Seaside or Rosemary

I vote for Seaside - there's much more within walking/biking distance.

A family friend stayed at the Magnolias a year or so ago and it was very nice - new construction, nicely decorated, and she liked the pool because she swims every day, but there aren't as many shops, restaurants, etc. close by like in Seaside (and it's a walk/bike to get TO Rosemary from there).

A caveat - just because the rental company says something is in or by a certain neighborhood, doesn't mean it is! Quite a bit of license gets taken IMO, so google map the address to see just how "short" the walk to the beach really is and where it REALLY is in relation to Seaside or Rosemary. :wave:

That is exactly what I wanted to know! Thanks so much. It is funny, by the shape of the pool I can google by aerial view and find the communities that way. The Seaside location is not too far and the owner did say it was walking distance to some great restaurants.

Hello beach friends!

I have the opportunity to stay near Seaside or Rosemary beach. The rental near Seaside is small but very inexpensive (Bella Bungalows). The near Rosemary is larger, $200 more(www.vacationbythebeach.com Magnolia's). Both are close to the beach. Which one should I choose? I have never been to Rosemary and I know Seaside is great.

My husband and I are going with another couple so we want to be sure we have lots of options walking/biking distance. Bot prices are good so it is up to what would be a better location.:confused:

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

I prefer Seaside over Rosemary, but I'm sure others may disagree.

If your wanting to park and then bike everywhere I would definitely go with Seaside. Rosemary is very nice, but if your wanting to do anything else on 30A it's most likely going to be a drive.

:welcome:

If your wanting to park and then bike everywhere I would definitely go with Seaside. Rosemary is very nice, but if your wanting to do anything else on 30A it's most likely going to be a drive.

:welcome:

I agree. I actually prefer Rosemary over Seaside just in terms of the "neighborhood" itself, but I like to use my car as little as possible when in Sowal, and when we stayed in Rosemary, we had to use the car a lot because of the location at the far end of 30A.

Ditto for Seaside since there is so much more to do there and close by. Also, Watercolor is right next to Seaside with its own restraunts, trails, gardens,activities, etc.. The new pulic access between Seaside and WC is also great since it is one of the full service ones with lots of parking and lifeguards.

From personal experience I prefer Rosemary over Seaside. Seaside is too crowded and is too noisy for us. Rosemary is quieter, yet has a lot of amenities, not to mention the beautiful homes to drool over.

But given a choice between being near Rosemary versus near Seaside, I much prefer being near Seaside. That's why we built in a small neighborhood in Seagrove. Our neighborhood is central to Highway 30A so it's an easy bike ride to Seaside or Grayton, not too far of a drive to Rosemary (actually I've run from our house to Rosemary and back), and yet not congested (we're not by the 395/30A intersection -- we're east of that).

I vote Seaside. Do know I have never stayed in Rosemary Beach...I find the architecture cool, but too cramped for my taste. We vacationed in Seaside for 12 years before buying a place in WaterColor

I vote Seaside. Do know I have never stayed in Rosemary Beach...I find the architecture cool, but too cramped for my taste. We vacationed in Seaside for 12 years before buying a place in WaterColor

We've probably stayed in Rosemary a few dozen times while we were building in Seagrove. We loved it! Didn't like staying in Seaside. Rosemary is a fabulous place for a non-owner, but unless you are first/second/third row, it would be a bit cramped for me as a potential permanent resident. Still Rosemary is preferable to me of the two developments with regard to the chaos of Seaside.

EDIT: Actually, on second thought, generally it doesn't seem more cramped to me than Seaside, although a few areas are a bit closed in due to the size of the homes. Plus, even north of 30A it's not a bad walk to the beach.

EDIT: Actually, on second thought, generally it doesn't seem more cramped to me than Seaside, although a few areas are a bit closed in due to the size of the homes. Plus, even north of 30A it's not a bad walk to the beach.

I think it may seem more cramped when you are going down the streets because the houses often have the cool courtyards -- but it gives you a nice outdoor private area!!

Our place is close to Rosemary and we rarely get in our car. (Maybe once to go to the grocery store.) But we enjoy the shops and restaurants in Rosemary. And now we have some great restaurant choices in Alys too! I think it's all what you are use to!

Just to be specific-

Bella Bungalow is a unit at the "Bungalows at Seagrove" which is about a mile from Seaside. Close enough to bike, but I wouldn't want to walk it repeatedly unless the exercise is important to you.

Likewise, I think the other unit is in Magnolia cottages, which is also about a mile from Rosemary.

Both are fine places, but neither is IN Seaside or Rosemary, and much of the discussion about relative convenience of the two is a little bit moot, given that you aren't going to want to clean up for dinner and then walk a mile to get it.

At the Bungalows, you're right at the Tom Thumb, which is the third social hub of 30A, after Red Bar and Bud and Alley's. :rolling:

Seriously, from the Bungalows you can easily walk to Cafe 30A and Angelina's. The only thing a short walk from Magnolia is the beach, but Fonville Press and George's in Alys Beach aren't far.

We stayed in magnolia last year. I would not consider it close to rosemary necessarily. I am pretty sure we rented from the same people on the website you linked although the site is different now. We found our cottage dirty, sofa stained, and they really didn't seem to care. My 8 year old would not even sit on the sofa all week. However, it was a nice home, w/ a great price. One more thing to consider is the construction.....not sure if it has resumed at the entrance or not. Also the stairs to the beach are fairly steep and narrow. Important if you have a child in tow.

Ditto for Seaside since there is so much more to do there and close by. Also, Watercolor is right next to Seaside with its own restraunts, trails, gardens,activities, etc.. The new pulic access between Seaside and WC is also great since it is one of the full service ones with lots of parking and lifeguards.

Are those lifeguards provided by WaterColor or Seaside? I only ask since the TDC does not have lifeguards at this location.

The new pulic access between Seaside and WC is also great since it is one of the full service ones with lots of parking and lifeguards.

Are those lifeguards provided by WaterColor or Seaside? I only ask since the TDC does not have lifeguards at this location.

Are you sure? ;-)

http://beachesofsouthwalton.com/OpenAccessesLifeguards.pdf

They are SWFD lifeguards that are paid for by the TDC.

Are you sure? ;-)

http://beachesofsouthwalton.com/OpenAccessesLifeguards.pdf

They are SWFD lifeguards that are paid for by the TDC.

Okay, that's news to me.

Okay, that's news to me.

Just started this year with the opening of the new restroom.

Just started this year with the opening of the new restroom.

Okay, wasn't sure if it was going to start this year or next. Thanks.

They are at the Van Ness Butler access and also Blue Mountain Beach access as well.

Thanks again everyone. This is all excellent information. I am sure I will be posting more questions about what to do before our trip in September!:chill: