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There\u2019s a gorgeous sameness about the beaches of the Emerald Coast\u2014just one mile after another of soft quartz sand running alongside an aquamarine shoreline that appears aglow, lit from within. The communities that populate this realm, however, are a different matter altogether. All they have in common is their distinctiveness from one another. From east to west, we\u2019ll be highlighting the eleven independent townships that together comprise what the world now recognizes as 30A.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”custom” el_width=”50″ accent_color=”#f15a24″ css=”.vc_custom_1588610951712{padding-bottom: 5% !important;}”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”19148″ img_size=”400×400″ alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline_circle_2″ css_animation=”fadeIn”][vc_separator color=”custom” el_width=”10″ accent_color=”#f15a24″ css=”.vc_custom_1588610944039{margin-top: 0px !important;padding-top: 5% !important;}”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n Time seems to stand still in this community at the far western end of 30A. Officially established in 1946, Dune Allen was one of the first communities in the area and was widely known as the “local’s beach.” Neighboring Blue Mountain Beach on 30A\u2019s Western-most end is Dune Allen, a place where lakes and beaches unite. The three-and-a-half-mile stretch delivers scenic views of the Gulf and is home to three of the area’s coastal dune lakes. Coastal dune lakes are a geographical rarity\u2013\u2013an ecosystem found in only a handful of places worldwide, including South Walton. Dune Allen alone is home to 3 of the area\u2019s coastal dune lakes: Lake Allen, Stallworth Lake, and Oyster Lake. These waterways have the highest occurrences of rare wildlife species in the state. These rare brackish bodies of water have been around for nearly 10,000 years and are home to both saltwater and freshwater fish, including flounder, redfish, catfish, and trout. Both nature lovers and photographers alike will appreciate the wildlife and spectacular sunsets. <\/span><\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”19146″ img_size=”400×400″ alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline_circle_2″ css_animation=”fadeIn”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”19147″ img_size=”400×400″ alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline_circle_2″ css_animation=”fadeIn”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n In addition, Topsail Hill State Preserve has access to wonderful trails and dunes for a day of hiking and sightseeing. With its 15 miles of hiking trails, it’s easy to spend a whole day exploring the area. Many of the boutiques, restaurants, and artisan markets offer a welcoming, come-as-you-are atmosphere, including Stinky’s Fish Camp (don\u2019t be fooled by its name), Vue on 30A, Shunk Gulley, and Kith + Kin Coffee. If you’re a runner, Gulf Place marks the start and finish of the 30A Half Marathon + 5K. There’s plenty of entertainment to offer the kids and adults, day or night.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”19145″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” css_animation=”fadeIn”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n t\u2019s perhaps the last beach on 30A that has remained mostly untouched since its beginnings in the 1940s. Visitors will notice the casual, laidback feel with a hidden gem of some of the most beautiful stretches of beach on the entire Emerald Coast. Dune Allen is also just a short car ride to Miramar Beach and Destin.<\/span><\/p>\n Dune Allen Beach is the destination of choice for those who want to relax and get away from it all. <\/span><\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Explore Dune Allen” style=”custom” custom_background=”#f15a26″ custom_text=”#ffffff” shape=”square” size=”lg” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.360blue.com%2Frentals%2Fcommunities%2Fdune-allen%2F|||”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Officially established in 1946, Dune Allen was one of the first communities in the area and was widely known as the “local’s beach.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":19144,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":""},"categories":[26,27],"tags":[],"post_folder":[],"yoast_head":"\nStay tuned for future additions of our community tour along 30A, where we\u2019ll highlight a different community in feature articles. <\/span><\/h5>\n