Travel

How to Get Here

If traveling by air, the closest airports are Fort Walton Beach, FL (also sometimes called Valparaiso or Okaloosa Regional) VPS and Panama City, FL (PFN). If you're staying on the east end of 30A, PFN is closest. If staying on the west end of 30A, VPS is closest. Sometimes the best airfares can be found by flying into Pensacola (PNS) which is about 1.5-2 hours to the west.

If traveling by automobile, check out MapQuest.

On the morning of the race, to avoid the closed roads, we advise that you come into Seaside from the East side, by coming down 395 (from 98) to 30A. In addition to the parking in Seaside and adjacent to Seaside, there will be a shuttle provided from an offsite parking area.

Where To Stay

The month of March is a particularly busy month for visitors in northwest Florida because it marks the beginning of Spring Break. Please remember to book your accommodations early in order to guarantee that you will have a place to stay for the race!

Cottage Rental Agency – In Seaside
(800) 277-8696
Stay in the award-winning, holiday town of Seaside, the most convenient location to the race start/finish line. Some restrictions apply. 20% Discount applies to half-marathon guests. A two night minimum reservation is required.
www.cottagerentalagency.com

Sunburst Beach Vacations
866-310-5718.
Offers accommodations along Scenic HW 30-A, many within walking distance of the starting/finish line for the Seaside Half Marathon. Our properties include Gulf front beach homes, condominiums and Gulf view homes with private pools within several unique beach communities. We are a small locally owned company with intimate knowledge of our area, and we can provide professional, friendly advice to create the perfect beach vacation to fit your needs.
For all Seaside Half Marathon runners we are offering a special of a free night stay in any of our homes. This offer is good with a minimum of 2 paid nights and is good thru March 6, 2009.
www.sunburstbeachvacations.com

Carillon Beach Inn
866-668-7803.
10% discount to race participants. Nightly rentals available in luxurious hotel-suites. Magnificent resort pool overlooks Lake Carillon and the Gulf of Mexico. This pristine waterfront community has access to 3900 feet of white sandy beaches, tennis, 4 pools, restaurants, and shopping.
www.carillonbeachresort.com

Watercolor Inn and Rental Accommodations
On race course, approximately 1/2 mile west of Seaside on Hwy. 30-A
Whether you want to get away to a chic residence with a view of the Gulf, a charming coastal cottage, or a well-appointed village home, you'll find a delightful selection of accommodations throughout the entire resort. If a hotel is what you're looking for, the Watercolor Inn combines the warmth and hospitality associated with traditional Southern grand hotels, the intimacy of bed-and-breakfast inns and the charm of classic beach houses.
866-426-2656
www.watercolorinn.com
www.watercolorvacations.com

Beach Rentals of South Walton, Inc.
(featuring properties all along Hwy. 30-A in South Walton)
5417 E. Co. Hwy 30-A, Seagrove Beach, Fl 32459
888-541-0801
Accommodations for an individual or for a group all along the Marathon route. All condos, cottages and houses are fully-equipped with everything you need to feel right at home. Guaranteed stress-free and relaxing.
Two-night minimum required plus cleaning fee or Three-nights with no cleaning fee.
www.beachrentalsofsouthwalton.com

The Inn at Gulf Place
On race course (at Half Marathon turn-around point), approximately 6.5 miles west of Seaside on 30-A.
90 Spires Lane (Intersection of Hwy. 30-A & Hwy. 393}, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
1-800-336-4853
Luxurious one bedroom, studio and hotel units on Scenic 30A in the Gulf Place Town Center. Full kitchens in one bedroom units, kitchenettes in Studios, and small refrigerator in hotel units.
www.resortquest.com/VRP/REGIONS/NORTHWESTFLORIDA

Dolphin Developers
Property Management and Vacation Rental Specialists on the Scenic 30-A Corridor.
Experience extraordinary comfort & hospitality at the beach!
Call 850-622-0388
OR visit www.dolphindevelopers.com - click on "Vacation Rentals" for virtual tours and availability of condos, homes & beach cottages all along the Race Course. Late check-out available!

Grayton Beach State Recreation Area
On race course, approximately 2 miles west of Seaside on Hwy. 30-A
(850)231-4210 for information
(800)326-3521 for reservations
On the beach. Rent campsites for tents and RVs, or rent a fully furnished and equipped 2 bedroom cabin.
www.floridastateparks.org

Hibiscus House
On race course, approximately 2.5 miles west of Seaside in Grayton
85 DeFuniak St., Grayton Beach, FL 32459
850-231-2733
Hibiscus House is an old fashioned, romantic getaway with that old Florida style located in the quaint village of Grayton Beach. Pet friendly. 15% discount. Two night minimum.
www.hibiscusflorida.com

Adagio Condominiums
On race course, approximately 4.5 miles west of Seaside on Hwy. 30-A
2421 W. Hwy. 30-A, Blue Mountain Beach, FL 32459
850-832-7274 or 850-622-2052
Be the first to stay at these newly-constructed high-end luxury condominiums on the Gulf. All Available units are 4 bedroom, 3 bath, gulf-front units. Great for groups, sleeps 10 - 12. Heated pool on Gulf.
www.adagiogulfrentals.com

A Highlands House
On race course, approximately 5.5 miles west of Seaside on Hwy. 30-A
4193 W Hwy. 30-A, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
850-267-0110
A charming escape and a fabulous vacation. Wonderful full breakfast. 100 feet from beach.
www.ahighlandshousebbinn.com

Sugar Beach Inn
Approximately 1.5 miles east of Seaside on Hwy. 30-A
3501 E. Co. Hwy. 30-A, Seagrove Beach, FL 32459
850-231-1577
A Victorian-style home with 5 charming guest rooms. Located 150 yards from the Gulf. Two night minimum requirement.
www.sugarbeachinn.com

One Seagrove Place
Approximately 2 miles east of Seaside on Hwy. 30-A
4100 E. Hwy. 30-A, Seagrove Beach, FL 32459
1-800-368-9100
Watch fantastic sunsets from the balcony of your luxurious 2 Bdrm/2 Bath beach-front condo. Heated pool, tennis & sauna. 21 stories. Two night minimum stay at the three night rate of $184.00 per night.
www.oneseagroveplace.com

Hidden Beach Villas
Approximately 3 miles east of Seaside on Hwy. 30-A
3605 E. Co. Hwy. 30-A, Seagrove Beach, FL 32459
1-800-933-3331
Studio apartments have private patios that open to the courtyard, and second floor balconies that overlook the 20' x 40' pool, the cabana and the barbecue area. Across Hwy. 30-A from beach access boardwalk.
www.hiddenbeachvillas.com

The Pensione in Rosemary Beach
Approximately 8 miles east of Seaside on Hwy. 30-A in Rosemary Beach
78 Main Street, Rosemary Beach, FL 32461
1-800-277-8696
European-style bed and breakfast featuring 8 Gulf-view rooms, each with private baths.
www.cottagerentalagency.com

Coastal Properties Private Retreats
Representing properties all along Scenic Hwy. 30-A
1-800-710-9893, ask for Jessica James
This rental management firm is dedicated to offering luxury vacation rental properties located in Rosemary Beach, Destin, Watercolor, Seaside, Carillon Beach, Seacrest Beach, and all along the Beaches of South Walton, including homes, condos, studio efficiencies, and bed & breakfasts.
www.flprivateretreats.com

Sandestin Resort
Approximately 15 Miles west of Seaside of Hwy. 98
9300 Hwy 98 W, Sandestin, FL 32550
1-800-320-8115
Call us toll free and reserve your reservation today.
www.sandestin.com

Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa
Approximately 15 miles west of Seaside off Hwy. 98
4000 Sandestin Blvd., South
Destin, FL 32550
850-267-9500 or 800-367-1271
Boasting a heated indoor pool, two outdoor pools, two whirlpools, private beach, a full service spa, salon and fitness center, and the finest dining options, the Sandestin Hilton is one of Northwest Florida's premier luxury Gulf-front resorts.
www.sandestinbeachhilton.com

Ramada Inn
Approximately 17 miles west of Seaside off Hwy. 98
39 Scenic Gulf Drive (Old Hwy. 98 - across from Winn Dixie, near Silver Sands), Destin, FL 32550
850-837-2378
Rate: $95.00 per night. No minimum stay required. Rooms have microwave / minifridge and include continental breakfast.

Sleep Inn
Approximately 17 miles west of Seaside off Hwy. 98
10775 US HWY 98 (across from Silver Sands Factory Stores and behind Burger King)
850-654-7022
Free continental breakfast. Free high speed internet. Comprehensive business center. Microwave/mini refrigerator. No minimum night stay requirement.

Holiday Inn Express
Approximately 21 miles west of Seaside off Hwy. 98
108 Hutchinson St. (behind Outback Steak House at the Mid-Bay Bridge intersection)
Destin, Fl 32501
850-654-9383

Where To Eat

Click Here to get a list of restaurants in the area. These restaurants have given generously to the race.

Weather

It's always a picture perfect day in Seaside, with perfect running weather! But for those of you who insist on trying to predict Mother Nature, we have compiled the following information:

Click Here For Current Raceday Forecast

Temperature: The weather in early March is somewhat unpredictable, but the average high is about 69/70 and the average low is about 51/52. Over the past 10 years, it has been as hot as 78 and as cold as 35 on March 5th.

Rain: It might rain, it might not. March isn't the rainiest month of the year, but it's not the driest month either. (Three years ago it poured during packet pick-up on the Saturday evening before the race; however, we had nice race weather the next day.)

Water Temperature: Except for snowbirds and college spring-breakers, most folks find that the Gulf is still too cool for swimming.