Emerald Coast
Known for its clear, emerald-green waters and soft white sands, the Emerald Coast is a 100-mile stretch of Gulf Coast shoreline in the Panhandle. The area is also dotted with soft white sand dunes often called “Florida snow.” Food is a big part of life here, and you’ll find many piers that not only connect you to restaurants, bars and shops, but you can pick up a fishing pole yourself, take a charter, rent a bike or just watch the sunset. The Navarre Beach pier’s claim to fame? It’s Florida’s longest fishing pier, at 1,545 feet.
Visit some of the sites from “The Truman Show” on a visit to Seaside, then give your taste buds a treat at Airstream Row. ©The Seaside Style
Orlando magazine’s dedicated editorial team is taking the guesswork out of your next coastal trip! Check out these important facts:
☀ BOUNDED BY: Bay, Walton, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Escambia.
⚑ COUNTIES: Bay, Walton, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Escambia.
⚐ MAJOR CITIES/AREAS: Pensacola, Gulf Islands National Seashore, Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Seaside, Santa Rosa Beach, Point Washington, Panama City.
♜ HIGHLIGHTS: The Air Force Armament Museum (at Eglin Air Force Base), SS United States (the world’s largest artificial reef), Women Veterans Monuments (at Veterans Park).
☸ HIDDEN GEMS: Sunbathing, history, seafood.
☺ OVERALL VIBE: Tranquil and rejuvenating.
Visit some of the sites from “The Truman Show” on a visit to Seaside, then give your taste buds a treat at Airstream Row. ©The Seaside Style
Seaside
If there’s a reason Seaside looks familiar to you, thank the big screen. It appeared as Seahaven Island, Truman’s hometown (in actuality an enormous soundstage), in the 1998 movie, “The Truman Show.”
And while Seaside wasn’t built specifically for the movie, it was a master-planned community, one of the first in the United States to be built around the principles of New Urbanism, which aims to create walkable communities to promote resilience, health and happiness.
Photo by Roberto Gonzalez
Situated along scenic Highway 30A, Seaside is a short drive from the Emerald Coast’s larger cities, although there’s plenty of fun to be had in this community. The cast and crew of the movie accessed the beach via the Coleman Pavilion, and today it is still a public access point. This well-known landmark was visible in the film, as was the Tupelo Street Gazebo, another beach access point.
Want to do your shopping where Truman did? The Modica Market still stands proudly, as busy as ever. Snap a selfie in front of an official movie poster or with the famous leaning ladder in the background. And don’t miss Airstream Row, where gourmet offerings from vintage Airstream trailers can be had.
The arts are also alive and well in Seaside, at a handful of galleries and the Seaside Repertory Theater. There are even a few spas. Should you wish to stay overnight, you can stay in a boutique hotel or waterfront vacation rental.
Back to our guide to Florida from Coast to Coast 
