Think you know 30A? Sure, the beaches are stunning, the cottages are pastel perfection, and the sunsets are Instagram royalty. But if you take a left off the main road—or maybe just look a little closer—you’ll find the quirky, spooky, and sometimes downright bizarre side of this stretch of Florida. 

Buckle up, and let’s wander down this storybook stretch of the Gulf Coast full of curious legends, odd happenings, and a colorful past that’s sometimes stranger than fiction!

Stop 1: Point Washington – The Half-Lizard Who Might Say Hi

Point Washington isn’t just trees and marshes—it’s history. The town boomed on lumber, then crumbled thanks to a yellow fever outbreak, a crop disaster, and a hurricane in 1926. 

But locals will tell you it’s not entirely empty. 

Meet Tailypo, a half-man, half-lizard creature who supposedly haunts the old paths. He doesn’t bite… probably. Imagine lumberjacks swapping tall tales over firelight, and you get why the story sticks.

Stop 2: Grayton Beach – Red Glows and Mr. Bones

Next up, Grayton Beach, one of the oldest spots on 30A. 

Here’s where things get colorful: a family from Birmingham supposedly got so sunburned in the ’90s that… they succumbed to their burns, and let’s just say their house has a glowing reputation. 

Moonless nights reveal a red glow in their old windows, and if you’re brave, you might find yourself “slimed” by mysterious residue smelling faintly of burnt bacon. 

And don’t forget Mr. Bones—a ghostly prankster who started life as a chicken skeleton and now lives forever in local lore. Honestly, it’s the kind of quirky detail that makes Grayton Beach feel like a place that has personality… and a sense of humor.

Stop 3: Camp Helen – Ghostly Hikes

Camp Helen State Park, near Inlet Beach, is more than just a haven for sand dunes and pine trees. Rumors of a wandering old man and a lady ghost add just enough intrigue to make a stroll along the trails feel like stepping into a living storybook. Even if you don’t see anything, the history of the park—once a private estate, now a public treasure—is enough to make your imagination wander.

Stop 4: Gulf Cemetery – Time Travelers Welcome

On County Road 393 South, the Gulf Cemetery quietly tells the stories of South Walton’s earliest residents. Many graves are unmarked now, which adds a sense of mystery and nostalgia. Walking among the weathered stones, you get a sense of time passing, of communities that once thrived, and of the enduring charm of a place that doesn’t forget its past.

Stop 5: WaterColor Inn – Modern-Day Mischief

Even today, 30A’s stories aren’t confined to history. At the WaterColor Inn, guests have shared tales of unexplained noises—moans in the night, whispers in the halls. True or not, it’s part of what gives 30A its playful, larger-than-life character: a little whimsy mixed with history, nature, and just a touch of the unexplained.

From half-lizards to glowing houses, this coast isn’t just about sun and sand—it’s about stories that stick with you long after you leave. 

Keep your eyes open, your camera ready, and maybe, just maybe, watch your back… Tailypo might be watching too.

Happy Halloween!