For the past decade my family has spent our summers in the pinnacle of a Southern Summer; Seaside, Florida. If you have never had the chance to visit this picturesque piece of Americana, think pastel colored family beach homes lined up on scenic coastal road 30A.
The main mode of transportation is a beach cruiser and family dogs roam the shore at sunset. Beautiful state parks, nature trails, and rare dune lakes encapsulate the town. The main attraction, however, is the Gulf of Mexico. The beaches have pure, white sand and clear, emerald green water. Little fish swim around and tickle your toes. As the first oppressive heat waves of summer roll into the South, “Redneck Riviera” vacationers dream of this continental oasis.
If you are like me and grew up braving the long road trips in the family SUV to the Florida panhandle, you know that Seaside has some quirks. If you grew up going to Seaside, Florida, these are some things that you will know to be true:
1. The Seaside t-shirt
Some of our mothers clad us in these comfort colors for family pictures from the time we were waddling around the beach in onesies. The “Seaside” font on the front has become famous, as well as the slogan on the back, “New town, Old ways.” And it’s still cool to wear back home, whether you are in 5th grade or a college graduate.
2. The underage “party” at the beach
Oh, good God. Imagine an otherwise deserted, pitch black shoreline littered with at least a hundred upper-middle class high schoolers. What’s worse, is that at one point I was one of them. Seaside between 9 and 11 PM is a “party.” One or two kids carry around Bluetooth speakers while others try to show off a couple beers or cigarettes they stole off their dad. Kids ages 14-17 have a lot of firsts at Seaside if you know what I mean.
3. Waiting in long lines for Frost Bites, The Melt Down, and Pickle’s (Practically) WORLD FAMOUS snow cones, hamburgers, and grilled cheeses served to you direct from 1960’s style air streams across the street from the beach.
Need I say more?
4. Bright blue “30A” stickers plastered on your family’s SUV
Seaside is crammed with SUV’s trying to find a parking place. These cars are the preferred mode of transportation to the Emerald Coast. Although each state below the Mason-Dixon is well represented by state license plates, each family truck has one thing in common: obnoxious, bright blue “30A” bumper stickers.
5. Running into people from your hometown
I have not had a single summer yet without running into someone from home or college. Some families own summer homes or vacation together. Others are the consequence of having the same summer spot as everyone else who says “y’all” unironically.
6. Country music on the beach
Well, this is the Redneck Riviera, after all. As you take a walk down the beach the twangy voices of Blake Shelton, The Zac Brown Band and Jimmy Buffett will follow you whether you like it or not.
7. Taking pictures in front of the purple wall
In Seaside there is an uncharacteristically bright purple cinderblock wall. It has always been a snapshot attraction but is used today to up one’s Insta-game. Did you even go to Seaside if you didn’t take a picture like this?
8. Getting excited when a celebrity is in town
Even the rich and the famous love Seaside, and many came here long before anyone knew their names. Luke Bryan’s beachfront house is a couple doors down from where my family likes to stay. Other notables include Miley Cyrus, Brad Paisley, Marco Rubio, Carrie Underwood, Jessica Simpson, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, Britney Spears, Tony Romo, Jason Witten (pictured) and many more.
9. The Fourth of July in Seaside
The Fourth isn’t just any holiday in Seaside, it’s the holiday. The beaches are packed full, the air smells like barbecue and some of the most spectacular fireworks displays are over the gulf. Seaside has special t-shirts, bumper stickers and other memorabilia they sell all summer promoting the Seaside Fourth of July extravaganza (a morning parade and concert on the lawn).
10. Having the best childhood memories, ever.
I love Seaside, and I don’t know anyone who hates it. Thousands of kids grow up on the white sand beaches of 30A’s beaches and cherish the family traditions that come along with that. From seashell hunts to card games and family dinners, Seaside is a second home. I can’t wait to give my own kids the summers of a lifetime one day in Seaside.
