located in santa rosa beach florida where walton county road 393 runs
straight into the sea is a colorfully eclectic community known as gulf place
in contrast to some of 30a's nearby planned communities
gulfplace has a more relaxed and organic feel about it thought out just enough to function
fully as a vibrant beach community but not so much that it feels forced
created around a sprawling grass amphitheater gulf place is undoubtedly one of 30a's
pet friendliest of places you'll find plenty of sidewalks here as well as park benches outdoor
dining spaces and even a local veterinarian should old spot suddenly be in need of a spot check
keep your eyes open for the playful sea turtle sculptures here which were commissioned by gulf
place to educate locals and guests alike about the importance of being good neighbors whether
those neighbors live on the sand or in the sea or both you won't find any big
box stores or chains here these are mom and pop operations including an assortment of restaurants
boutiques a tiny market a spirit store a bike shop and hey what do you know a 30a store
in the heart of gulf place are nine colorful shack-like stalls each containing unique
handmade artistic treasures this commune of co-opting talents collectively known as the
artists at gulfplace often host hands-on classes for adults and kids yearning to
express their creativity or possibly just to escape summer's in temp sun for a few minutes
a hop skip and jump across scenic highway 30a is ed walin beach access this park is one of
walton county's largest and easiest places to access the gulf of mexico
ed wallane offers public restrooms a covered area for picnics and for those sudden summer
downpours and it's wheelchair accessible quite literally right out onto the sand there's also
a lifeguard here on duty during the high season to help keep a watchful eye on the young ones
need a beach break just steps off the sand you'll find refreshing hand-crafted ice cream
sweet treats and growlers of craft beer as far as the eye can see
whether you call him chef or captain or just george this louisiana-born fishing
guide and restaurant tour has been here since gulf place was first built
right around the turn of the century george barnes opened smiling fish cafe a name that
still brings smiles to all the locals who remember his restaurant's delicious trademark
grouper tacos 2000 uh the first commercial space on 393 and 30a was available you know to have the
opportunity to find that little place where you know i could see the beach from the kitchen and i
could be a part of a neighborhood that was in the growing stages i could really you know recreate
that old new orleans neighborhood restaurant where everybody came in two or three times a week
and and you knew the people and got to know them and they became friends and and over 13 years
you know just was so grateful and blessed to have met so many wonderful people and been a part of
the community and its growth in particular the gulf place corridor and santa rosa beach you know
my slogan on the door was be nicer leave because you know i wanted to remind people that you know
when you're here there should be no reason to really be in a hurry or anxious and you know be
nice and just to relax so the first time i got the kitchen all set up and i stood in front of that
window and looked out at the water it was really like i was home again you know i found my new home
i had a great view of why i came here and it really gave me peace even in the chaos of opening
up a new business i could always look out there as i do now and relax and know that this is my home
and i love it even though the smiles have lasted long after smiling fish cafe closed her doors
george never strayed too far from his beloved gulf view now he manages shunk gully oyster bar
an iconic beach bar destination quite literally just across the street and uh if there's a little
window and the wind's out of the northeast and i can squeeze in 45 minutes or an hour you know
i'll go for a paddle and i've often showed up to line up with shorts wet with sandy feet you know
because i mean that's why we moved here i i remind the team and lineup every day how thankful and
grateful they should be what a great place this is to come to work you know it's safe because of
the open-air feel and the views great you know so there's no reason they shouldn't be smiling
you know it's not an uncommon story here at the beach there's something just so darn seductive
about these turquoise waters like the tides that lap back and forth against her sugar white
shores businesses inevitably come and go for that matter some people come and go too
but not people like captain george for people like george
gulf place is where the road ends but the smiles well they never do