30A: Rosemary Beach to Santa Rosa

The Emerald Coast of Florida may very well be the most beautiful part of the state we have ever visited. It’s an area frequented by many of our hometown friends and celebrities alike. All for good reason of course: crystal clear blue water, white sugar sand, amazing restaurants and several festivals and events throughout the year.

We met some of our very best Baton Rouge friends in Rosemary Beach in May for the annual Digital Graffiti event held each year in Alys Beach. We made the five-hour trek from Jacksonville after work on Thursday to surprise our friends at The Pointe by Wyndham which is a beautiful property on the edge of Rosemary Beach. We enjoyed the ambiance of our condo patio and took a quick tour of the property’s rooftop deck.

The next morning, we took a driving tour of the area passing through Alys Beach and Seascape before stopping for breakfast at Great Southern Café in Seaside. After breakfast, we walked around the downtown area which served as the backdrop for the movie the Truman Show. The town is littered with local shops and restaurants with an upscale beach feel. Next, we hopped back in the car and continued our journey around the area passing through Seacrest, Seagrove, Grayton, and Blue Mountain Beach before ultimately reaching and Santa Rosa. Each town had their own vibe slightly different than the next.

After spending the afternoon exploring, we headed back to The Pointe for some fun in the sun at the pool. After soaking up some rays, we headed to Pescado for dinner and drinks.

After dinner, we headed to Ayls Beach to experience Digital Graffiti for the first time. I must say, Digital Graffiti was awesome! Artists from around the world submit their digital works to be on display throughout the all-white neighborhood. The art was literally displayed on the side of each home. There were some interactive pieces too allowing event goers the opportunity to get more involved in the work.

The next morning, we had breakfast at Big Bad Breakfast which is located just off the pool at The Pointe. The food was outstanding. I would highly recommend the avocado toast. It was the best rendition I had ever had. Next up, we made our way to the beach, in Rosemary Beach to be exact. The water was stunning. Clear blue and calm. So calm and clear in fact that David found a pair of designer sunglasses at the bottom the ocean. Score!

We had a super fresh seafood lunch at Crabby Steve’s. It’s located directly on the ocean which of course provided the most spectacular views.

We had dinner that evening at Restaurant Paradis and grabbed a few drinks at Neat before heading to night number two at Digital Graffiti. Every single thing we ordered at Paradis was amazing!

The next morning, we did some sightseeing on foot food before heading to Cowgirl Kitchen for breakfast. Our last stop was the Rosemary Beach Farmer’s Market which had the best pickles ever! Overall, for a small market, there was a lot of variety, everything from skincare products to prepared meals.