Perfect In South Walton 2025 Award Winners Offer Great Options for 30A Vacations

The Walton County Tourism Department unveiled the winners of the 2025 Perfect in Walton County Awards highlighting the community’s favorite tourism-related businesses, services and organizations.

This year, more than 6,000 votes were cast across 30 categories to determine the best in dining, entertainment, shopping and more throughout Walton County. The 2025 Perfect in Walton County guide features Diamond, Platinum and Gold, in each category. Here are a few highlights to help direct your dining, shopping and activity "wish list" for your next 30A beach vacation.

ACTIVITIES

BEST ART GALLERY/STUDIO

DIAMOND: The Shard Shop, Grayton Beach 

PLATINUM: The Blue Giraffe, Inlet Beach 

GOLD: Justin Gaffrey Gallery, Blue Mountain Beach*

*Less a mile from Sanctuary at Redfish; Pictured above.

 

BEST EVENT

DIAMOND: 30A Songwriters Festival (January)

PLATINUM: Digital Graffiti (May) @ Alys Beach  

GOLD: Tequilla & Taco Fest (May) @ Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort

 

BEST GOLF COURSE

DIAMOND: Camp Creek Golf Club  

PLATINUM: Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club 

GOLD: Burnt Pine Golf Club

 

BEST KIDS ATTRACTION

DIAMOND: Wild Sea Turtle Wednesday with South Walton Turtle Watch

PLATINUM: The Village of Baytowne Wharf

GOLD: The Big Chill 30A

 

BEST NATURE LOCALE

DIAMOND: Grayton Beach State Park

PLATINUM: Eden Gardens State Park

GOLD: Topsail Hill Preserve State Park

 

BEST RETAILER

DIAMOND: Street Legal Golf Carts

PLATINUM: Lola's on 30A

GOLD: WaterColor Store

 

BEST SHOPPING AREA

DIAMOND: Grand Boulevard

PLATINUM: Seaside

GOLD: Rosemary Beach

 

BEST TENNIS FACILITY

DIAMOND: WaterColor Tennis by MatchPoint Resorts

PLATINUM: Sandestin Tennis Center

GOLD: Camp Creek Inn

 

BEST BEACH/EVENT SERVICES PROVIDER

DIAMOND: La Dolce Vita

PLATINUM: 30A Blaze Beach Bonfires

GOLD: South Walton Beach Chair Guys

 

BEST FISHING CHARTER

DIAMOND: Reel 30A

PLATINUM: Ranger Angler Fishing Charters

GOLD: Florida Boy Adventures

 

BEST LOCAL MUSICIAN/BAND

DIAMOND: Jared Herzog

PLATINUM: The Pickled Pickers

GOLD: Dion Jones & The Neon Tears

 

BEST OUTDOOR ADVENTURE ACTIVITY

DIAMOND: 30A Blaze Beach Bonfires 

PLATINUM: YOLO Board

GOLD: South Walton Beach Chair Guys

 

BEST LIVE MUSIC VENUE

DIAMOND: The Red Bar

PLATINUM: North Beach Social

GOLD: AJ’s Grayton Beach

 

DINING

BEST BREAKFAST

DIAMOND: The Donut Hole

PLATINUM: Black Bear Bread Co.

GOLD: Crackings

 

BEST CASUAL DINING

DIAMOND: Shunk Gulley Oyster Bar

PLATINUM: The Bay

GOLD: South of Philly 30A

 

BEST COFFEE HOUSE

DIAMOND: Black Bear Bread Co.

PLATINUM: Bad Ass Coffee

GOLD: Amavida Coffee Roasters

 

BEST CRAFT BEER/SPIRITS SELECTION

DIAMOND: Idyll Hounds Brewing Company

PLATINUM: Growler Garage 30A

GOLD: The Craft Bar

 

BEST FINE DINING

DIAMOND: Café Thirty-A

PLATINUM: Ambrosia Prime Seafood & Steaks

GOLD: The Citizen

 

BEST HAPPY HOUR

DIAMOND: Amici 30A Italian Kitchen

PLATINUM: Hurricane Oyster Bar & Grill

GOLD: The Wine Bar

 

BEST LUNCH

DIAMOND: South of Philly 30A

PLATINUM: Chanticleer Eatery

GOLD: George's at Alys Beach

 

BEST PERSONAL CHEF/CATERING SERVICE

DIAMOND: Swiftly Catered

PLATINUM: Blue Magnolia Catering

GOLD: Grayze Provisions

 

BEST SWEET TREATS

DIAMOND: Blue Mountain Beach Creamery

PLATINUM: Blue Mountain Bakery

GOLD: Pecan Jacks Ice Creamery & Candy Kitchen

 

BEST WINE SELECTION

DIAMOND: Wine World/Wine Bar

PLATINUM: Ambrosia Prime Seafood & Steaks

GOLD: Vin’tij Food & Wine

 

Plan Your Next 30A Escape

A beach vacation to South Walton and the towns of 30A is always a great idea and with the above list to inspire your itinerary, you’ll want to plan your next 30A escape sooner than later. Check out our premier vacation rentals at Sanctuary at Redfish online as well as our full collection of vacation rentals here or call one of our friendly, local vacation specialists at 850-837-1071. Remember to always book direct for our best rate guarantee.

See you @ the beach!

 

Published on Monday, February 24, 2025