Nashville Lifestyles - Coastal Influence

Nashville Lifestyles - March 2017

Coastal Influence by Erin Byers Murray

As we swing into prime beach season, here's a look at all that's new plus the tried and true, along Florida's 30A--also known as Nashville's Beach. 

Until recently, I was probably one of a very small minority of Nashvillians who had not been to 30A, the 28-mile stretch of Florida coastline that meanders down a short length of the Panhandle. With as many as 70,000 Middle Tennesseans traveling down to the area each year, it's safe to call 30A "Nashville's beach," especially considering that it's about 7 hours by car, or a quick direct flight into Destin-Fort Walton Beach or Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport. 

Direct, easy access to this sliver of paradise means you can take quick advantage of its famously white, sugar-sand beaches, state preserves, recreational areas, shopping, entertainment, and of course, its range of resort options. (Along the 16-community corridor, you'll find it all, from super-casual surfside enclaves to posh private dwellings.)

For me, a die-hard lover of all forms of food and wine, this time of year is a key period to visit, thanks to the area's growing number of food and wine festivals--there seems to be a food-focused event every weekend between now and Memorial Day. What's more: The crowds are smaller this time of year, yet businesses are open and bustling--meaning, you can take full advantage of the best that 30A has to offer. 

Stay

Whether this is your first visit or you've been coming to 30A so often that you know every nook and cranny, there's always something new to explore. Since there are just a few hotels along the strip (we recommend the stunning WaterColor Inn or The Pearl Hotel near Alys Beach), most Nashvillians opt to rent a condo or house.

Through Newman-Dailey Resort Properties, you can book a two- or three-bedroom condo at Sanctuary at Redfish, a multi-unit retreat set along Big Redfish Lake. Each of the 64-units has access to a resort-like, multi-level pool and its poolside cabanas, as well as the lake for kayaking. To get ot the beach, hop on a five-minute ride via pontoon boat, tendered by the resort's resident celebrity, Captain Bob. 

This time of year, it's a quiet escape, meaning you'll probably have the two Jacuzzi's and large fire pit mostly to yourselves. Or sink into your condo's oversized couch cushions, throw in a movie, and turn up the surround sound. There are balconies on each unit offering comfortable reading nooks, too.  All N-D rentals also have access to the management company's well-crafted app, which has a wealth of good info, from check-in instructions to map-based recommendations for thigs to see and do, as well as a gift card that includes free admission to area attractions and movie rentals.

To continue reading the full article from the March 2017 issue of Nashville Lifestyles click here.