I just returned from there yesterday and when I say there…I was standing on that grass Tuesday a.m.!
I stayed at the Pearl Hotel and ate at the Havana restaurant…it was soooo good! But it’s quite pricey (my boss paid) Bud and Allies in Seaside is a great place to eat and watch the sunset…plus Seaside is where they filmed the Truman show. Rosemary beach is really pretty (my company designed the Loft Buildings) I Love the little bookstore there (lantern books I think) and the olive place on the corner is a yummy spot for lunch. If you want to get out for a real Florida meal go to the Red Bar in Santa Rosa Beach.
Enjoy! It’s beautiful up there right now and not crowded.

Small world. Thanks for the suggestions!

Donut Hole for breakfast just outside rosemary on the corner of 98 and 30A.

Have a wonderful vacation! It is so important to unplug as often as we can and plug in to our families. :)

This is one of my favorite places in the entire world! You guys HAVE to eat at the Red Bar in Grayton Beach and The Great Southern cafe in Seaside.

30A beaches are the best. Go eat breakfast at the Hibiscus Cafe, dinner ideas: the Red Bar in Grayton Beach, The Great Southern Cafe in Seaside is also fantastic.

A lot of the beaches down along 30A will do free weekend events so be on the lookout for free concerts or movies etc.

We stayed in Seaside this past August. So beautiful! Try the local beer, 30a Blonde if you are a beer drinker. The Great Southern has an amazing breakfast, eggs Benedict with corned beef…..oh so good! Have fun!

Way to go Dana, time away is so important. For you, your family and your work!

Have a great time!

You and the family enjoy yourselves! :)

Also, I think you’ve inspired me to plan our next, scratch that, FIRST official family getwawy. xx

I think Dixie Delights went there for vacation this summer. Also, I don’t think not having an official family vacation with just your own, immediate family is all that rare. Most everyone I know, including us, go with family or friends if at all. ENJOY!!!

Bud and Alley’s in Seaside is great. Seaside is worth the short drive from Rosemary. Very cute & quaint. La Cocina in Seacrest is great too. You can walk to Seacrest from Rosemary. Charlie’s Donut Truck in Alys Beach is a must. There’s a big open lawn next to it where kids can run around. We rent bikes when we stay in Seacrest, and I can’t recommend that enough. There’s a paved bike bath that runs from Rosemary down 30A. There is so much to do in Rosemary and within walking/biking distance that you wouldn’t have to get in the car your whole stay if you didn’t want! We’ve been to this area twice (with two kids–5 and 2), and we just love it. Email with questions if you want :) Enjoy your trip!

bike path, not bath :)

Wow! You’re heading to my absolute favorite place on earth! We’ve vacationed around there every year (sometimes twice a year) for the last decade or so. BEAUTIFUL BEACHES. Just went in October :) We always stay in Santa Rosa Beach around Seaside or Watercolor. I’ve been to Rosemary once or twice but am not familiar enough to give suggestions. However, definitely spend a day or so and visit Seaside Square. As you’ve heard, #1 on the list is the laid back rooftop bar at Bud n’ Alley’s. Get the Smoked Tuna Dip, a Mojito and enjoy the amazing ocean and rooftop views. They also have a family friendly menu. Afterwards, head across 30A to the Square for dessert and shopping. You can get snow cones at FrostBites food truck or gelato at Heavenly’s on the far side of the square. This is right across from The Great Southern so you can check out the menu and contemplate coming back for breakfast :) One of my faves as well. Shops not to miss: The Art of Simple, Pizitz, (both homewares) Sundog Books, Modica Market, and Duckies (for the little ones). There are tons more but you’ll be able to discover those as you go :) Have a great time! It’s only been 3 weeks and I am more than a little jealous. BTW, I’m a fellow mid-century brick ranch tweaker and you are my go-to source for inspiration! Thanks! :)

We go down to that area several times a year! (My parents own a house near Rosemary.) We love 723 Whiskey Bravo for lunch. Drive around Watercolor if you have a chance! And for a fancy (maybe date night?) dinner, Fish out of Water is excellent!

oh yeah! best sushi: Basmati’s in Blue Mountain Beach

Looking forward to seeing where you guys are staying and what you do there! Rosemary Beach is on my list of places to vacation!

Have a GREAT time guys!!!
Leah: )

Hope you all have a wonderful time :)

No one has mentioned Stinky’s yet?!?! Total travesty.

Bud & Alley’s is good (and a nice location) and Red Bar is standard go-to, but you will talk about the meal you had at Stinky”s Fish Camp for weeks. You can’t go wrong with any dish! (Check the Yelp reviews too). We found it to be pretty kid friendly (but then most places in that area are!)

Have a great time!

Wishing you a great family vacation.

What about Cheetah? Do you have a cat-sitter?

Enjoy your vacation!

We love it down on 30a. With a family, try Cowgirl Kitchen. They have some yummy stuff and is more kid friendly. In seaside, everything is good, and there is a great happy hour at the great southern cafe. The donut hole is great but the donut truck in Alys beach is a must do. Check the calendars for both rosemary beach and seaside online. They both have farmers markets – we got the best honey at the rosemary beach market. It’s just so fun and relaxing. You will love it.

Eating on the rooftop deck at Bud and Alley’s in Seaside is my 2nd favorite place to eat on Hwy 30A. First is the Red Bar in Grayton Beach! It’s only a short drive from Rosemary and definitely worth it! My favorite restaurant in this county!!!

This is going to sound so lame, but in Walton County the town of Defuniak Springs is named for my great-great-great grandfather who built railroads there after the civil war. Never been there before, so would love to hear how beaches nearby are.

Have a fantastic trip!

Oh girl, yall are going to have a blast! We go to Seaside every year and have the best time. We always make sure to head over to Rosemary to eat at La Crema – cutest little tapas place with yummy fondue and chocolate covered bacon for dessert. Gotta love a place with a dessert menu as big as their main menu! Great Southern in Seaside is a fave for brunch. The airstream trailers in Seaside are also great for a quick meal – The Melt Down is my fave (yummy grilled cheese sandwiches!) There is so much to do and explore. Enjoy!!

Thanks! We’re hoping to hit up the farmer’s market early on to get ingredients for green juice and quick meals. Will have to try the honey!

Cheetah is staying with the family who first found her before we adopted her. She will be in great hands! (But we will miss her!)

Love all these suggestions! Thank you.

The house we are renting comes with bikes. I’ve heard the area is really bike-friendly so we’re planning on doing a lot of family biking! On my personal to-do list is perusing Alys Beach and gawking at all the beautiful homes. We’ll definitely have to hit up the donut truck while we’re there! Thank you so much for mentioning it.

This is my favorite vacation spot and we go every year with the kids. I don’t know what adults do there lol! That’s why we’re recruiting my parents this year to go with us. Babysitting! Alys Beach is right down the street from you. It looks quiet, but I hear they have quite the nightlife!

We go to Rosemary every year. It is our absolute favorite. There is never a need to get in your car once you park. We rent bikes with the pull trailer for the kids. They love it! Our favorite restaurants are Cowgirl Kitchen for quick meals and the Tapas restaurant in Rosemary is sublime (I think it’s called La Crema). If you can get there early, George’s in Alys Beach is fantastic. They don’t take reservations and there is always a wait. We often eat breakfast at the Summer Kitchen. You will love Rosemary. Enjoy your trip!

Oh my goodness, spent Mother’s Day weekend in the exact spot you have pictured. The place you have to eat in Rosemary Beach is hands down La Crema. You will completely appreciate their decor AND their food! The best thing to get is their empanadas. There is also a wonderful coffee/ book shop along the beach in Alys beach. Sooo fun! Have a great time!

So excited for you and your family! My husband and I are fortunate to get to vacation at Blue Mountain Beach each summer. I definitely agree with all the other comments and especially suggest that you try out Stinky’s on 30A. We stay with my in-laws so we cook in most of the time, but when we do go out to eat, our choice is always Stinky’s. I hope your vacation is full of beautiful sights, great food, and lots of laughs!

Weve never been on a legit family vacay either! I hope you and your family have an amazing time. Ive loved all the IG moments you’ve shared thus far.