The picturesque area of Seaside was founded in 1981. The houses in the area are characterized by Victorian-style pastel architecture and are surrounded by white picket fences. Wooden walkovers, crowned by fashionable gazebos at the dune crest, are indicative of the good taste and practicality of this planned development.
Each house in the community is positioned close together to encourage socialization and to permit room for a New England type commons where classical concerts are performed.
The Seaside area also rose to fame in the 1990′s as being the main filming location of the movie “The Truman Show” starring actor Jim Carrey. On April 18, 2012, the American Institute of Architects’s Florida Chapter placed the community on its list of Florida Architecture: 100 Years.
There are many activities and services available in the Seaside area. These include Seaside Tennis, The Studio, Beach Ready Spa, Rollands Beauty Bar & Art Gallery, Cabana Man, Seaside Visitor’s Bureau, 30A Radio, Surgical Care Affiliates, LLC., Seaside Transit Authority Bike Rentals, Earl Bacon Insurance Agency, Escape to Create, Florida Haus, Johnson Rice & Co., LLC, The Merchants of Seaside, The Seaside Institute, Seaside Interfaith Chapel, Seaside Swim & Tennis and the Seaside Repertory Theatre, a 75 seat theatre that produces everything from comedy to drama.
Golfers can pick from more than a dozen courses within an hour of the Seaside area. The closest being Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, which is about 20 miles to the west. The Sandestin Resort has four course to choose from; The Raven, The Links, Baytowne and Burnt Pines.
Many events are held each year in the areas. Events such as the Seeing Red Wine Festival, the Seaside Farmers Market and the Seaside Summer Concert Series at the Seaside Amphitheater,
Dining in the Seaside area includes Amavida,Barefoot BBQ,Bud & Alley’s, Bud & Alley’s Pizza Bar, Bud & Alley’s Taco Bar, Crush, Dawson’s Yogurt & Fudge Works, Frost Bites, Great Southern Cafe’ Heavenly, The MeltDown on 30A, Modica Market, Pickles Beachside Grill, Raw & Juicy, The Shrimp Shack, Wild Bill’s Beach Dogs and more.
The Seaside area is also the gateway to the white sands of the gulf coast and the cool inviting waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Spend a day on the beach and enjoy the sun and the sounds of the waves and the surf.
Also located in the Seaside area is the Grayton Beach State Recreational Area. The sugar-white sand and the emerald green water is perfectly clean and clear. Beautiful tidal lakes and freshwater ponds punctuate the natural landscape and yield ample fish.