Everything You Need to Know About Grayton Beach
Are you planning a 30A vacation soon? That’s great news! We love welcoming new and returning guests to our 30A vacation rentals; it’s always a blast when you stay at a Royal Destinations home!
When planning your itinerary, however, the most important decision you’ll make is which part of 30A to stay at. There’s really no bad option—each beach community has a special charm to it, and we know you’ll enjoy your stay no matter what. Rosemary Beach (check out our guide here!) is a great option for those wanting to get in some shopping, either at the farmers market or a local boutique, while still enjoying a beach vacation. Other destinations like Seaside and WaterSound have plenty of local events and happenings, too.
Today, however, we’re focusing on another beloved area of 30A: Grayton Beach! Did you know Grayton Beach was the first established beach community on 30A? Formed in the late 1800s, Grayton Beach has a funky, interesting, and free-spirited beach town atmosphere that inspires visitors to return year after year!
Want to learn more about Grayton Beach? You’re in the right place! Let’s dive into the top things to do, restaurants, and local landmarks you'll find when you visit.
Things to Do in Grayton Beach:
Bike Rentals in Grayton Beach
Biking is quite a popular activity here on 30A! Instead of getting around on four wheels, why not try two? You’ll find that 30A is not only bike-friendly, but bike-encouraging. If you don’t have a bike of your own, that’s no issue. Refer to our 30A Bike Rentals guide for everything you need to know about renting a bike here! It’s an easy, convenient, and affordable way to get around 30A on vacation, plus there are some awesome trails near Grayton Beach where you can get your exercise in. Many of them are in Grayton Beach State Park, which we’ll explore in our next section!
Exploring Grayton Beach State Park
Possibly our favorite draw to Grayton Beach is Grayton Beach State Park. There’s so much to do here!
Biking
Grayton Beach State Park is one of the top spots to bike on 30A. The Grayton Beach Hike & Bike trail is over four miles long and offers incredible views! Enjoy your time pedaling out in nature!
Birding
This state park is part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail! See if you can spot a glimpse of a bald eagle, osprey, or other animal!
Swimming
Of course, swimming is a hugely popular activity here. The beach at the state park is beautiful! There’s a full mile of gorgeous sugar white sand to lie out on, and the water is nice and inviting.
Kayaking
Grayton Beach State Park is an excellent place to kayak! If you don’t have gear, check out our rental partner, La Dolce Vita.
Fishing Charters
Ahoy! Feeling ready to cast a line and see what you can reel in? That’s fantastic! Embarking on a Grayton Beach fishing charter is just what you need.
There are several excellent companies to choose from, but to help you start your search, we wrote a blog on the most popular Grayton Beach fishing charters so our guests can have a good reference point. You can’t go wrong with one of these expert expeditions; you never know what you might catch!
Grayton Beach Snorkeling Adventure
If you’d prefer to swim with fish instead of catching them, a Grayton Beach snorkeling adventure is in order. In Grayton Beach, you can explore Turtle Reef, an artificial reef shaped like a turtle (hence its name) created by the South Walton Artificial Reef Association.
Over 80 species have been spotted in Turtle Reef so far! You can explore the reef on your own, or local companies like Dive 30A are here to give you a grand tour.
Restaurants in Grayton Beach
Of course, no vacation planning is complete without an extensive list of local restaurants to try. These are some of our favorites!
Chiringo
Choose from delicious shareable appetizers and always-fresh seafood here! Owners Andy McKoski and Travis Matney drew inspiration from southern Spain for this beachfront eatery in 30A, and the food is incredibly delicious.
Hours: Mondays-Wednesdays 11:30 AM-9 PM, Thursdays 9 AM-10 PM, Fridays-Saturdays 9 AM-11 PM, Sundays 9 AM-9 PM
Location: 63 Hotz Ave, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
Trattoria Borago
If you want top-notch Italian cuisine in Grayton Beach, this is your place. You can't go wrong with options of tomato bisque, pan-seared scallops, three meat bolognese, creamy seafood fricassee, or porcini-rubbed flat iron steak! Our mouths are watering already just thinking about it!
Hours: Open 6 Days a Week, 5-9 PM, Closed Mondays
Location: 80 East County Hwy. 30A Grayton Beach, FL 32459
The Red Bar at Grayton Beach
We’d be remiss not to mention Red Bar in a list of everything you need to know about Grayton Beach. This is a truly iconic spot!
The Red Bar has some of the best live music you’ll hear on 30A, from their house jazz band to other musicians coming through the area. They have live music seven nights a week!
Besides live music, Red Bar also hosts resident DJs. After the bands wrap up, dance the night away with DJ Vladi from 9 to close on Wednesday through Saturday nights! Red Bar is the place to be for a good time. They also have delicious seafood to partake in while you listen to the music!
Hours: Open seven days a week from 11 AM-10 PM
Location: 70 Hotz Ave, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
Book Your Grayton Beach Vacation Rental Directly with Royal Destinations!
6 Bed, 5 Bath Grayton Beach Rental Sugar Magnolia
Now that you know all there is to know about Grayton Beach, it’s time to book your trip! From delicious restaurants to the famed Grayton Beach State Park and maritime adventures like fishing and snorkeling, you’ll have plenty to do while you’re here. We can’t wait to see you!
Our Grayton Beach vacation rentals have everything you could want for a 30A vacation, from homes with private pools to beautiful views of the Gulf. If you want to bring your pup along, we also have pet-friendly vacation rentals to choose from.
Whether you stay on Grayton Beach or want to venture to a different area along 30A, booking your vacation with Royal Destinations is the best choice you can make. Browse our available 30A vacation rentals now and book your trip directly with Royal Destinations!