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Are you planning a trip to 30A in 2024? If so, you have come to the right place. I am a local Airbnb superhost and can answer any 30A question that you may have! One that I see asked very often is about 30A golf cart rentals.
Today, I want to talk about 30A golf cart rentals on the east end of 30A, specifically Rosemary Beach, Seacrest Beach, and Alys Beach. Long story short, golf carts are not allowed on the east end of 30A. The good news is that you don’t need them. The east end of 30A, from Alys Beach to Rosemary Beach, is 100% walkable. I am familiar with these areas and can address this topic with 100% certainty.
However, 30A and the 30A beachside communities cover a large area, and I would like to also talk about golf cart usage on 30A in general.
So, let’s deep dive into the topic of golf carts on 30A!
What’s Up With 30A Golf Cart Rentals?
There is a lot to unpack here because this is undoubtedly the most polarizing issue in South Walton County, Florida, where 30A is located. It’s important to ensure we are discussing the same thing here, so let’s unpack that first.
LSVs vs. Golf Carts
The street legal golf carts you see on 30A are actually LSVs – low-speed vehicles. This means they are treated as a vehicle with license plates, rearview mirrors, seat belts, etc., intended for use on roads with a maximum speed limit of 35 mph or lower. This differs from a golf cart you drive on a golf course, like the one you see below.
I will use the terms interchangeably here, as most people call them “golf carts.” Still, please know that I am referring to licensed LSVs in this 30A golf cart rentals blog post and not an actual golf cart like shown above.
So, What’s the Big Debate About Golf Carts and LSVs on 30A?
In summary, many tourists love them; locals tend to hate them. And the Walton Couty Sherriff’s Office has to designate many resources to help manage them. This topic of conversation sparks a heated debate whenever brought up!
Why Do Most Locals Hate 30A Golf Cart Rentals?
Bottlenecks: The primary issue is that while these low-speed vehicles are allowed on roads with a speed limit of 35 mph, many go much slower. It isn’t unusual for an older electric cart to max out at 20 mph. This causes traffic to back up along the roughly 20 miles of scenic highway. It’s all fun and games if everyone is on vacation. However, the truth is that many people live on 30A, work here, and go to school here.
In mid-2023, the county is working on adding a few areas where carts can pull to the side safely to let people pass.
Safety: Another overwhelming concern is safety. While the same laws apply to these golf carts as they do vehicles, many don’t abide by them. Licensed drivers are the only ones who should be operating these, but middle school kids joyride around neighborhoods in them. It’s common to see babies on parent’s laps, sometimes while they are driving. Or young toddlers sitting alone in the back, usually four kids in a space for two.
The Walton County Sheriff’s Department is cracking down on violations. Still, every time I am there, I see people driving around in them with open alcohol.
Hazards: One other issue is parking. These golf carts or LSVs must be parked in an actual parking spot. However, many people make up their own spot for them, often blocking sidewalks or hanging out into the street from the curb.
Why Do People Rent Golf Carts on 30A?
So, if they are such a pain in the butt, why are 30A golf cart rentals so popular? One word – vacation!
For many, it’s a fun novelty they look forward to while visiting 30A. And many do use them responsibly. I estimate that 50% of people renting and driving golf carts on 30A do things safely and correctly.
Being a beach destination, driving golf carts to the beach does help keep sand out of their personal vehicles. Weather permitting, people enjoy the salt air on their skin as they cruise from community to community.
To be fair, there are areas where they are helpful, especially in master-planned communities set back far from the beach, where they are more functional. In this case, drivers typically cross 30A but aren’t traversing 30A. Some of these neighborhoods even have small golf cart parking lots.
I personally find it somewhat silly to rent a golf cart if you have a vehicle available. But I do see how it’s appealing for people who fly into 30A airports. Sometimes, they choose an LSV over a rental car as a way to transport items to the beach.
30A Golf Cart Rules
Let’s talk about the rules and regulations for LSVs (low-speed vehicles), better known as golf carts, on 30A! For the most part, it is going to parallel the rules you follow in a standard vehicle.
LSV Rules and Laws
The best resource here is the Walton County Sheriff’s Office LSV page. It has everything you need to know. But here is a summary.
- Golf Carts that haven’t been made into LSVs are never allowed on any roadway. These don’t have license plates and belong on golf courses.
- LSVs must have a valid registration tag affixed to their license plates. They must have seatbelts, headlights, taillights, turn signals, horns, mirrors, parking brakes, side and reflectors, and a VIN to obtain this.
- Must be able to reach 20 MPH but not greater than 25 MPH.
- Drivers must have a valid driver’s license.
- All occupants under the age of 18 must wear a seat belt. All front seat occupants must wear a seat belt. All children under 6 must be in a car seat or booster seat.
- Low-speed vehicles may only be driven on roadways with 35 MPH and under speed limits. They can not drive or park on sidewalks or bike paths.
- Should adhere to all other vehicular laws. This means no drinking and driving, a complete stop where required, etc.
- LSVs can not drive on the sandy beaches in Walton County.
Where are Golf Carts Allowed on 30A?
So, you are on the up and up and ready to follow all the rules. But where can you use your golf cart or LSV on 30A?
The actual road 30A (Scenic Highway 30A) is 35mph and under, and LSVs can be driven the entire length. They can be parked in actual public parking spots along 30A, at any public beach access or state park. The main restrictions come into play when venturing off 30A.
The 30A area, often called Santa Rosa Beach, comprises many communities and neighborhoods that are incorporated and remain private. This means they make their own rules around LSVs in their community and private property. This is why it’s difficult to explain where golf carts (LSVs) are allowed and where they aren’t. This is the same reason I had to write a 3000-word blog post to explain the difference between the public and private beaches on 30A.
Some neighborhoods even have rules stating that rental carts aren’t allowed, or carts are only to be driven by owners. Some only allow one vendor to service that neighborhood or specifically allow eclectic carts but not gas carts. Areas such as Seaside do allow the parking of golf carts in their lot; however, visitors to Seaside can not drive them around the community. The only way to get a true and accurate answer is to ask your Airbnb host or the rental management company you rent from. They can give you accurate answers around 30A golf cart rentals at that exact property.
Map Showing Where You Can Drive LSVs on 30A
The Sherrif’s office provides a great map showing where you can not drive LSVs in South Walton Couty. Click here to view their interactive map, allowing you to zoom in and scroll.
To answer the question in the title of this post, here is a cropped section showing the east end of 30A, including Alys Beach, Seacrest Beach, and Rosemary Beach.
You will notice that they are allowed in Inlet Beach. However, Winston Lane is a one-way street heading north. So, there is no way to get from these 30A communities to Inlet Beach without cutting through a restaurant parking lot and then driving several feet on a sidewalk. This, of course, is not allowed, but many people believe they want a golf cart to visit the large regional public beach access in Inlet Beach from 30A.
So, let’s answer today’s questions at hand.
Can You Have Golf Carts in Rosemary Beach, Florida?
No, you can drive through Rosemary Beach while staying on Highway 30A, but driving and parking in Rosemary Beach is prohibited.
Are Golf Cart Rentals Allowed in Seacrest Beach?
Seacrest Beach is made up of a few different homeowner and condominium associations. At The Village of South Walton, where the Peddlers Pavillion is, golf carts and LSVs are not permitted to be driven or parked in the community. This is where I own my vacation rentals, so I am very familiar with the rules here.
In the adjacent Seacrest Beach residential neighborhood, only owners are allowed to be behind the wheel of them. Visitors and guests are not permitted to rent or use carts of LSVs in this neighborhood.
Once again, you can drive through this area on 30A but can not turn off into these communities nor can you park in them.
Can You Drive a Golf Cart in Alys Beach?
Alys Beach is another drive-through-only community. They have a zero-tolerance policy, and you can not drive an LSV on the private streets that make up Alys Beach.
So, Do You Need 30A Golf Cart Rentals At All?
I hope I have clarified that LSVs are not permitted in these communities on the east end of 30A. But, as I mentioned earlier, you don’t need them. The beauty of these communities is that they are very walkable. You can easily access dozens of shops and restaurants in under 10 minutes from almost anywhere.
But what about the rest of 30A? There are areas where they are a better fit, especially on the west end of this vacation hot spot. Often, these are areas where most establishments and the beach aren’t within walking distance. 30A golf cart rentals are most popular in these areas.
30A Golf Cart Rentals
If you decide that you are interested in golf cart rentals in other parts of Santa Rosa Beach, many companies rent them out. A quick Google search for 30A golf cart rentals will put you in touch with many. However, asking your host or the company you are booking through is still very important before entering into a contract.
I will note that these rentals are not cheap. You should ask yourself if the cost outweighs the convenience. And if you do, make sure to follow the rules!
Also, the following map from 30A.com shows you the number of parking spaces you will find at the public beaches on 30A. If not listed here, the access has under 10 parking spaces.
I will say that whether you are for or against golf carts on 30A, you should follow the NoCarts30A page on Instagram. They highlight some of the jaw-dropping behavior seen on some LSVs in the area. It’s eye-opening and helps show where the problems lie and why this topic is so controversial!
In the words of the great philosopher Taylor Swift, “This is why we can’t have nice things.” Regardless of whether you are for or against the use of LSVs on 30A, careless and dangerous behavior leads to major accidents. It is why many people want the speed limit raised to 36 mph on 30a, therefore disallowing them.
One other thing to note is that many of the 30A congestion problems, amplified by the carts, are seasonal. For example, in the peak summer month of July, you won’t be able to find much parking anywhere for an LSV or a vehicle. I have a blog post about the best time to visit 30A that shares what to expect in the area each month! And don’t miss my complete 30A packing list blog post!
Our 30A Vacation Rentals in Seacrest Beach, FL
If you have made it this far and want to book a place in the very walkable east end of 30A, consider our condos in Seacrest Beach. I am a top-rated Airbnb superhost and provide my guests with comfortable accommodations and top-notch service.
Click here to see my Seacrest Beach vacation rentals!
Are You Interested in Becoming an Airbnb Host on 30A?
And, if you are interested in becoming an Airbnb host or are a current host looking to level up your game, check out the Airbnb hosting section of my blog! It is a great resource, leaving no questions unanswered!
Here, you will find everything from the Best Mattress for your Airbnb to Easy Ways to Make Your Airbnb Baby Friendly.
If you are a guest, read Don’t Ghost Your Host. It’s full of great tips on being a good guest!
And lastly, if you are just thinking about becoming an Airbnb host, make sure to read my Truth I Wish I Knew Before Becoming An Airbnb Host blog post!
PIN This 30A Golf Cart Rentals Blog Post
This is absolutely the best, most comprehensive guide on the web concerning LSVs and golf carts on 30A. Once again, Sarah has created a true masterpiece, with insightful in-depth analysis and trusted recommendations. She is simply the greatest at what she does!! Nic
I learned more from this, than all the other places I’ve looked on the web. I never thought golf carts would not be allowed. I have a disability that won’t permit me to walk far or for long. I am concerned a bike or electric bike won’t be my best option either. We will be in the Rosemary area. If I had known this, I would have chosen a different location. Thank you sooo much for such detailed instructions. (Loved your TS reference!)
I am glad that it was helpful Lisa! The Rosemary Beach area is not super spread out, so the walks aren’t overly long. However, you can try to reach out to the town of Rosemary Beach itself if you are staying in Rosemary Beach proper. I believe that if you have a handicap, you can ask for a handicap permit to allow a golf cart. However, the parking for that would be is the same as regular parking, so it doesn’t add any value over what a standard vehicle with a handicap permit would offer. I have personally never seen one being used in that area as parking in general is limited. Also, the only beach access nearby with parking right near the access is in Inlet Beach and you can’t get a golf cart over there as it requires a short stretch of highway. So, you will likely be better off just using your regular vehicle there.