Are you ready for a week at the beach with your friends? We have everything you need to plan the perfect girls beach getaway! The Emerald Coast is full of amazing shops, restaurants, and attractions that offer tons of fun for everyone.
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Plan the Ultimate Girls Getaway to the Beach
Day One
For the early birds, the onsite gym at Adagio is a great way to get your blood pumping. If you yearn for Yoga, Yoga Bar is just across the street from Adagio and offers yoga, Happy Hour yoga, and hot yoga. Want to keep it simple? A run or walk on our sugar white beach is another great way to start the day.
Once you complete your workout, head across the street to Blue Mountain Bakery. Try their cinnamon rolls, scones, and granola–you earned it! Blue Mountain Bakery also offers gluten-free baked goods, and they make the best turkey wrap. Why not bring the goodies back to enjoy with coffee on your balcony overlooking the gulf? Of course, since it’s your first full day on sunny 30A in Northwest Florida, you’ll want to experience the pools – and there are several. The gulf front pool is heated in the off-season (once the water temperature drops below 88 degrees) or the three pools linked by waterfalls totaling 8,000 square feet of water relaxation. Or, of course, you could walk down the steps onto Adagio’s beautiful, white-sand beach. The Gulf temperature is still in the low 80s in September and October, and the air temperature is perfect – the mid to upper 80’s.
Now what to do for dinner? How about ordering ahead of the steamed shrimp from Goatfeather’s Seafood Market just a mile away? Then pop open our complimentary bottle of wine and enjoy supper under the stars on the balcony. After dinner, how about playing some board or word games in the spacious living area? On a recent girl’s trip with high school friends (yes, we’ve been friends for a LONG time), we played Chatpack– fun questions to spark conversations. My friends and I had fun with the question, “If you were a multimillionaire, where would you be and what do you believe you would be doing at this moment.” We all agreed – we would be together here!
Day Two
Our visiting women have busy careers and take care of busy families as well, so my suggestion is to start the day with a massage. For The Health of It is next door to Blue Mountain Bakery and has wonderful masseuses. Call ahead of time to get an appointment. In need of some major “me” time? Why not make a day of pampering? Treat yourself to Serenity by the Sea at the Hilton in Sandestin. Arrive early for your treatment to enjoy the sauna, steam room, and whirlpool. They also massage your feet which is heavenly.
Continue your day of relaxation afterward in comfy white robes and order lunch in the newly updated lounge. My friends and I have turned one treatment into a full day of relaxing! Even if you have only one treatment, you can stay for hours relaxing in the lounge. But make sure you return in time for Happy Hour! Just across the street is Johnny McTigues, an Irish Pub with $1 drafts. For live music, head to Red Fish Taco which has live music most nights – and great outdoor seating to enjoy it!
Day Three
What is a girls beach getaway without shopping? You may secretly be hoping for a cloudy day so you can enjoy the nearby Silver Sands Premium Outlet. The outlet has designer stores like Kate Spade, Sak’s Off Fifth Avenue, Michael Kors, Nike, White House/Black Market, and J. Crew … just to name a few. If the massage therapy wasn’t enough to lift your spirits, shopping at Retail Therapy just across from the outlets will delight you–dozens of different shops like Kitchenique all under one roof.
There is no better place to grab a bite to eat in 30A than Seaside! Great Southern Café is on Central Square. The menu includes new-fashioned Southern cuisine, fresh veggies, seafood, and the “Littlest Oyster Bar.” If you are hungry but in a hurry to get back to shopping, pick up lunch at Song, a Southeast Asian-inspired food truck right on 30A by the famous Seaside Post Office. Speaking of famous, visit Modica’s Market on Central Square. Modica’s Market was made famous in Jim Carey’s movie, The Truman Show. If you have lingered long enough for another Happy Hour, 30A’s top spot for sunsets is Bud and Alley’s Rooftop Bar. Celebrating sunset at Bud and Alley’s is a Seaside ritual you’ll want to return to year after year.
Day Four
Our 30A area is the birthplace of YOLO – yes, You Only Live Once Paddleboards were developed here – and what’s SUP with that? SUP is another brand of stand-up paddleboards here on the Emerald Coast. Stand Up Paddleboarding is a not-to-be-missed adventure either on our emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico or on our many dune lakes. I am partial to YOLO boards since I have a pink one that I love to climb aboard in the early mornings. The water is clear and smooth then, so I can see the stingrays, sea turtles, and even gets close to pods of dolphins as I paddle along.
If you didn’t bring your own, no worries! Our free YFAB app lists places to rent paddleboards and adventures like YOLO Yoga and paddle core fitness classes. Whether you spend a morning serenely paddling our tranquil dune lakes on a guided tour or curing workout boredom with a paddleboard interval class, You Only Live Once — so be sure to add paddleboarding to your girl’s getaway events.
In the afternoon, you should explore Grayton Beach, the oldest of the fifteen unique villages along scenic 30A. When I first discovered Grayton Beach, I thought I had been transported back in time to the 1950s. I found wooden houses made of weathered cypress and bordered by sand streets and an abundance of trees. Over 100 years old, Grayton Beach’s early settlers, the Butler family, led the push to keep 30A free of high rises – and Grayton Beach reflects that charming seaside feel of years ago. This quaint village is also almost surrounded by Grayton Beach State Recreation, home to dunes and miles of beachfront.
Walk the wide public beaches and then circle back to explore the most famous “Bar” on the Emerald Coast. Red Bar in Grayton Beach is so popular that we have guests call me and ask how close our condos are to Red Bar! Open for lunch and dinner with a short but sweet menu, make sure you get there early as there are no reservations. The seafood is fresh and perfectly prepared, but an absolute favorite is the Crab Cake – a generous portion! If the line is too long at Red Bar, try Beach Camp. One of our guests recently ate there and loved the shrimp and grits. If you go at lunch, enjoy their Po’boys on New Orleans French Bread – you will think you are back in the Quarter!
While you are in Grayton Beach, stop at the friendly and fun Idyll Hounds. This hidden gem offers craft beers with the finest ingredients–three types–The Regulars, The Seasonal, and The Specials. Check their Facebook page as they offer food from other popular kitchens and their hours vary.
Day Five
You should spend the last day of your girls beach getaway on 30A doing what you love the most! We recommend an early morning walk on the beach past the dune lakes on our sugar-white sand beaches. Then coming back to Adagio to ride the miles of bike trails on 30A – this time headed to Gulf Place just about two miles west. Sunrise Coffee Company has an outdoor area for sipping its iced coffee and I just might splurge on a chocolate chip muffin. While at Gulf Place, I would get some last-minute souvenirs at the 30A store where you can find the Official 30A Gear. Head home sporting a 30A T-shirt or tote away some 30A beer or wine for your favorite mister!
While at Gulf Place, pick up some takeout from the Perfect Pig, a delightful café and gourmet market. I love their hickory-smoked pulled chicken with homemade sauce. It reminds me that our area is in the south – with its sweet tea hospitality and delicious southern food.But don’t leave the 30A area before you and the girls have gone to hear Redd sing! Redd, the singing bartender is just across the street from Adagio at Redd’s Fueling Station. Redd will leave you laughing and sometimes blushing, but always entertained! Tell her your friend at the beach sent you… or better yet, call me and I will tag along as I never tire of Redd’s funny patter between her songs.
Plan Your 30A Trip With Your Friend at the Beach
The Adagio, San Remo, or Villa Coyaba are home to the perfect spots to enjoy your girls beach getaway. Enjoy a collection of amenities, including private pools, gyms, and outdoor dining areas. All our properties sit on the pristine shores of 30A, so the distance from your front door to the sand is only a few steps.
Start planning your 30A getaway today by booking one of our condos. We look forward to welcoming you to the Your Friend at the Beach family!