A Floridian's Weekend Travel Guide for Destin, Florida (30A)

It’s a fact: no matter where you are in Florida, you’re no further than ninety miles from the nearest beach.

This proximity usually results in residents traveling to their nearest beach, enabling them to spend as much time in the sun as possible. As Floridians, Michael and I also tend to fall into that trap, primarily only making the drive to two or three beaches from our hometown of Gainesville (see examples here, here, and here).

But for Michael’s most recent birthday, we made the effort to venture further afield to Destin, located along the now-famous Scenic Highway 30-A in the Florida panhandle about halfway between Pensacola and Panama City Beach.

Looking for more of the Sunshine State? Find all of my Florida guides in one place.

Though we were driving west, socially it felt as if we were driving south. Driving through town we saw a host of popular mid-scale chain restaurants and stores alongside a bevy of dives, outlets, and a handful of “fancy” restaurants. This area’s main draw isn’t its restaurants or shops – it’s the stunning Florida beaches.

That’s not to say you won’t find delicious hidden gems, of course – you just have to know where to look. As with all of my travel guides, I aim to share the dives and holes-in-the-wall. These places survive for a reason and offer a true taste of the area, and (in my humble opinion!) are the places most worth visiting.

So, once you’ve arrived in 30A, now what? I’ve got you covered for the perfect Florida beach weekend:

WHAT TO SEE + DO IN DESTIN

Head to the Beach!

Thankfully 30A’s main attraction is free, and boy, is it ever a great value.

You’re going to want to spend most of your free time here, just lounging on the public beaches, people-watching, and hopping in the water every so often to cool down.

Pack a picnic (drinks included! Just be sure nothing is in glass, and that you always have your ID on you – apparently local law enforcement can and will tote you to jail forty miles away), chairs, umbrellas, and a great read.

It’s worth noting that Florida often has afternoon storms that roll in during the day; typically these blow over in a few hours. These aren’t safe to swim in, but they do make for some really nice beach photos.

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Get a little active

There are several SUP rental services in the Destin area, but we had an outstanding experience with SUP Express. They don’t have a brick-and-mortar location but instead will meet you wherever you’d like to paddle for the day and drop your boards off right at the water.

They were incredibly helpful in making suggestions for paddle spots, and our day couldn’t have been more perfect – or stable – on their premium boards.

→SUP Express // Free Delivery

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Visit Crab Island

This is probably as Southern beach town of an experience as it gets – an underwater sandbar hangout with floating bars and restaurants, inflatable challenge courses, and country music blasting (with a floating stage for dancing, naturally).

You’ll need your own aquatic transportation to arrive at Crab Island – we managed the paddle over on our SUP boards just fine, but we learned that the current isn’t always so kind to paddlers – and you’ll want to arrive early in the day to stake out your spot. The sandbar was empty around 9 a.m. but as noon approached, it became increasingly difficult to paddle around the sheer number of boats and people.

Bring lots of cash or a credit card, as drinks at the bars aren’t cheap. Not only do daiquiris run around $15 each, but you have to make your own drinks. Local laws prevent the vendors from mixing the drinks for you, which means you’ll be given two separate cups: one with the alcohol in it, and one with the mixer.

Still, you’ll have the chance to stand far from shore in waist-high water and drink with the locals.

→Crab Island // Crab Island, Destin, FL 32540

WHERE TO EAT + DRINK IN DESTIN

A meal at Craft Bar Destin — The Craft Bar

Entrance to Destin Brewery — Destin Brewery

Chairs on the porch at Pompano Joes — Pompano Joe’s Porch

Good, cold beers

The Craft Bar is a gastropub serving elevated pub grub and an extensive range of local beers on tap. It’s exactly the kind of hearty food you want to dive into at the end of a good beach day, with a nice cold one alongside.

For a more traditional craft brewery experience, head to Destin Brewery. This small-batch brewery has been cranking out specialty beers in its taproom since 2016, and it’s the perfect place to pick up fresh six-packs for the beach.

Prefer to sip seaside? Pompano Joe’s is a great choice for its atmosphere thanks to a large porch overlooking the ocean. Their gumbo is unrivaled, and with a menu of Gulf seafood dishes, you’re truly dining local if you choose to pair your drink with a meal.

→The Craft Bar // 4424 Commons Dr E, Destin, FL 32541
→Destin Brewery // 505 Mountain Dr, Destin, FL 32541
→Pompano Joe's // 2237 Scenic Gulf Dr, Destin, FL 32550

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Meals from Burrito del Sol and Real Thai — Left – Burrito del Sol, Right – Real Thai

Something spicy but not pricey

You can’t go wrong with local favorites Burrito del Sol or Real Thai Fusion. Both offer customizable and delicious meals, giving you the perfect fix when you’re ready to switch things up from the beach town seafood staples. Best of all, both of these spots won’t break the bank. They manage to hit that value sweet spot, delivering far more bang for your buck.

→Burrito del Sol // 517 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541
→Real Thai Fusion // 11275 US-98 W Ste #11, Miramar Beach, FL 32550

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The sign for Donut Hole, and a slice of Key Lime Pie — Donut Hole

Interiors of 2 Birds + Black Bear Bread Co in Destin — Left – 2 Birds Coffee & Cafe, Right – Black Bear Bread Co.

Caffeine and a sweet treat

Judging from the line at Donut Hole Bakery and Cafe the first time we drove by, the spot is very popular. A line doesn’t always mean a place is great – but now that I’ve had the chance to visit, I can say those people waiting in line had the right idea. Let’s just say we were far from disappointed when we returned later in the day for donuts and a slice of key lime pie.

If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you may have noticed that I’m not too big on breakfast (brunch, however, is another story). But since I can’t always make it to lunch without eating, I tend to turn to bakeries and cafes for a little something alongside a cup of coffee. In Miramar Beach, two places fit the bill perfectly: 2 Birds Coffee & Cafe and Black Bear Bread Co. I’m almost grateful neither is located in our hometown as we’d be stopping in too frequently.

→Donut Hole Bakery and Cafe // 635 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541
→2 Birds Coffee & Cafe // 80 Seascape Dr, Miramar Beach, FL 32550
→Black Bear Bread Co. // 325 Grand Blvd Suite 100, Miramar Beach, FL 32550

WHERE TO STAY IN 30A

A Miramar Beach Cottage — Miramar Beach Cottage

As I mentioned earlier, Michael and I stayed in an Airbnb in nearby Miramar Beach to save a little money while visiting this notoriously expensive destination.

I would highly recommend one of the cottages located in this park of tiny houses (which really aren’t too tiny). The “Life is Good” cottage was equipped with everything we needed for our beach weekend, such as chairs, a cooler, and a wagon – that is, everything except beach towels, which we brought from home.

The location was a bit further back from the beach, which I think helped with the price for our stay. Even with a bit longer trek to the beach, it was the perfect place to call home for an unforgettable weekend in 30A.

[Edit: unfortunately these rentals are no longer available]

TRAVEL TIPS FOR DESTIN, FLORIDA

Direct flights to Pensacola International Airport are available from many cities in the Southeast and Midwest; from there, it’s about an hour and a half drive to the Destin area.

Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport is served by Allegiant, American, Avelo, Delta, Southwest, and Sun Country Airlines, and is located about thirty minutes from Destin. A car is an asset, not a burden here, though, once you arrive there are plenty of places that will rent you street-legal golf carts to ride around town in if that’s your thing.

The beach is lovely just about anywhere you go, so wherever you choose to stay, just make sure it’s within a short walk of the water. Note: since this post was first published, laws protecting private beach owners were put into effect, increasing tensions up and down the coast. To avoid any hassle, head to the public beach.

If you’re choosing when to visit, Spring Break and Summer are peak seasons in 30A, so expect lodging to be pricier during those times. If you’re choosing to visit off-peak, take comfort in knowing that the water is warm enough to swim in for nearly six months of the year (or longer if you don’t mind a chillier temp!), so you can stay comfortable and on budget.

→Wondering what to pack while you're visiting 30A? Find my real-life packing list right here!

FINAL THOUGHTS ON VISITING 30A

Destin and 30A as a whole have earned their place on the must-visit list for travelers, thanks to their pristine beaches, emerald waters, and charming coastal communities. While the area has gained immense popularity, leading to bustling crowds and rapid development, the allure of its natural beauty and vibrant local culture remains undeniable.

But despite the influx of tourists, there are still glimpses of the area’s soul to discover: quaint eateries, secluded beach spots, and natural areas left untouched. Find a peaceful respite from the crowds, and enjoy your time at some of Florida’s most beautiful beaches.

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Questions for you

Have you ever been to Destin or any other beach towns along 30A?

Which Florida beach is your favorite?

Looking for more? You may enjoy these other travel guides:

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A Floridian’s Weekend Travel Guide for Destin, Florida (30A)