Family-Friendly 30A Itinerary: Day 1 on 30A with Kids
Loving This Adventure contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through my links—at no extra cost to you. Loving This Adventure is also a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase using one of these Amazon links, I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. See my Disclosure Policy and for more information.
Planning a family vacation to 30A? Whether it’s your first time or you’re familiar with this beautiful stretch of Florida, this family-friendly itinerary for Day 1 will guide you through the best spots to explore.
From strolling the charming streets of Seaside to finding the best places to grab coffee and park, I’m sharing all the details to help your family enjoy a fun, relaxed first day on 30A.
👋 Hi, I’m Katie, and I help busy moms plan memorable vacations with practical tips and real-life travel inspiration.
This family-friendly 30A itinerary is a peek into our own experience during spring break—and let me tell you, this stretch of Florida is just as dreamy as it looks online.
➡️ If it’s your first time on 30A, be sure to check out my First-Timer’s Guide for Families for helpful tips and insights to make your stay even smoother.
Not sure where to start on 30A? This post covers everything from must-see spots to helpful tips on parking in Seaside, so you can make the most of your family’s first day here.
This blog post contains affiliate links to trusted partners.
☀️ Start Your Day by Taking a Walk Along the Timpoochee Trail for Coffee
We stayed in Santa Rosa Beach at a cute little cottage called Dune Nothin, part of the Beach Haven neighborhood at Dune Allen Beach.
It’s tucked just half a block off scenic 30A, giving us easy access without being right on the busy road.
On our first morning, we walked 0.8 miles along the Timpoochee Trail to grab coffee at Shelby’s Beach Bar—a laid-back spot with donuts, breakfast tacos, sandwiches, granola, and of course, coffee.
✅ Mom Tip: If your kids need to move their legs in the morning (or you need caffeine), this walk is an easy, stroller-friendly way to start the day.
A quick note about Shelby’s Beach Bar
During breakfast hours, it’s just counter service, and their coffee and breakfast options aren’t listed on the website. Don’t let that throw you off—they’ve got donuts, breakfast sandwiches, granola, and tacos, plus a full coffee bar. You can take everything to go or sit outside at the tables along the sidewalk and enjoy the beachy morning vibe.
🏖 Enjoy the Gorgeous Beaches of Santa Rosa Beach and Dune Allen
After breakfast, we headed to the beach near Dune Allen—and I was blown away.
Seriously, I’ve never seen sand this soft or white. The water is crystal-clear and turquoise, and even my kids stopped to take it all in for a second.
That said, one thing to be aware of on 30A is the mix of private and public beach access.
Some areas are reserved for specific communities or rentals. We made sure to find public access points, and once you know where they are, it’s easy to plan around it.
✅ Mom Tip: Look for “Regional of Public Beach Access” signs or ask your host/property owner ahead of time where the nearest public entrance is. It’ll save you time (and stress) when everyone’s carrying chairs and toys.
🥪 Grab a Quick and Easy Lunch Back at Your Cottage
After a perfect morning at the beach, we drove over to Publix to grab groceries to make sandwiches, fruit, chips, and snacks. This is one of my favorite road trip hacks: grab groceries and make lunch at “home” instead of going out every meal.
We continued this trend throughout our trip — head to the beach in the morning and return to our rental in time to have lunch.
✅ Budget Tip: Stock up early in your trip to avoid multiple runs to the store. Beach snacks disappear fast with four kids!
🏊♂️ Relax at the Neighborhood Pool for a Family-Friendly Afternoon
We spent the early afternoon soaking up the sun at the neighborhood pool, which was a nice change of pace from the sand.
Our kids loved being able to swim freely while we relaxed nearby with snacks and cold drinks.
🌅 Explore Seaside: A Must-Visit Town on 30A for Families
Later that afternoon, we hopped in the car and made the 15-minute drive to Seaside, one of the most charming towns on 30A. Parking can be tricky at times, but here’s what worked for us:
- We parked in the free lot off Western Lake Drive (left side of 30A), which had plenty of spaces around 5:00 PM
- There are clean public restrooms at the lot—always a win
- It’s an easy 10-minute walk to Central Square on the Timpoochee Trail
✅ Pro Tip: Want to learn more about Seaside and other 30A towns for families? Check out my Best 30A Towns for Families post for even more ideas.
✅ Mom Tip: If you want to explore WaterColor, take the right out of the parking lot—it’s a quick 6-7 minute walk that way instead.
🌿 Exploring Seaside’s Iconic Town Square
Seaside really took me by surprise. The greenspace, the Airstream food trucks, and that picture-perfect white post office—it all feels straight out of a movie.
My kids loved running around the greenspace while we soaked in the charm of Seaside Town Square surrounding us!
🍔 Family Dinner in Seaside: Where to Eat with Kids
We grabbed dinner at Pickles, a super casual spot right across from Airstream Row.
I definitely recommend ordering ahead online—the wait for food was about 30 minutes, but we made the best of it at a nearby picnic table.
- I ordered the burger salad with ranch—so good!
- They have kids’ meals, and it’s all pickup-style with outdoor seating.
We ended the night with ice cream at Pecan Jack’s back near our cottage. The mud pie flavor was a hit with my oldest! 🍦
💬 Final Thoughts on Day One on 30A with Kids
Our first day on 30A with kids was the perfect mix of adventure and ease—coffee, beach time, a pool break, and a fun evening in Seaside. This area is so walkable and beautiful, even little activities feel like a mini vacation moment.
Stay tuned for Day 2 of our trip where we explore Baytowne Wharf and dive into more fun family experiences!
📥 Want Help Planning Your Trip to 30A?
Grab my free Family Travel Itinerary Planner to help organize your trip days, meals, activities, and more—so you can stress less and enjoy more sunshine with your crew!
May you love your adventure! KW
