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Are you looking for the perfect Florida beach getaway this year?
One of the best destinations in the United States is actually an underrated Florida beach town tucked away on the Emerald Coast, a beautiful 100-mile stretch along the Florida Panhandle.
Santa Rosa Beach, Florida was just ranked as the third fastest-growing destination in the country according to TripAdvisor’s Summer Travel Index.
I love this beach and it’s no surprise to me that it’s finally becoming more popular as travelers discover this hidden gem on the Emerald Coast.
Here’s why travelers are flocking to this stunning beach destination right now:
White Sand Beaches And Emerald Waters
One of the biggest draws of this coastal Florida town is the beautiful beaches!
Santa Rosa Beach is located along 30A, a scenic 24-mile stretch of highway dotted with more than a dozen little beach towns.
In my opinion, as someone who has spent a lot of time in 30A, this is the prettiest part of Florida’s Emerald Coast, which is famous for its clear emerald-turquoise waters and white sand beaches.
The best public beaches in Santa Rosa are Blue Mountain Beach, Dune Allen Beach, and Ed Walline Beach and all of these beaches are absolutely gorgeous!
You can easily spend all day relaxing on the white sand and swimming in the warm, clear waters.
Quaint Small Town Atmosphere
Santa Rosa Beach also has a delightful small-town atmosphere that many visitors love.
You’ll find plenty of places to eat nearby, from high-end restaurants to casual seafood shacks to shaved ice and ice cream shops where you can cool off with a frozen treat.
Many people prefer getting around 30A by bike, which adds to the small-town atmosphere.
Santa Rosa Beach is just one of many little beach towns along 30A, so you can easily explore the rest of the area (my favorite towns to check out are Seaside and Rosemary Beach!)
Less Crowded And Less Developed
Honestly, Santa Rosa Beach and the rest of 30A have changed a lot in the last few years. The area is definitely becoming more crowded and more developed.
After all, Santa Rosa Beach was just ranked as the third fastest-growing destination in the United States!
But now is definitely the time to go before things get too crowded and developed.
Compared to other parts of Florida, Santa Rosa Beach is still a calm, laid-back destination. You won’t find any of the high-rise hotels and condos or crowds of Miami Beach here.
Santa Rosa Beach is much more relaxed, still retaining that small town vibe. The best time to visit if you want to avoid crowds is fall and winter. Any time in September after Labor Day and October are the best months if you still want to enjoy warm weather and swimming in the ocean.
It can get pretty chilly from November through February, and the spring break crowds start up in March, so fall is really the sweet spot for visiting 30A.
It Can Still Be An Affordable Destination
Santa Rosa Beach has gotten more expensive in the past few years, but it can still be an affordable destination when compared to many other beaches in Florida.
There aren’t many hotels in Santa Rosa Beach (or 30A as a whole — it’s more about rental houses and condos than hotels here) but there are a few and they’re often under $150 a night.
You can also find rental properties on websites like Vrbo and Airbnb for under $150 a night.
This is a LOT cheaper than the most expensive destinations in Florida and actually puts Santa Rosa Beach in the most affordable range of beach towns in Florida.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.