“A simple, beautiful life.” That’s the motto of Seaside, Florida, an idyllic 80-acre community located around 30 miles from the hustle and bustle of Panama City Beach.  Whether you are searching for a fun-filled family vacation, a romantic weekend getaway, or a relaxing break from reality, you can find it in the tiny town of Seaside. Ready to begin your adventure? Here’s our Essential Guide to a Seaside, Florida Vacation.

Essential Guide to Seaside, Florida

Time moves at a slower pace in Seaside. Named by Travel & Leisure magazine as the “best beach on earth for families,” you won’t find high-rises or condos here, just beautifully designed cottages meant to inspire memories of a simpler life, white, sandy beaches, and a cozy downtown area (only 2.2 acres!) brimming with over 40 shops and restaurants.

What to do in Seaside, Florida

1. Spend the day at the beach. Seaside is known for its powdery white sand and crystal clear waters. Our visit, in early November, meant no crowds on the beach, but warm enough weather to play in the sand or in the water. Rent an umbrella and chairs from Cabana Man to maximize your comfort. They’re set up at 9 AM sharp and removed at 5 PM in the spring, fall, and winter, and 6 PM in the summer.

Private beach access was included with our stay. It was a short walk down to the end of our block, then across the road to our access point. A code was required for entry to both the beach and the private bathrooms, along with wristbands to be worn on the beach area.

2. Walk or bike everywhere. Seaside is founded upon the principle of “new urbanism,” including front porches to encourage socializing, wide pedestrian and bike trails throughout the city, and classic cottage designs. Sand-filled alleys lead between houses and offer shortcuts to the town center, the 3-green spaces, and the beach. None of these attractions are over a five-minute walk from any cottage.

Our vacation package included two complimentary bike rentals with discounts for all other guests. While the bicycles are not delivered, it’s an easy walk to Seaside Transit Authority to pick up the bicycles. You’ll find bike racks located in front of every cottage and in all public areas.

3. Dine at the delicious restaurants and food trucks. Although our cottage included a kitchen, we couldn’t resist stopping by one of the “food trucks” set up in the town square. While they’re not food trucks in the traditional sense-all of these are permanently located in airstream trailers on Airstream Row in the town square- they offer a wealth of choices for all tastes.

The night we arrived we walked to the square and stopped at Mr. Gyro Hero. I had the Gyro Platter, a heaping serving of gyro meat served over rice, with pita bread, tzatziki sauce, and a choice of two sides. I recommend trying the avocado hummus. Vegetarian menus are available. A few of the other options include Crepes du Soleil, Barefoot Barbecue, Frostbites, The Meltdown on 30A, and the Taco Bar.

4. Shop at one of the unique boutiques and stores or explore downtown. The vibrant downtown community offers an array of shops ranging from boutiques to the family-owned Modesto Market. Be sure to visit the Post Office, the most photographed in the country, and the Chapel, a highly sought-out venue for weddings. The Chapel’s bell tower, at 68-feet, is the highest spot in Seaside.

5. Take a trip to a nearby state park. Although you could easily spend a week (or more!) without leaving Seaside if you want to explore the state’s natural beauty, visit one of the nearby state and national parks.

• Eden Gardens State Park, a 163-acre state park that was once part of the historic Wesley homestead, is located 4.7 miles away in Santa Rosa beach.
• Grayton Beach State Park, consistently ranked as one of the most pristine and beautiful beaches in the US, is located 1.5 miles away in Santa Rosa.
• Deer Lake State Park is a sister park to Grayton Beach and is known for its rare dune lakes. It’s located 5.3 miles away.
• Conservation Park has over 2300 acres, 24 miles of hiking and biking trails, and is a wonderful area for wildlife viewing. It is 23.6 miles away.
• St. Andrew’s State Park has 1200 acres and has 5 distinct ecological landscapes. It is around 35 miles away.

Where to stay in Seaside, Florida

We stayed in “Little Feet,” the guest cottage located behind “Pitter Patter.” It was our first experience with tiny house living, as this cottage measures 504 square feet. Built in a contemporary pattern, it is one block from the town center and 7 houses from the beach. Downstairs is a light-filled living/dining area and a kitchen. A spiral staircase leads to an upstairs bedroom and bathroom.

For its small size, the bedroom has plenty of storage space, with built-in cabinets flanking either side of the bed and drawers on the bottom of the bed. The accompanying bathroom has a glass-enclosed shower with a rainforest showerhead. A deck on the upper level leads to a cozy porch with a table and two chairs, a lovely spot to relax with a bottle of wine and enjoy the sunset..

Beside the front door is a small sitting area with a table and chairs. We enjoyed al fresco breakfasts here, surrounded by the chirping of birds and chattering of squirrels. A side yard provides a grill and additional chairs for outdoor meals. The house is designed for 4 guests, but I recommend either making it a romantic getaway for two or using it as a family cottage for two adults and two children

Some of the amenities of Little Feet include:

• 2-Burner Induction Wolff Stove Top
•  Flat-screen TV in the living area and bedroom, along with a Sonos system
• Microwave/Convection Oven
•  Washer/Dryer Combo
•  Peacock Alley Linens – Fresh and luxurious Peacock Alley towels and sheets throughout the home
•  Queen Sleeper Sofa
•  Access to the town amenities, 3 swimming pools, 6 tennis courts (court fees apply), and a fitness center
•   Two complimentary rental bikes included with you stay
•   Starter amenities (soap, shampoo, body wash, toilet paper, towels are included in the bathroom, along with dishwasher tablets, dish detergent, laundry detergent, and linens are included in the kitchen.
• Free wi-fi
• The kitchen is stocked with all the basics needed for cooking and serving dinner, along with a blender, toaster, and coffee maker

Why The Homeowner’s Collection?

Our cottage was made available to us by the Homeowner’s Collection, the only premiere onsite vacation rental company founded by the homeowners in Seaside, Florida.’ They provide special touches, like a personalized greeting by an assigned cottage host and 24-hour access to a Homeowner’s Collection representative. When we arrived a cottage host came to our door and explained the amenities, answered all the questions we had, even our questions about shopping and dining, and gave us a number to call if we had any problems or questions.

I had to call after hours during our stay when the stovetop gave us an error reading. Our representative was pleasant and professional, promising to have an electrician check it out the next day. The Homeowner’s Collection has over 115 cottages available, ranging from 1 to 6 bedrooms. If you book directly through them, you save up to 12% in additional fees charged by AirBNB, VRBO, and Homeway.

Things to Know Before You Go

• You must have a parking permit (included with rental) and park in a designated spot for your rental. Public parking is available in the town center. Once parked, you can walk all over town.
• Seaside is located on scenic highway 30A.

Have you visited Seaside, Florida? If not, let the lure of white-sand beaches, sparkling waters, and a break from the stresses of normal life bring you to an unforgettable vacation.