Seaside made a walkable town part of Walton's beach story
Seaside is a privately planned community in unincorporated Walton County whose walkable plan became a well-known New Urbanist example.
Seaside changed how many people picture a Florida beach town.
The story began before the town was built. J.S. Smolian bought 80 acres near Seagrove Beach in 1946. His grandson Robert Davis later took over the land. Building began in 1981 under a plan that put homes, shops, porches, small streets, and shared spaces close enough for people to walk.
Seaside later became a well-known New Urbanist example and helped shape the look of 30A. Yet it is not a city with its own city hall. It is a private planned community in unincorporated Walton County. County rules, property rules, and beach access can each affect a visit.
For Walton County, Seaside is more than a group of rentals. It is a town-design story beside the Gulf. Check parking, beach access, events, and property rules before going. A walk through the plan shows more than a quick drive.
Place paths
Direct subjects and contextual connections are labeled separately so an example does not read like a local rule.
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Official sources
Last checked against these sources: July 29, 2026.
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