With so many attractions along Florida's Emerald Coast, and especially along scenic Hwy 30A, why do so many visitors choose to stay in Seaside proper? Perhaps the most compelling reason is that Seaside is unique; you can come close to it but only Seaside itself - the real deal, the original design - will do for the real experience.
Not everyone stays here in town of course, as we get lots of day visitors who are staying at other places along the coast, and visiting Seaside to enjoy the food, the shopping and the numerous special events that Seaside hosts. The events make the town stand out along Hwy 30A as the quaint place that also has things going on. And there's also the delight of the town itself, to walk though and enjoy, with its pastel-painted architectural gems; historic, orderly and calm, and with a touch of funky.
So Seaside has a delicate balance to preserve, in welcoming its numerous visitors who love the town and at the same time keeping the amenities available for the guests who are actually staying in Seaside proper. This balance shows nowhere better than in the private beach that Seaside maintains.
The Beach at Seaside
Seaside has the largest private beach along the Emerald Coast, and keeps it pristine for residents and guests as a conservation measure. It's important not to destroy the ecosystem of the dunes that front the beach - along which you can spot wild deer grazing if you're quiet, early in the morning say, drinking coffee on the porch of your vacation cottage. These kinds of moments are precious, and Seaside acts as the steward, to keep them available for generations to come.
But everyone is welcome in Seaside, a friendly town above all things, and the parking situation is another reason that visitors feel at ease to come to town. Seaside offers free parking during many of the special holiday seasons, and it's paid parking at other times. But since parking is limited in the town, it's also managed parking, with the new app available to take a slot and pay through your phone.
Parking at Seaside
Parking is managed by an intelligent system that knows when slots around town are getting full, and tries to allow spaces open just enough for that serendipity of finding a place to park right where you wanted one. Any money that comes from paid parking goes into supporting the free shuttles that run from early until late, bringing our day visitors into the middle of the Seaside fun from the spacious parking lot outside of town. And the town and its visitors so far are pretty happy with how well this balancing act is working.
Getting to Seaside proper is easy from practically anywhere, with two nearby airports receiving direct flights from multiple places across the country, and rental cars, shuttles and even limos to bring you into town. And as guests who drive in to stay in Seaside soon discover, once here you can leave that car turned off, and be content just strolling around this most walkable of towns, designed from the beginning to be easy. You can also use the bicycles that come complimentary with your vacation cottage, for some extra zip to get around, trading the sand alleyways for the paved streets.
Seaside's Florida Location
And given Seaside's location amid some of Florida's most pristine parks and natural settings, you can always get a car for a scenic day trip outside of town. Our Concierge team can make all these travel arrangements for you, as well as any errands or other arrangements you want, including a bonfire or gourmet lunch on the beach during the times when you just want to stay put and enjoy Seaside.
There's so much to enjoy about the life inside the real town, in Seaside proper, that it's hard to cover it all. Amid all the marvelous architecture (including the pavilions that lead onto the beach as another dune-preserving innovation), you'll find gourmet food trucks and restaurants, eclectic shops and markets, art galleries, funky collections of gifts and souvenirs, the upscale farmers market every weekend, the movie nights under the stars, the live music at the Amphitheater, the great talent that comes here and also lives here, including the performers in our own REP Theatre, the public spaces and quiet walks, the beach, the sunsets...you get the idea.
Come and stay here, in Seaside proper, if you can, and welcome to this perfect little world. If you can't book one of our gorgeous luxury cottages, come in anyway, for the day or for one of the events happening. Either way, please enjoy and make the most of Florida's unique urban design, the town of Seaside.