Grayton Beach Guide: Meet One of 30As Top Beach Towns

The South Walton-30A area is a strip of highway that runs through 16 unique beach communities, all different in style and culture. Located on 30A, between Destin and Panama City Beach in Florida, travelers find Grayton Beach nestled in a more forested area. Before heading down to 30A, read this quick Grayton Beach guide and find things to do.

Grayton Beach Guide for First-timers and 30A Fans

Populated with small cottages and a mix of shops and galleries, Grayton Beach is also home to welcoming and fun-loving locals. So much so, the town’s unofficial slogan is “Nice dogs, strange people.” And these people help make Grayton Beach one of the funkiest beach towns in the Florida panhandle.

Grayton Beach Guide: What to Do

Most of the town resides inside Grayton Beach State Park, providing guests a blend of forest area and white-sand beaches. First, obtain a permit and take a four-wheel drive on the beach. Grayton Beach is the only beach in 30A that allows four-wheelers. Or rent a bike and ride through the entire area. For more bike riding options, check out the best South Walton bike trails.

Grayton Beach has also consistently ranked as one of the most acclaimed beaches in the South Walton-30A area for its water recreation and stunning views. Visitors fish, sail, kayak, swim, dolphin-watch, book a fishing charter and more.

Sundays are a popular day to visit Grayton Beach, with a weekly tradition named Sunday Funday, when people gather to just have fun. Even in cooler months, Sunday Funday welcomes locals and visitors to build beach bonfires and relax.

Spend the Day at Grayton Beach State Park

One of the top attractions in Grayton Beach is the state park that surrounds the neighborhood. Measuring nearly 2,000 acres, Grayton Beach State Park showcases natural beauty and abundant recreation options.

A boat ramp allows guests access to both fresh and saltwater fishing, as well as kayaking, canoeing and paddle-boarding. While exploring, make sure to admire the saltwater ecosystem. For added adventure, pitch a tent to say overnight in the fully equipped campsite. Those on foot or two wheels can ride bikes on the 4-mile trail that winds through flatwoods.

Browse Grayton Beach Shops

Locally owned shops and galleries helped Grayton Beach develop into the laid-back community for which it’s known. A few must-shops include The Workshop by Ginger Leigh Designs, The Studio Gallery, and Wunderland Candy and Craft Factory.

The Shops at Grayton Beach feature a colorful selection of boutiques, such as Allison Craft Designs and Ophelia Swimwear. Grayton Corners also houses other retailers including the popular Grayton’s General Store, where visitors purchase 30A stickers. Uptown Grayton offers even more shops and restaurants, such as Uptown Girls, He Said She Said and Islanders Coastal Outfitter.

Get Your Fill

When it’s time to recharge or just hang out, enjoy a mix of restaurants. Nearly a dozen locally owned options invite diners to sample fresh flavors infused with international flair.

From Asian to steaks and seafood, guests are bound to get their fix in Grayton Beach. For coffee and breakfast, head to Another Broken Egg, Bad Ass Coffee and Cafe Hibiscus. A few top lunch and dinner options include Cafe Thirty-A, Chanticleer Bakery and Eatery, Fish Out of the Water, Goatfeather’s, Pandora’s, and Chiringo.

Red Bar – an iconic gathering spot in 30A – draws locals and visitors. Noted as a hot spot, the bar showcases a Bohemian beach vibe, complete with live jazz music and Southern fare. Red Bar also houses a souvenir shop full of shirts, hats and trinkets, all showcasing the best of this quirky neighborhood.

After reading this Grayton Beach guide, find more things to do in 30A. Then book a Grayton Beach-30A vacation rental.

Main photo: Pixabay, jrslocum0