Rosemary Beach, Florida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rosemary Beach, Florida
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Downtown Rosemary Beach
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 Rosemary Beach, Florida
Location in Florida
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| Country | United States |
| State | Florida |
| County | Walton |
| Elevation | 30 ft (10 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
32461
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| Area code(s) | 850 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1955359 |
Rosemary Beach is a special community in Walton County, Florida, right on the beautiful Gulf Coast. It is located along a beach road called CR 30A. This community was built on land that used to be part of an older area called Inlet Beach.
Rosemary Beach was started in 1995 by Patrick D. Bienvenue. It was designed by a company called Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company. The community covers about 105 acres (0.42 square kilometers). When it was finished, it had over 400 places for homes. It also has a town center with shops, restaurants, and fun activities.
The way the town is designed looks a lot like the French Quarter in New Orleans. Rosemary Beach might be named after Rosemary Milligan. She was a realtor who owned much of the land here before it was developed. Some people also say it is named after the fresh rosemary plants that grow in the area.
Town Design and Architecture
Rosemary Beach is one of three special communities along Florida's Gulf Coast. These communities were designed by Andrés Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk. The other two are Seaside and Alys Beach. All three are great examples of a planning style called New Urbanism. This style focuses on creating walkable towns with different types of buildings.
Rosemary Beach was designed in 1995. It has many shops, places to eat, a hotel, and public green spaces. The design of the town takes ideas from New Orleans' French Quarter. It also uses styles from European Colonial buildings in the West Indies and Caribbean.
The homes in Rosemary Beach are built with strong materials. They use natural colors and have high ceilings to keep cool. Many homes also have balconies. It is easy to walk from the homes to the beach. The houses are built close together and are all neutral colors. The community also has four outdoor swimming pools for everyone to enjoy.
Beach Access and Activities
The beaches at Rosemary Beach are only for people staying in the community. To get onto the beach, visitors need a special code or a wristband. This helps keep the beaches private for residents and guests.
The ocean water here is warm and inviting. Many people enjoy swimming or playing in the waves. You can also walk or jog along the sandy shore. Building sandcastles is a popular activity for families. Some people just relax and read on the beach. Visitors can also rent equipment for water activities. Kayaking and paddle boarding are fun ways to explore the water. Many people rent houses in Rosemary Beach for their summer vacations.
Fun Things to Do and See
There are several nature reserves near Rosemary Beach. These include Eden Gardens State Park, Timpoochee Trail, Deer State Park, and Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. These parks offer great opportunities for outdoor adventures. You can find hiking trails and see different kinds of wildlife. Camping is also an option at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park.
More and more tourists have been visiting Rosemary Beach recently. Biking is a very popular way to get around the beach area. In the summer, the temperature in Rosemary Beach is usually warm. It ranges from about 75°F (24°C) to 90°F (32°C). During the winter, it is cooler, from about 45°F (7°C) to 66°F (19°C).
Water activities are a big hit here. You can go kayaking, paddle boarding, or even jet skiing. Parasailing is another exciting option. There are also Blue Dolphin Tours where you can take a two-hour boat ride to spot dolphins. They even offer a sunset tour, which is beautiful. The 30A area around Rosemary Beach has many places for shopping. You can find boutiques selling swimwear, beachwear, toys, home décor, and souvenirs.
