Taking a Break From Spring Break

Rosemary Beach is Where the Locals Go to Get Away

By Fiama Mastrangelo • Photos courtesy of Rosemary Beach Cottage Rental Company

Spring Break on the Gulf Coast often elicits images of excessive partying, an increase in local traffic and an influx of litter on the beach. Our peaceful life on whitesand beaches and salty breezes can go from idyllic to irksome when the Spring Breakers roll into town. For the locals who have put their college party days far behind them, another type of Spring Break exists in Rosemary Beach. For families and locals seeking a peaceful retreat from the tourist season on the Gulf Coast, Rosemary Beach is the “it” destination— the town was quite literally built to be peaceful.

A key distinction between Rosemary Beach and other Spring Break destinations lies in the Walton County ordinances, which keep rowdy beachgoers under control. Walton County noise ordinances are particularly helpful in maintaining a peaceful environment. According to the ordinance, music and speakers are allowed on the beach, but the volume must be kept at a level to where it can not be heard from at least 100 feet away. For residential areas, noise disturbances that can be heard from a residential property line are also totally prohibited. For the vacationer who is looking for a full nights rest and wants to enjoy a cup of coffee while watching the sunrise, Rosemary Beach provides the perfect haven from the blasting music and inebriated partygoers.

In addition to the peace and tranquility found within Rosemary Beach, the community itself is heavily involved in building a wholesome coastal culture for locals and visitors alike. “The Merchants Association of Rosemary Beach hosts family-friendly activities such as concerts in the park, family movie nights, strolling musicians and theater performances to name a few,” Vice President of Rosemary Beach Cottage Rental Company, Kristen Moss said.

Visitors have a wide variety of luxury accommodations to choose from in Rosemary Beach. Local companies such as 360 Blue and Rosemary Beach Cottage Rental Company offer unique accommodations located in the heart of the Rosemary Beach community. Vacation rental company, 360 Blue, provides a wide variety of rental properties that can sleep anywhere from 2-20 guests. Rosemary Beach Cottage Rental Company specializes in carriage houses that accommodate 4-10

Rosemary Beach differs from other Gulf Coast destinations in a

multitude of ways. Our 107-acre community is walkable and bikeable with shaded boardwalks for guests to travel to and from the beach and pools. There are several pocket parks dotted throughout the community with features ranging from goldfish ponds and fountains to a Butterfly Garden with fresh herbs and seasonal flowers.

guests per rental. Both companies are rooted in the town’s immaculate design and center their rentals around Rosemary Beach’s tennis courts, communal pools and green spaces.

Rosemary Beach Cottage Rental Company, “is the exclusive on-site property management company for the Rosemary Beach community,” Moss said. The company offers a wide variety of amenities that are perfect for family vacations. “Guests who book through Rosemary Beach Cottage Rental Company enjoy exclusive complimentary court time at the Rosemary Beach Racquet Club, complimentary access to the Rosemary Beach Fitness Center and endless free DVD rentals,”Moss explained. Guests can also expect complimentary bike rentals, discounts to local businesses and access to four different pools located within Rosemary Beach.

Another local company, 30A Luxury Vacation Rentals, works exclusively with privately-owned luxury homes. Chris Gifford founded the company in 2013 and currently serves as the president of 30A Luxury Vacation Rentals. Gifford’s company manages more than 85 properties in 30A, with the majority of them being located in the Rosemary Beach community.

“Spring Break has always been a very popular couple of weeks down here… It’s always traditionally been a highly demanding week,” Gifford said. “One trend that we’ve seen over the past few years during COVID, is that we do have guests visiting our areas from nontraditional markets.”

Gifford noted that his company has been seeing guests come from all reaches of the country, including the Midwest, Northeast, and Southeastern regions. Families from Chicago, New Jersey and Texas flock to Rosemary Beach to find respite from colder temperatures and the rowdiness of more popular Spring Break destinations. “I mean Spring Break, fortunately, is really only geared towards families on 30A,” Gifford added.

Activities for visitors reflect this value. “Rosemary Beach differs from other Gulf Coast destinations in a multitude of ways,” Moss said. “Our 107-acre community is walkable and bikeable with shaded boardwalks for guests to travel to and from the beach and pools. There are several pocket parks dotted throughout the community with features ranging from goldfish ponds and fountains to a Butterfly Garden with fresh herbs and seasonal flowers,” she explained.

One particularly popular amenity for families is the ability to reserve a private beach bonfire. “We work hard to provide our clients a vacation and not just a property to rent,” Gifford said. “We try to do a good job to educate our clients about all the things you can do here on Spring Break that you’re probably not aware of. Bonfires are probably the number one thing.” During the peak months for Spring Break, Gifford notes, “It can still be a little chilly at night, so it’s awesome to get the whole family out and have a bonfire, roast some s’mores, and experience that on the coast.”

Take a well-deserved break from this year’s Spring Break madness and explore the tranquility that Rosemary Beach has to offer. •