We just arrived home from the magical stretch of coastline that is 30A, Florida! The Emerald Coast it’s called! Have you been? Imagine miles of powder-white beaches, turquoise waters, and sunsets so dreamy you’ll pinch yourself that this is right here in the U.S.

For this trip, we stayed in one of the Alaya Collection homes, by 360 Blue , called “Kicking Back”, (you can see the exact house we stayed in through that link.) They are top-tier luxury properties that come with your own dedicated guest specialist. (And good news — they’ve given me a 10% off booking code, valid on stays through December 2025! And valid on most of their homes! Use code CINDY10 )

Our home was perched right on Seagrove Beach, and let me tell you… the views were everything. Truly, there isn’t a restaurant around that could compete with coffee on the balcony or dinner while watching the waves roll in.

Why the Alaya Collection Feels Special

Each Alaya home comes with a guest specialist who’s just a call or text away for anything you need. And when I say anything, truly almost anything. From in-home grocery delivery, private chef dinners, cooking classes, and massages, to paddle boards, beach chair/umbrella setups, and more. 360 Blue’s team can arrange it all. It’s vacation made effortless.

The convenience of having a home right on the beach was especially amazing with the grandkids. We’d pop down for morning swims and seashell hunts, then head back up for breakfast, lunch or naps. It made the days feel easy and unrushed.

The Charm of Seagrove Beach

Seagrove itself turned out to be the perfect location — relaxed, convenient, and full of little gems, all just a golf cart ride away (yes, the house came with one!). A few favorites:

• Beachy Bean Coffee – lattes, muffins, avocado toast, and plenty of gluten-free options by day…then a wine bar by afternoon. I even met up with a fellow creator there for a glass of wine — the cutest vibe.
• Old Florida Fish House – a longtime favorite with outdoor seating strung with lights, live music, and space for the kids to run.
• Buddy’s Seafood Market – the spot for fresh fish and seafood. They’ll even steam it for you so you can bring it back to the house for dinner.
• Greenway Station – a new, beautiful shopping center with one of my all-time favorite home stores, Linen & Sand (a total must-stop). There’s also Free People and The Salty Butcher, a gourmet shop with meats, cheeses, and wine.

And yes, Seagrove Beach is private, which means fewer crowds and more of that peaceful, toes-in-the-sand feeling.

Beyond Seagrove

If you want to explore, here are a few can’t-miss spots nearby:

• Seaside (10 min golf cart ride) – the iconic little town with food trucks, shops, and a charming square.
• Alys Beach (10 min) – stunning Greek-inspired architecture, chic shops, and my favorite stop: Fonville Press, a market, café, and beautiful bar all in one.
• Rosemary Beach (15 min) – another dreamy town full of shops, cafés, and restaurants. Don’t miss La Crema for fondue and tapas.

But honestly, the top “to-do” here is simply the sugar-white sand and turquoise water. Sometimes the best thing is to do nothing at all.

✈️ How to Get There

Fly into Panama City (ECP) or Fort Walton (VPS), rent a car, and in under an hour you’ll be pulling up to paradise.

How to Book

Browse the homes on 360 Blue’s website — they have everything from stylish coastal retreats to luxury beachfront estates. And don’t forget to use my code (CINDY10) for 10% off stays through December 2025!

Trust me, once you’re here, you won’t want to leave either.