By the sea: a once-in-a-lifetime experience

Seaside is legendary. And not because of the impact that she has had on others, but because of the way she has impacted my life, personally. Of course, I’m not the only person who has been drawn to Seaside, Florida. Before giving my account, I will point out a few others.

Time magazine commented on Seaside’s architectural aspects, “the most outstanding design achievement of its era…” Seaside’s New Urbanism movement is often considered the first of its kind. Lots of boosts can be given to Seaside from many sources, but I’ll mostly stick to its effect on me.

Several years ago I was at a stage in my life where I needed a change. I had friends who lived in Sandestin Florida who wanted to take me to 30A. I was not familiar with the area, but once I visited it, I was fascinated.

Seaside was our destination along beautiful Highway 30A. We parked near the Seaside Post Office in the amphitheater. The beautiful architectural aspects of the Seaside community were immediately impressive. The Seaside community served as the backdrop for Jim Carey’s film The Truman Show, but its impressiveness was even more apparent in the flesh.

At Seaside, we first directed our efforts at a place called Bud and Alley’s. The Seaside property has a restaurant on the ground floor and what is called The Tarpon Club on the top floor. A Seaside view obtained here is a magnificent and glorious encounter with life, I assure you. You can look outside and discover where Seaside meets the emerald waters of the gulf and fluffy white sand. You can also look back at the Seaside town center and fall in love from your point of view there.

Another place to get a great view of Seaside is from the second floor of the Sundog Bookstore, located in downtown Seaside. From here you overlook the amphitheater, post office and Seaside shops. The Seaside town center at the amphitheater is where a free summer concert series takes place. Kids love the bowl shaped grounds and it somehow seems to bring people together. Seaside is truly a special place.

Modica Market in downtown Seaside offers something to eat along with spices and other groceries on a limited basis. It has the feel of a bygone era, like many places in Seaside. Art galleries exist within Seaside’s glorious grounds along with other shops, and a stroll through the area is memorable.

But where my kids invariably want to congregate at Seaside is in a little old Airstream camper affectionately named Frost Bites. It serves cold snowballs in a multitude of flavors and is parked just off the road at Seaside. Seaside recently planted a large number of oak trees surrounding the amphitheater and street that will provide shade for years to come.

Seaside, to me, is like the soul of Highway 30A. Seaside is located almost in the center of magnificent 30A. Seaside has a walking and biking trail running through it and along Highway 30A, providing a perfect place to exercise and take in spectacular views.

One Seaside landmark that is sure to catch your eye is a towering white structure near the beach. Walking through and under this tower at Seaside will take you to the stunning white sand beaches that make Seaside and South Walton such a treasured location.

If you’ve never been to Seaside, do yourself a favor. The location by the sea will make you feel in love for the first time.