My Favorite Shopping on 30a: The Best Places to Drop Some $$$
If there’s one activity that pairs well with a beach trip, it’s got to be shopping right? Cute beach boutiques, a place to get out of the sun, and the perfect way to remember your trip long after it’s over. Well, 30a on Florida’s panhandle has some of the best shopping I’ve found in any beach destination in Florida (and I’ve been to a lot). This stretch of scenic highway between Destin and Panama City Beach is chock full of small beach towns each with their own personality. And they’re all pretty flush with shopping options.
My Favorite Shopping on 30a
I’d say no matter what you’re looking for, you’ll find it somewhere, but so you know the places not to miss (and there are a lot), I’m going to round up my favorite shopping on 30a:
Seaside Shopping
The Mercantile: Mmmkay, I ended up spending way too much money here on my last trip. It’s sister store in Rosemary Beach is my absolute favorite store of all time, but the Mercantile is actually more my life(style). Look at that cute bag! And hat!
Sundog Books: I could spend all day here. If there was a competition for best beach bookstore, this place would win it. Sandy, plywood floors…shelves and tables overflowing with books (seriously, all the shelves are double stacked)…and staff whose biggest priority always seems to be helping everyone who comes in the door find their perfect book. It’s the way it should be.
The Art of Simple: This feels like a vintage shop, but it’s not. Mostly things for the home, but some jewelry and accessories too. For me, this is the kind of place that’s full of things I never knew I needed until I saw them.
The Seaside Style: If you’re wondering where everybody is getting those “Seaside” tees, this is the place. The main store is on the square and has the original Seaside collection plus home and dog stuff, but my favorite part is the “BEACH by the Seaside Style” annex across the street. This is where all the bright colored gear is plus fun beach gear and a pretty impressive collection of Stoney Clover.
RELATED: 30a Travel Guide: All of My Favorite Spots
A Review of The Pearl at Rosemary Beach
Rosemary Beach Shopping
Disco: Hands down my favorite shop on 30a. I’m trying to figure out what I need to change about my life so I can dress like this 24/7.
Hidden Lantern Bookstore: Hidden Lantern is a totally different scene than Sundog Books in Seaside, but they have a great selection. It’s really well curated and organized and there’s plenty of space to take it all in and move around the store.
Bombasa Surf Shop: So many great brands. Equal parts beach gear must haves and fun clothes.
Gigi’s Fabulous Kids: I don’t have kids (do dogs count?), but I always like to stop in this shop to buy presents if I have a baby shower or something coming up. A lot of their stuff is really precious.
WaterColor Shopping
Old Florida Outfitters: I love a good “gear” shop and this one is a gem. A lot of outdoor brands, plus cozy tees and hoodies.
All of the Other Shops: Ha! I don’t usually spend much time shopping in WaterColor so I don’t have names for you, but on my last trip I was super impressed by the stretch of shops between Old Florida Outfitter and the WaterColor Inn.
Grayton Beach Shopping
Tribe Kelly Surf Outpost: I’m never in Grayton Beach when this place is open, but I really, really want to stop by. Seems like the kind of place I would like.
Shard Shop: Yes, you can buy glass art, but this is more of an activity. They have workshops several times a day and you can make your own glass art. It’s a great rainy day activity or something to do in the winter.
Mahalo: Another cute looking place that was closed when I was there last time.
Watersound Shopping
The Shops at the Hub on 30a: Okay, this isn’t my favorite shopping spot on 30a (it’s just not 100% my vibe), but if you’re at the Hub for dinner, you should definitely check the shops out.
Seacrest Shopping
Ophelia’s: A super posh swim boutique with pretttttty high end brands. With locations in Seaside and the Grand Boulevard in Sandestin, the Seacrest shop is my favorite.
Shopping Nearby
Grand Boulevard in SanDestin: There’s plenty of shopping in the Destin area, but I think the best spot is the Grand Boulevard. It’s actually pretty close to 30a too. There’s a Lilly Pulitzer, Vineyard Vines and Southern Tide plus a huge Orvis shop and other favorites like Lululemon, and Anthropologie.
More posts about the area:
Things to Do in Apalachicola & St George Island
Destin vs Panama City Beach vs Pensacola
P.S. If you want to follow along on my travel adventures in real time, you can follow me on Instagram (@caitylincoln). My post captions are full of travel tips and I have a ton of story highlights and videos with great info. And share my account with your travel loving friends! Your support really helps me keep this blog running!