Winter at the Beach
My favorite time of year at the beach is December and January. There’s something magical about it. It’s quieter, the beach always looks flawless, and somehow the sunsets get better by the day.
One of my favorite weekends during the winter is New Years Eve weekend. All the visitors return, but it is usually a smaller crowd. Rather than spending all day on the beach people who come during the holidays tend to explore more! So I wanted to give y’all a full guide of fun ways to fill your trip if you’re coming down for New Years Weekend!
If you do any of these things on this list and story about them on insta, tag me! I’d love to share people doing my favorite things on 30A. It makes me so happy!
Eat:
Start your morning with coffee from Outpost (tell their staff I said hi, love them there!)
Grab holiday pastries & my favorite cookies around from Blackbear Bread Co (mention me and they will confirm my cookie obsession is out of hand)
Try the mini donuts & grab a delicious brunch at 2 birds cafe in Sandestin (not on 30A, but worth the drive)
Go to Basmatis for sushi and delicious asian inspired food. (The spring rolls are my favorite)
Hit up Louis Louis for dinner and yes it is okay to eat that extra piece of bread.
Get some tacos & my favorite french fries ever from Chiringo while enjoying the views of Grayton Beach.
Grab a quick turkey wrap & chocolate puddle from La Loba Bakery in Blue Mountain.
Indulge in the best grilled cheese at the Melt Down.
Eat the entire belgium waffle at Modica Market & pair it with a giant mimosa.
Enjoy homemade italian food at Amici in 30avenue (I go here weekly)
Get fancy and grab a reservation at Paradis in Rosemary Beach.
Drinks:
Grab a winter cocktail or attend the champagne tasting night on the 27th of December at Neat Bottle Shop.
Sip a Christmas mule at one of my favorite casual spots, Chiringo in Grayton Beach.
Grab a rooftop drink with a sunset view at Pescado in Rosemary Beach.
Happy hour drinks from Fish out of Water in Watercolor (happy hour is 3pm-7pm)
Love wine? Go to The Wine Bar in Watercolor between 11am - 6pm, for a 12oz carafe of wine for the price of a glass & pair it with a cheese board.
Big mojito fan? Great Southern in Seaside has endless flavors to try. Challenge: try them all in one day. (jk please seriously do not do that)
For another sunset spot go to Bud and Alley’s Rooftop Bar.
Get Active:
Go try a yoga class at Otium Studios, my go to workout spot.
Bundle up and rent a Yolo Board to paddle on Western Lake or the Gulf. When the suns out this is so fun!
Take a bike ride down 30A to Blue Mountain & grab a smoothie at For the Health of It (my favorite is the PB Cup!)
Walk through the trails of Watercolor and enjoy the views on western lakes many docks
Try a fun workout class at the Boathouse in Watercolor.
Go to Grayton Beach State Park for an afternoon hike.
Shop:
Ophelia Swimwear -Seacrest Beach or Seaside
Indigo - Watercolor
Outpost - 30avenue
Otium - 30avenue
Willow Boutique -Seaside, Rosemary Beach, or 30Avenue
LA Green - 30avenue
Relax:
Get a facial from Blush Beauty Lounge in 30avenue.
Watch the sunset at the beach (pretty obvious one!)
Grab a new book from Sundog Books in Seaside or the Hidden Lantern in Rosemary Beach.
EVENTS:
Dec 24th Candelight Christmas Eve Service with Chapel at the Beach on the Western Green in Rosemary Beach. (I will be there!)
Dec 27th Holiday Champagne Tasting at Neat
Dec 27th Trivia Night at Shore Things Cigars
Dec 29th Seaside Farmers Market
Dec 30th Rosemary Farmers Market
Dec 30th New Year’s Eve Eve party at Old Florida Fish House
Dec 30th Chris Alvarado live at Fish out of Water (one of my favorite local musicians)
New Years Eve:
Ring in the New Year in the Seaside Amphitheater with tons of music, fireworks, and face paint! (You’re never too old to get your face painted)
90’s karaoke night at Chiringo in Grayton (featuring tons of champagne and cocktails)
Grab New Years Eve Dinner at one of these great spots:
Fish Out of Water
Surfing Deer
Pescado
Salute 2018 at Neat Bottle Shop
If you want more of a party, go to Village of Baytown Wharf in Sandestin. They have tons of bars and fun that entire night.
Fireworks are going to be up and down 30A at all the beaches so pick your favorite boardwalk in a main town area and you will have yourself a great firework show.
I hope this list adds some extra fun to your trip down to 30A, if you have any questions feel free to reach out.
Xo,
ACE