The water gets cooler. The days get quieter. There’s still plenty worth getting outside for.
Winter on 30A has its own pace. The beach leaves a little more room to wander, and a cool afternoon is a good excuse to see what’s beyond the next boardwalk.
Originally created for visitors coming to the 30A Songwriters Festival, this magazine guide works just as well for a winter weekend with nothing on the calendar. Here are ten ways to spend it on and around 30A.
1. Take a drive through the pines
Point Washington State Forest offers a very different view of South Walton. Swap the beachfront for sandy pine woods and take your time. If you’re driving, use only open forest roads suitable for your vehicle, not hiking trails or closed routes. Check the forest’s current maps and access information, respect closures, and avoid flooded or muddy stretches.
2. Find a trail
Cooler weather makes a long walk feel like a good idea. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park has trails through pine forest and around coastal dune lakes. Grayton Beach State Park and Point Washington offer more ways to explore. Pick a route that suits your group, check for closures, and stay on designated trails.
3. Stay for the sunset
You don’t have to swim to have a beach day. Bring a layer and stay as the sky changes. For a bonfire, book an authorized local provider or arrange the required permit through the South Walton Fire District. Confirm current rules and approved locations before making plans.
4. Fish the bay
The Gulf gets plenty of attention, but Choctawhatchee Bay deserves some, too. The magazine’s winter picks include inshore fishing for species such as redfish and speckled trout. A local guide can help you plan around the season and conditions. Check FWC’s current fishing rules and licensing requirements before casting.
5. Have a rainy-day backup
When the weather sends everyone indoors, the surrounding area has arcades, escape rooms, and indoor mini-golf. Over in Panama City Beach, WonderWorks is another option for curious kids. These stops may mean a drive beyond 30A, so check locations, hours, and age requirements first.
6. Play a round
Golf makes a good excuse to spend a winter afternoon outside. Nearby Sandestin has public tee-time options at Baytowne, Raven, and The Links. Check availability and course maintenance schedules before booking. Leave enough daylight to finish without racing the sunset.
7. Make it a friendly match
Pickleball and tennis give the whole group something to get into. Look into the public courts at the South Walton Sports Complex or ask a local tennis center about visitor bookings. Check current access, reservations, and fees. Keeping score is up to you.
8. Spend some time with the art
At Justin Gaffrey’s gallery in Blue Mountain Beach, paint takes on a sculptural life of its own. The magazine also points readers toward the area’s galleries and hands-on art workshops. Pick a place that interests you and check its current visiting hours.
9. Walk through a little history
The Wesley House at Eden Gardens State Park tells a different story of the coast, rooted in the area’s lumbering past. Wander beneath the live oaks and through the gardens, then check the current house-tour schedule if you’d like to go inside. It’s an easy place to take your time.
10. Browse without a deadline
Leave room for a walk through the shops in Rosemary Beach, Alys Beach, or Seaside. Stop for a coffee. Look in a window you normally pass. You don’t need a shopping list to enjoy an afternoon in town.
Coming for the music? Meet some of the people behind it in Soundtrack of 30A.
Adapted from Lauren Sage Reinlie’s winter activity guide in Beach Happy Magazine, Issue No. 23 (Winter 2026). Check current weather, access, hours, and booking requirements before visiting. Cover photo: Dawn Whitty. Additional photography: LA FREE FILM, Sean Murphy, and the magazine’s Eden Gardens archive. Read the full issue.
