30A In Winter: Is It A Good Time To Visit? (Pros & Cons)

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Are you thinking about planning a trip to 30A in Winter? The off-season can be a great time to visit the 30A beaches, but there are some downsides, too! In this Florida travel blog post, I will break down what to expect during Winter in South Walton County, Florida!

If you don’t have time to read this 30A travel blog post now, you can pin the following image and save it for later. There is a lot of great 30A advice in this post!

30A In Winter

Typically, when you think about winter travel destinations, Florida comes to mind first. And it’s a great place to visit! However, the temperatures vary quite a bit between popular southern Florida travel destinations like Miami and the communities well to the north in the Florida panhandle.

How so? Well, average January highs in Miami are 74 degrees, with an average low of around 63 degrees. At the same time, average January temperatures in Seaside, Florida, only reach about 62 degrees, with an average low in the mid-40s.

But Florida panhandle temperatures are still warmer than most of the United States, making it a great place to visit. You just need to know what to expect when visiting 30A in Winter!

Where Is 30A?

If you haven’t yet discovered the 30A beaches, you’re on for a treat! 30A is a 2 lane county highway between Destin and Panama City Beach, dotted with small communities and endless charm. You may recognize Seaside, Florida, as where The Truman Show was filmed. Other popular communities include Rosemary Beach, Alys Beach, and Grayton Beach, just to name a few. These are all unincorporated resort towns, so on addresses, you will usually see one of two cities (tied to the 2 zip codes): Santa Rosa Beach or Inlet Beach.

READ: A Basic Introduction To 30A

What Is The 30A Off-Season?

First, let’s define “off-season” on 30A! In my Best Time To Visit 30A blog post, I go through what it’s like month by month. If you haven’t read that already, it’s a fantastic resource!

There, I define the peak season as Memorial Day—Labor Day, as well as Spring and Fall Breaks.

The 30A shoulder seasons are most of March through May, as well as September and October. The exception is the school breaks mentioned above when the area gets very busy!

This leaves the 30A off-season as November, December, January, and February. These are indeed the slowest and coolest months on 30A. The exceptions are Thanksgiving Day through the long weekend and the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day, when the area welcomes many annual visitors.

What Is 30A Like In Winter?

So, now let’s look at the pros and cons of visiting 30A during the wintertime. This will help you get a good feel for what 30A is like in Winter and decide if it’s a good time for you to plan your trip!

Overall, it’s much less busy and significantly cheaper, yet it can be cold and a little sleepy at times. So, let’s break it down!

4 Pros Of Visiting 30A In Winter

If you like saving money and aren’t set on a sunny beach vacation, a 30A winter trip may be perfect for you. Plus, it’s a great time to make your first trip to 30A. The lessened traffic allows you to explore all of the towns and pick which one you may want to come back to for a summer trip!

#1 Score Great 30A Deals

The number one reason to visit 30A in the offseason is the great deals on vacation rentals. In fact, you can literally save 90% off peak summer rates. I know that because I sometimes give those discounts during my slowest weeks at my Airbnb condos on 30A!

For example, my friends and I went on a girls’ trip in early February one year and rented a huge home in Rosemary for only $4000, which would have been over $25,000 a week in the summer.

Plus, many properties that have weeklong rentals during summer will allow shorter stays during the slower months.

Click here to browse 30A accommodations!

#2 30A Holiday Festivities

I love 30A during the holidays! In particular, Rosemary Beach, Alys Beach, and Seaside do a wonderful job putting together fun holiday celebrations. Each year, we love staying at our condos near Rosemary Beach and participating in the Hallmark movie-style tree-lighting ceremony after Thanksgiving. Here is an Instagram reel I made of it one year ago. It’s pure magic!

Most towns are decorated for the holidays with beautiful seasonal window displays. This is why I highly recommend staying near Rosemary Beach, Seacrest Beach, and Alys Beach on the east end of 30A or in the Seaside, Seagrove, and Watercolor area at the center of 30A.

It’s always a good idea to check out the event calendars during the off-season to see what fun things are happening! You’ll be surprised at the things to do on 30A in Winter. And if you don’t see anything scheduled now, don’t worry. Most 30A calendars update 4-8 weeks before events!

30A Events Calendars:

Also, most restaurants aren’t open for regular dining on holidays, but there are a handful in each area that offer special meals for Thanksgiving and Christmas. These often require advance reservations.

#3 30A Is Much Less Crowded

During the beach summer season, 30A and its beautiful white sand beaches can be very busy! Usually, parking is difficult to find, and this small two-lane highway is bursting with traffic. The Gulf Coast is such a popular vacation destination!

It can be difficult to really “explore” the 30A area when it is this busy. However, the off-season is a really great time to do so. Also, you can usually find some great airfare deals during the slower months!

#4 Enjoy Festivals On 30A

Lastly, there are some great special events and festivals each year, including the popular 30A Songwriters Festival in January, which features live music, and the Rosemary Beach Uncorked in November.

Plus, most of the local Farmer’s Markets run year-round and the state parks always remain open.

If you enjoy running, the 30A10K takes place every year on Thanksgiving in the Rosemary Beach / Seacrest Beach area. Our family has run it a couple of times, and it’s a lot of fun! Seaside also hosts a half marathon and 5k every February to benefit the Seaside School.

4 Cons of Visiting 30A In Winter

That all sounds great, but what are the downsides of planning a trip to 30A in Winter? It really comes down to weather, sunlight, and sleepy towns. So, let’s dig in!

#1 Gulf Water Is Cold

The water in the Gulf of Mexico peaks during late summer and cools off quickly come the end of October. For most people, the Gulf of Mexico is too cold to swim in during the Winter. But it’s all about perspective. I have seen many northerners in there in January!

That said, if it’s a warm and sunny day, you most certainly can do some sunbathing during the off-season and enjoy the beautiful white quartz sand beaches in Winter. Flying kites is another one of the most fun things to do at the beach in the Winter. We have spent many winter days at the beach. Here is a photo of Abby flying a kite on Christmas Day!

#2 Some Areas Can Be Sleepy

Most businesses stay open all year on 30A. There are usually always things to do on 30A in November. That said, many take shorter 2-4 week breaks sometime between December and February to do annual maintenance and give employees a break. In the more quiet parts of 30A, it may feel very sleepy. However, staying in or near one of the main 30A towns means that some things will always be open.

A few places, such as Crabby Steves (on the beach), close from November 1 to February 28. Other seasonal hut-type businesses also close during slower months.

#3 Temperatures Really Vary

It’s really hard to predict the weather in advance during the Winter on 30A. There have been many times I have been down there on a sunny 75-degree January day, only to have the next day be a crisp 50 degrees. But, for many, it’s a nice break from the hot and humid 30A weather during summertime.

So, pack accordingly! One of the most popular 30A activities is bike riding and it’s actually really nice with a light jacket on a cool day.

READ: Things To Do On 30A With Kids

Winter on 30A and a girl looking for shells

#4 Short Days & Early Sunsets

30A is located on the eastern edge of the central time zone. This means that the sun sets pretty early in the Winter! In November and December, the sun sets before 5 pm every day. This means shorter days but also more cool nights. So, while it may be warmer when the sun is out, the temperatures drop quickly in the late afternoon.

But the winter sunsets are some of the best! And you can catch that and still have time to go back and get ready for dinner.

Tips For Visiting 30A In Winter

As you can see, 30A is a great place to visit during the off-season. You just need to know what to expect. Here are a couple more tips to help you make the most out of your winter trip to 30A.

My first and best tip is to look for a place with a heated pool! Some condo complexes heat the pool all year, and some only do so during particular windows. So, always ask your Airbnb host or rental management company. Many homes with private pools allow you to heat them for a fee.

Additionally, since there are so many off-season deals, I would highly recommend finding a rental near one of the main towns. That way, you can enjoy walking to great shops, restaurants, and accommodations that you wouldn’t be able to afford in the peak summer season!

Shameless plug here… if you are a couple or a young family traveling, our condos on 30A offer both and are a fantastic option for your off-season trip to 30A. Enjoy our heated pool and hot tub here at the Village of South Walton. Plus, dozens of shops and restaurants are available in Seacrest Beach, Rosemary Beach, and Alys Beach! Plus, I give my guests custom recommendations for your exact dates to help provide a great vacation guide.

Click here to learn more about Our Little Retreats 30A Airbnb Rentals!

More 30A Travel Guides

Happy travels! If you’re planning a trip to 30A in the winter months or summer, make sure to read my other 30A travel blog posts. They answer many questions about the emerald coast, from 30A airports to private beaches. I even have a great 30A packing list that you will want for your trip to South Walton County.

Browse my 30A blog posts!