Santa Rosa Beach is the name you will see on more 30A addresses than any other. It covers a big piece of South Walton, from the Gulf beaches of Dune Allen and Grayton to the bayou country along Choctawhatchee Bay and the stretch of U.S. 98 and Highway 331 inland. That spread is what makes the list of things to do in Santa Rosa Beach so long: state parks, forest trails, horseback rides, bay fishing, breweries and some of the best casual restaurants on the coast.
Visit South Walton sums it up as local, natural and casual, which is why we call it 30A’s hometown. This guide focuses on the Santa Rosa Beach that sits between the beach towns, with links to our town guides for the rest. Start with our 30A towns guide for the big picture, or browse all 55 listings on the Santa Rosa Beach area page.
Quick answer
- Best outdoors: Hike or bike the Eastern Lake Trail in Point Washington State Forest.
- Best local dinner: Oysters and live music at Shunk Gulley Oyster Bar.
- Best family outing: A trail ride at Western Pleasure Riding Stables & Carriages.
- Best afternoon drink: A flight at Lawless Coast Brewing or a tasting at 30A Distilling Co.
- Best day on the water: Redfish and trout on the bay with Choctawhatchee Bay Fishing Charters.
What Is Santa Rosa Beach, Florida?
Santa Rosa Beach is an unincorporated community in Walton County, and its 32459 ZIP code is the mailing address for much of west and central 30A. That is why restaurants in Grayton Beach, Seaside and Dune Allen often list “Santa Rosa Beach, FL” on their menus. When people say “Santa Rosa Beach Florida 30A,” they usually mean that whole western half of the road plus the quieter neighborhoods north of it.
The town has older roots than the beach towns. Before it was called Santa Rosa Beach, the community was known as Hogtown, a busy landing on Hogtown Bayou. In the early 1900s, steamboats carried people and goods in and out across the bay. Point Washington Methodist Church, established between 1888 and 1893, is one of the oldest surviving churches in Walton County, and the 1897 Wesley House at Eden Gardens State Park was home to lumber baron William Henry Wesley.
Get Outside: Parks, Forests and Trails
Santa Rosa Beach has more protected land than most visitors expect. It is the reason the towns along 30A still feel spread out.
Point Washington State Forest
Point Washington State Forest covers more than 15,000 acres of longleaf pine, wet prairie and cypress swamp behind the beach towns. The state bought the land in 1992, and the Florida Forest Service manages it. It protects the world’s largest known population of Curtiss’ sand grass, a state-threatened plant.
- Eastern Lake Trail: Stacked loops of about 3.5, 6 and 11 miles for hiking and biking. The trailhead on County Road 395 has parking, a restroom and picnic tables.
- Longleaf Greenway Trail: About 8 miles through old longleaf pines, starting in Blue Mountain Beach.
- Horse trails: The McQuage Bayou trail has 3- and 5-mile loops. Riders need proof of a negative Coggins test.
Trails are open sunrise to sunset, with a small day-use fee at self-pay stations (as of November 2026).
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park protects about 1,600 acres at the west end of 30A, with roughly 3.2 miles of undeveloped beach, tall white dunes and coastal dune lakes. It is one of the wildest stretches of sand on the Emerald Coast. See the Before you go note below for its current status.
Eden Gardens State Park
Eden Gardens State Park sits on the bay side in Point Washington. The draw is the 1897 Wesley House, one of South Walton’s best-preserved historic homes, and the park connects to the Longleaf Greenway Western Trail. It makes a calm change of pace from the beach. Our state parks guide covers it alongside the other parks on the coast.
Coastal dune lakes
South Walton is one of the few places in the world with coastal dune lakes, a rare kind of lake that sits just behind the beach and can drain into the Gulf. Draper Lake in Santa Rosa Beach is one of them. Look, but stay off fragile dunes when you visit.
On the Water
Santa Rosa Beach faces two very different bodies of water. The Gulf side is for swimming and paddling on calm days. The bay side, along Choctawhatchee Bay and Hogtown Bayou, is for fishing and quiet sunsets.
- Choctawhatchee Bay Fishing Charters runs guided bay trips with Captain Brad Bishop, targeting redfish, speckled trout, flounder, cobia and Spanish mackerel. Trips range from a two-hour kids’ outing to full days, and standard trips include tackle, bait and license coverage.
- Stay Afloat Paddle Board Co. delivers paddleboards to rental homes and condos along 30A and picks them up when you are done.
On Land: Horses, Books and Bike Rides
Western Pleasure Riding Stables & Carriages on U.S. 98 has been running since 1997. It offers guided trail rides, carriage rides, lessons and pony parties. Book by phone, and bring cash.
For a slow hour, Kitchen Garden Books & Antiques on Highway 331 mixes used books and antiques in one space. It keeps part-time hours (Tuesday through Saturday), so call ahead.
The paved multi-use path along 30A connects the beach neighborhoods by bike. Our things to do on 30A list has tips for riding it.
Santa Rosa Beach Restaurants
Santa Rosa Beach restaurants lean casual and local. Many sit along County Highway 393, which links 30A to U.S. 98, or in small town centers like Gulf Place.
| Restaurant | What it is | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Shunk Gulley Oyster Bar | Raw bar, Gulf seafood, live music | County Highway 393 |
| The Perfect Pig | Barbecue and Southern, three meals a day | Gulf Place |
| Local Catch Bar & Grill | Coastal food with a Southern twist | West 30A |
| 3 Sons Bar-B-Q | Family-owned barbecue since 2013 | Dune Allen |
| Scratch Biscuit Kitchen | Buttermilk biscuits and Southern breakfast | WaterColor Town Center |
| Stella’s Bakery | Argentinian bakery: croissants, empanadas | County Highway 393 |
Our picks
Start the day at Stella’s Bakery for empanadas and croissants (it opens at 6 a.m. on weekdays and is closed Sundays), or at Scratch Biscuit Kitchen for biscuits, shrimp and grits and griddle cakes.
For lunch after the beach, Local Catch Bar & Grill keeps it relaxed with a full bar and no dress code. 3 Sons Bar-B-Q serves ribs, pulled pork and brisket in the former Elmo’s Grill building in Dune Allen, and it was voted Best Barbecue in Emerald Coast Magazine’s 2024 reader awards.
At dinner, Shunk Gulley is the group pick: oysters, cold drinks and live music in an open room. The Perfect Pig at Gulf Place, where 30A meets Highway 393, does house-smoked barbecue, shrimp and grits and a seafood boil. Finish with a praline or a scoop of small-batch ice cream at Pecan Jack’s Ice Creamery & Candy Kitchen.
Want the full list? See the best restaurants on 30A.
Breweries and Distilleries
Lawless Coast Brewing on County Highway 393 pours ten house beers, from light lagers to double IPAs, plus guest taps. It hosts Music Bingo on Wednesdays, trivia on Thursdays and live music on Fridays, and it is closed Tuesdays. The name nods to Walton County settlers who pushed back against Spanish colonial rule.
Up the same road, 30A Distilling Co. makes small-batch rum, whiskey, vodka and a barrel-aged gin infused with local rosemary. Walk-in tastings run Wednesday through Sunday (as of November 2026).
Santa Rosa Beach Beaches
The Santa Rosa Beach stretch of 30A includes some of the easiest public beach access in South Walton. Ed Walline Regional Beach Access at 4447 W. Scenic Highway 30A has 39 parking spaces, restrooms and seasonal lifeguards, and it fills quickly in summer. Gulfview Heights Regional Beach Access is another good sunset spot. For more accesses and parking details, read our 30A beaches guide. Check the flags before you swim with our beach flag guide.
Before You Go
- Storm recovery: Hurricane Isaias hit the area in October 2026. Power is largely restored and 30A roads are open, and many restaurants, including Shunk Gulley and The Perfect Pig, reopened within days. Storm surge eroded dunes along the county’s coast, and some beach accesses may still be closed for repairs. Check posted signs.
- Topsail Hill Preserve State Park: The park, including overnight stays, was closed after the storm as of late October 2026, and we could not confirm a reopening date. Its main beach boardwalk was also closed for construction starting in September 2026. Check the Florida State Parks website before you go.
- Point Washington State Forest and Eden Gardens: We could not confirm post-storm trail conditions. Expect possible downed trees, and check with the Florida Forest Service and Florida State Parks before you go.
- Getting around: Santa Rosa Beach is spread out. You will want a car or bike, and you should plan on 30A traffic at peak beach hours in summer.
- Visitor center: The Visit South Walton visitor center is at 25777 U.S. Highway 331 South in Santa Rosa Beach.
Santa Rosa Beach FAQ
Is Santa Rosa Beach on 30A? Yes. Santa Rosa Beach’s ZIP code covers much of west and central 30A, including Dune Allen, Grayton Beach and Seaside, plus neighborhoods north of the road toward Choctawhatchee Bay.
What is there to do in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida? Hike or bike Point Washington State Forest, visit Topsail Hill Preserve and Eden Gardens state parks (check status first), fish the bay, ride horses, visit a brewery or distillery and spend time at the 30A beaches.
What are the best Santa Rosa Beach restaurants? Locals favor Shunk Gulley Oyster Bar, The Perfect Pig, Local Catch Bar & Grill, 3 Sons Bar-B-Q, Scratch Biscuit Kitchen and Stella’s Bakery.
Where is the public beach in Santa Rosa Beach? Ed Walline Regional Beach Access at 4447 W. Scenic Highway 30A is a popular choice, with free parking, restrooms and seasonal lifeguards. Our 30A beaches guide lists the others.
Is Santa Rosa Beach a good place to stay? It is a good base if you want quieter rentals, easy access to both the Gulf and the bay and a short drive to Seaside, Grayton Beach and Destin.