Colorful beach town with lush tree canopy
When entering Rosemary Beach on Scenic Highway 30A, live oaks twist overhead, creating a tunnel of trees that offer welcome shade. Clusters of colorful beach cruisers, intense exterior hues, charcoal gray cobblestone streets and signature sugar-white sands are all part of the visual tapestry. Its name was chosen in honor of the rosemary growing wild on the Gulf. Designed by prominent local architecture firm DPZ, Rosemary Beach has an intentional old-world character and a New Urbanism structure with a walkable town center. Even though it feels long-established, Rosemary Beach broke ground in 1995.
"I don't know if there are other places like this in the U.S.," says Jennifer Crawford, Realtor with Keller Williams' Own at the Beach Team who's been selling in the area since 2013. “I just feel so spoiled. Everyone here always seems to be in a good mood. While you can sometimes get stuck in traffic on 30A, you're really mostly walking and biking here. You're having your groceries delivered. Concierge companies can set up everything from charcuterie boards to beach bonfires." Everywhere on Scenic Highway 30A, the source of the entire area's 30A brand, there's a roughly 50-foot height limit on buildings giving a much cozier feel than bustling Destin or Panama City. "It's a very quiet place," adds Joe Fagundes, Realtor with The Fagundes Luxury Group of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, who's been selling luxury homes in the area since 2017. "It feels like a European town with a comfortable nightlife that calms down early."
Thomas Gallion, owner of Gallion's Restaurant in Rosemary Beach, says, "Everybody knows everybody here, and even as we've grown, you still feel that Southern hospitality. We're one of the only communities that still exists today, in my opinion, that's completely done at 10 o'clock. Coming from anywhere, or especially a big city, it's mind-boggling how peaceful it is." Theresa Felton, Realtor with La Florida Coastal Properties, who's been selling in the area since 2021, says, "There was a vision for this area to preserve natural beauty and stay small-town. You do see a lot of visitors, but when you live here, you see the same faces at events, at the grocery store, at church — wherever you go."
Warm architectural palette, densely gathered condos and homes
Rosemary Beach is sheltered from the Gulf winds by dunes, and homeowners use designated dune walkovers to protect the ecosystem. Homes are painted in rich brick, ochre and olive tones reminiscent of the Dutch West Indies, New Orleans and St. Augustine. Elevated bases, shuttered windows and ornate balconies help the Gulf breeze circulate. Plants must be native, such as live oaks, saw palmetto and rosemary. Parking and garages are on the back side of homes, and it's easier to get around by bike than golf cart. Natural gas lamps and decorative pathways create a sense of walking through a painting. "Rosemary Beach feels like a Norman Rockwell,” says Felton, “with its tree-lined streets and grass fields.”
Parking is scarce on school breaks and all summer in small plazas and on narrow, distinctive streetscapes that make exquisite photo backdrops. Grass lawns thrive only in dedicated green spaces and parks, freeing homeowners from yard work. Depending on size and location, condos surrounding the Town Center range between $1.5 million and $3.5 million. Single-family homes south of 30A fetch from $5 million to $10 million, and waterfront homes can reach as high as $15 million to $20 million. Single-family homes north of 30A range between $3 million and $6 million. "A lot of the homes here will easily do $200,000 a year in rental income,” says Fagundes. “If you're on the water, you're getting as much as $35,000 a week. And it can all be property-managed."
Rooftop Pescado, popular Gallion's and secret Crabby Steve's
In the neighborhood, Pescado Seafood Grill is a surefire favorite with a rooftop bar that's always full. Friends linger over hand-crafted tapas and chocolate at La Crema, and Curate 30A is a popular fine arts retailer with a changing gallery of offerings from artists worldwide. In the evening, couples and families dine by the glow of soft table lights on Gallion's outdoor veranda, sharing entrees prepared by Executive Chef Frank Szymanski, who trained with Emeril Lagasse.
Rosemary Beach is within walking distance to an underpass that's under construction at the 30A and 98 intersection allowing walkers and golf carters lighted car-free access directly to 30Avenue. This commercial plaza, festooned with palms and lined with stone-paved walkways, holds specialty stores, including 30A Olive Oil Co. and Love 2 Run. Restaurants range from Amici Italian to Amigos Mexican to Aja for elevated Asian fare. At Cuvee 3, Chef Tim Creehan, seen on “Emeril’s Florida,” creates award-winning entrees named after celebrities. The Gulf-front Crabby Steve's is known by locals as the "secret beach bar” because it’s only directly accessible by the beachfront or by owners and guests of High Pointe on the beach.
Homeowners don't mind the lack of big box stores in Rosemary Beach. “Overall, 30A is much more about small business,” Crawford says. “It was a really big deal when what we call the 'SmallMart,' which is a small Walmart, was built 7 miles west of here. We don't have a Chili's or an Olive Garden.” One of the area's largest Publix supermarkets is only 2 miles northwest for larger grocery deliveries or runs.
Luxury owners club, community parks and nearby reef snorkeling
Fitness opportunities include swimming and bocce at the Rosemary Beach owners club and hiking the nature trail around the community perimeter. The Barbados, Cabana and Coquina pools throughout the neighborhood are also owner-access. Kids love the cool sand at Rosemary Children's Playground, and social events are often held on two large Gulf-front lawns named Eastern Green and Western Green. In the linear lawn hugging 30A, an 8-foot-tall Blue Dog sculpture donated by late local artist George Rodrigue changes color in the sunlight. Outdoor concerts are held in St. Augustine Park, which also features an interactive play fountain. And right before you reach the tunnel of trees that arch over 30A through Rosemary Beach, Inlet Beach offers the largest beach access point in South Walton County.
Locals are within a mile walk of the Grouper Reef, an artificial reef about 970 feet offshore. "The South Walton Artificial Reef Association," says Felton, "created swimmable reefs with fiberglass pilings offshore to help protect our marine life. They're all different shapes, and not everyone knows about them. In the reefs, you can see beautiful sea turtles and dolphins. It's amazing." Rosemary Beach's respect for the environment includes its beachfront habitat as well. Felton explains, "We use special amber flashlights when walking on the beach at night, so we won't disturb our sea turtles." In respect for indigenous sea turtles who follow the moon's guidance, homes close to the dunes keep their lights low at night.
State-of-the-art Dune Lakes Elementary, strong Walton County School District
Walton County School District and the middle and high schools serving Rosemary Beach all earn an A-minus on Niche. The new Dune Lakes Elementary is designed with a modern driftwood gray and brilliant white exterior. Middle schoolers head to Emerald Coast and advance to South Walton High. In 2024, the Walton boys' soccer team won the regional championship. The private Ohana Institute earns an A-plus on Niche. Immersive programs at Ohana include learning to scuba dive or performing in a rock band.
Beach access ordinance
Since 2018, South Walton County ordinance limits public access to the wet sand area only when walking past private beach property, which means there’s more space for property owners. “It's a big deal because if you live here,” Felton says, “you want to go to the beach right where you live and not fight for a spot on the beach." Homebuyers should also clarify any essential insurance requirements because hurricanes are always a potential threat on the Gulf Coast and have caused considerable damage in the past.
More bikes than cars, Scenic Highway 30A, airport within 20 miles
Two major corridors converge at Rosemary Beach. Along the coast, portions of Scenic Highway 30A are as low as 25 miles per hour, and inland on 98, traffic moves a bit faster. Homeowners are careful in the busy seasons to stay off the roads on weekend change-day mornings as vacationers are leaving and arriving. And although there's no public transit in Rosemary Beach, locals bike or walk most everywhere. For travel outside the area, the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport is within a 20-mile drive.
Starlight Ballet, Flutterby Arts Festival and holiday market
"We're always getting together for charity fundraisers, wine auctions, all sorts of celebrations," says Felton. "And you do see celebrities here, country music singers, Emeril Lagasse. But no one makes a big deal. Even famous people can live a relaxed, comfortable life here." Rosemary Beach residents look forward to the Northwest Florida Ballet Company's outdoor Starlight Ballet in June and the Flutterby Arts Festival in November, celebrating the monarch butterflies that touch down in Rosemary Beach during their annual migration. Every December, locals shop the multiday Holiday Market under the shady trees, perusing goods from over 80 bakers, makers and farmers.
