30A Spring Break Secrets: 8 Things Guidebooks Don’t Tell You
If you own property in the pristine 30A stretch of the Florida panhandle, you know Spring Break is a time of the year rife with opportunities. To start, you might simply want to take advantage of the good weather and time off to enjoy the area’s beaches, parks, and activities. Or you might also want to leverage the rush of families and students to maximize the value of your property.
To help you answer the question of when is Spring Break in Florida, we’ve compiled a list of the key dates and activities, as well as insider tips you won’t find in a guidebook.
Not familiar with 30A? It’s an idyllic stretch along the Gulf Coast of Florida that encompasses Dune Allen Beach, Santa Rosa Beach, Blue Mountain Beach, Grayton Beach, Watercolor, Seaside, Seagrove Beach, WaterSound Beach, Seacrest Beach, Alys Beach, Rosemary Beach and Inlet Beach. It’s an area that’s a hotbed for beaches, live music, shopping, dining, biking, golfing, fishing, parks, state forests, dune preserves, and more.
1. March 11th to 15th will likely be the busiest week of Spring Break
30A Spring Break has a different vibe than vacationing in the winter. We all know that the area can be chaotic from March to May. But there’s a good chance the peak of the craziness will be during the week of March 11th to March 15th. This is the week with the most schools on Spring Break simultaneously, according to a schedule compiled by 30A.com.
In total, 26 public school districts, county colleges, and major universities are off this week — including major universities like the University of Tennessee, Emory University, and Ohio State University.
If you’re in the area this week, know that Spring Breakers will be in town, and you might want to avoid the busy Dogwood Beach area (more on that in a minute).
You can expect a more family-friendly surge of guests during the week of April 1st, as that’s when Hamilton County is off. The same goes for the week of April 15th, when Mobile County Public Schools are off.
2. The Walton Police are cracking down on partying
If you’ve been in 30A during Spring Break, you know that some weeks are so busy that they’ve been given names like “Houston Week” or “Atlanta Week.” Well, the Walton PD is well aware, and they’re doubling down to make sure things stay at least a little bit sane.
Starting March 1st, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office plans to increase patrols by 110% on 30A and Walton County beach areas. If necessary, they might even shut down all of Dogwood Beach – although, hopefully, it doesn’t come to this.
Here’s what a spokesperson from the Sheriff’s Office had to say: “We have a plan in order to deal with Dogwood Beach access that includes shutting it down if we need to. If that’s what it takes in order to keep that area safe and free of unruly people, then that’s what we’ll do.” A focus this year is the Dogwood Beach access near Seagrove and Seaside.
So, if you’re in the area during Spring break weeks, you’ll likely see an increased police presence. Again, it might also be a good idea to steer clear of Dogwood Beach.
3. Prioritize safety during Spring Break (from the Walton County Sheriff’s Office)
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office also issued three tips you can use to prioritize safety during Spring Break in 30A:
Lock all your doors: This goes for houses, cars, and even golf carts (if they have doors). It sounds like common sense, but more than 99% of Walton County vehicle burglaries result from unlocked cars.
Show extra caution while driving during peak hours: The streets get busy, and, unfortunately, drunk drivers may be out on the road. Be mindful of the area and practice defensive driving.
Don’t drink under 21: This tip requires no extra commentary!
4. Are all beaches public access?
Not anymore.
30A’s beaches used to all be customary use, meaning that all beaches were open to the public even if they were in front of private property. But that’s no longer the case. As it currently stands, property owners have a right to kick you off their beachfront property if they want. But luckily, the Walton PD is adamant that they will not arrest anyone for trespassing.
Still, you can’t technically relax on beaches in front of private property. There’s a good chance that you’ll get away with it as long as you’re respectful. But some families might prefer to visit a public beach to avoid a potentially embarrassing scene.
Luckily, South Walton has over 50 public beach access points, including eight Regional Public Beach Accesses complete with parking, restroom facilities, and lifeguards. Make sure to be mindful of the beach flag colors.
5. Does 30A have a curfew?
No.
Despite the partying and enhanced police presence, Walton does not have a curfew. It could change over the coming weeks, depending on the size of the party crowds. But when it’s Spring Break in Florida, it’s perfectly legal to enjoy a midnight stroll.
6. Sandestin Wine Festival: April 11th to 14th
In terms of major events that are coming to 30A Spring Break, the Sandestin Wine Festival will be happening from April 11th to 14th. It’s a four-day event that features over 600 wines and takes place at the Village of Baytowne Wharf.
The Sandestin Wine Festival might be the perfect event if you’re looking to enjoy sophisticated beverages in a more classy environment.
7. South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival: April 25th to 28th
Another major event coming up is the South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival, which goes from April 25th to 28th. The festival features dozens of celebrity winemakers, distillers, chefs, and mixologists who come together to wine, dine, and entertain guests.
You can take it all in up and down Grand Boulevard.
8. The Seabreeze Jazz Fest: April 24th to 28th
Finally, the Seabreeze Jazz Festival is another staple event of the Spring that features popular jazz musicians from around the country. This year, the four-day jazz festival is being headlined by Kool & the Gang.
Even though main stage tickets are already sold out, guests can still go and see supporting acts or enjoy the amiable atmosphere.
And if you’re looking for a company that can get the most value out of your 30A home during Spring Break and throughout the year, contact Embark 850 to learn about our property management services.