Bud & Alley’s Waterfront Restaurant & Roof Deck Bar: Iconic Gulf views plus a refined menu of coastal fare. Enjoy wood-fired pizza at the Pizza Bar or tacos at the Taco Bar—with a rooftop spot to sip cocktails at sunset. This place is large with lots of options for sit-down or casual style eating. The tacos are amazing as well as the pizza!
• The Daytrader: A local favorite praised for its fun atmosphere and varied menu—great for casual dinners! Fun cocktails (single or shareable) and never a bad meal! The decor is super cute and vibey! 
• Shrimp Shack Boardwalk Bar: (at The Shrimp Shack): lobster rolls, fresh oysters, and shrimp! Cute, casual, walk up and go spot!
• Pickle’s Sandbar: Offering craft cocktails, beer, wine, and full‑service seating – perfect for sipping by the beach at sunset. Delicious burgers & shakes, fun vibe, and really cute merch! The best french fries too! The boys LOVE Pickle’s. 
• Drome: This place JUST opened but it is a MUST VISIT!!! Everything on the menu is amazing, it’s family-oriented, and the owners are SO so nice.
• It’s Heavenly: An ice cream shop within Seaside nestled between shopping!

The Best Spot For Coffee & Baked Goods:

• BLACK BEAR! This is our favorite place for coffees and bakery items!! You can even buy a loaf of homemade sourdough. Bear Lattes and the almond croissants are our favories. They also have breakfast/lunch sandwiches and kids food. They’re open til 5pm most days in Seaside. The kids also love their sugar sprinkle cookies!

As for things to do in Seaside, there are so many! For waterfront ambiance and elevated coastal cuisine, go to Bud & Alley’s, Fish Out of Water, or Vue on 30A. For solid, local-favorite dinners, try Cafe 30A, Seagrove Village Market, or The Daytrader. For casual, weeknight or weekend meals, try Hurricane Oyster Bar, Shunk Gulley, and Surfing Deer!

In terms of shopping, Seaside has a ton to offer! There are so many cute shopping options for women, men, and kids! A few favorites include:

• Duckies: A whimsical kids-and-kids-at‑heart store filled with apparel, toys, beach gear, and fun novelty gifts – bright colors and good vibes galore. This is a SUPER cute store but it is tightly packed and filled with grabable items for kids – just be aware it may be hard to leave without buying anything if you have littles with you 🙂 The big ducky outside is super cute for photos!!
• Seaside Kids: A children’s boutique (with tees and gear themed around Seaside) catering to toddlers up through tweens in a lighthearted, playful atmosphere. If you’ve ever seen kids running around with the iconic “Seaside, FL” shirts or sweatshirts, this is the store for that! 
• Sundog Books: A cozy independent bookstore offering carefully selected books – from regionally focused titles to fiction, children’s books, and local interest fare.
• Wood + Wave): A lifestyle shop showcasing women’s and men’s clothing, jewelry, accessories, and home décor with a laid-back coastal-meets-boho aesthetic. 
• The Seaside Style: The town’s official lifestyle brand, offering comfortable tees, sweatshirts, accessories, home goods, kids’ items, and even dog apparel—all with Seaside’s signature palette.
• Cabana by The Seaside Style: My personal FAVORITE store!! A sister store to The Seaside Style, this beachside shop features breezy caftans, linens, vibrant prints, statement hats, and curated jewelry. They have the cutest, trendy, and on-style pieces. 
• Looks Like Love Boutique: A stylish boutique carrying curated women’s clothing, shoes, pajamas & loungewear, and seasonal accessories. Located just off Central Square. They have the cutest exterior – feels like you’re in Paris!