SEASIDE ~ IT WAS FUN GETTING TO KNOW YOU!

Story & Photos by Pamela A. Campbell

The best view is from the top, and you'll never get enough of it.

A once sleepy beach town where tin rooftops catch the eye with their symmetrical peaks and distinctive towers define Seaside's trademark features, it's northwest Florida's most famous town decked with colorful cottages, widow's walks and some of the most ornate towers I've seen in a single community.

Welcome to Seaside, the little beach town that continues to inspire professional planners to emulate Robert Davis' dream of transforming 80 acres of sand and scrub into a small town. Together with internationally acclaimed architects Andres Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, Davis meticulously pursued the concept of establishing an environmentally friendly neighborhood, where it would be an easy walk to the Town Center and recreational areas. Seems he did not only inherit his grandfather's land, but his visionary nature as well.

A walking tour of Seaside reveals a town with no room for lookalike cottages or towering high-rise buildings. Sure some prerequisites include picket fences, galvanized metal roofs, wooden clapboard, board-and-batten or shingle exteriors, porches and vertical windows with working window shutters. But each building is as individual as its owner and the original names they have displayed on their fences. The picket fences are all painted white, but there are no two alike on the same street.

This is the perfect place to enjoy a carefree vacation. Once you turn off on County Road 30-A you'll notice the unhurried pace - it's like a breath of fresh air. It reminded me of a whimsical time when I was a little girl without a care in the world, and people were down to earth and friendly. It would take days to wander around this quaint little town, but take your time, you'll enjoy it better.

Everyone who comes into town stops by Modica Market sooner or later. Shop for deli sandwiches, gourmet coffee, select wines, baked goods, produce and imported groceries. If you forgot your sunscreen or used it all, you can replenish your stock from a variety of brands. Regulars meet friends here for a coffee and muffin, pick up a newspaper and then head back home.

This is where folks sit on their front porches, the scene of many impromptu meetings among neighbors, or a friendly exchange with passersby as they wander the streets on foot. It's a refreshing change from crowded suburbia with large shopping malls and fast-food outlets. Shopping and dining in Seaside is almost reminiscent of European and American small towns.

Just don't miss PER-SPI-CAS-ITY Market, a thriving, colorful open-air market that had its humble beginnings in 1981as an outdoor market selling fruits and vegetables. By 1983, Daryl Davis (Robert's wife) had architect Deborah Berke design the open concept (eight-foot square stalls) and it has developed into one of Seaside's most popular attractions. Merchandise for sale includes jewelry, accessories and local crafts, all attractively displayed in the pastel colored stalls, or under huge colorful umbrellas anchored in the square.

Another great buy are clothes in easy-care design made of natural fabrics that travel well. They display the goods in wicker baskets, which are for sale too. The ceiling fans relieve the heat somewhat, but it's the colors and the casual, laid-back atmosphere that makes it a shopper's paradise (suddenly, I'm thinking Caribbean).

Continuing on into Cinderella Circle I found 16 more shops stacked with books, toys, clothing and art. I could have spent hours in PATCHOULI'S, a lovely store with all kinds of skincare products, scented candles, perfumes and oils from around the world. The extensive soap variety would be a welcome addition to any bathroom!

Parents (especially moms) could go overboard at 4KIDZ .They stock a variety of kids cotton clothing (age 12 months to 14 years), toys (lots of Beanie Babies and Buddies), music, fashion jewelry and novelty gift items.

ARTZ is Donna Burgess' watercolor oasis; here's a great opportunity to bring home a beach scene or a Seaside home painted by this talented artist.

No visitor can leave without a visit to Bud & Alley's, a Seaside restaurant that boasts some of the best coastal cuisine. Owners Scott Witcoski and Dave Rauschkolb pride themselves in using the finest local and regional ingredients from northwest Florida for their mouthwatering menu offerings. (For more on Bud & Alley's please see Florida's Beaches of South Walton - Eat Beat for Food Lovers in our Wine and Dine Section).

A quick detour brought our walking tour to the Honeymoon Cottages, which are modeled after Thomas Jefferson's cottage at Monticello, and were designed by the Seaside's former town architect, Scott Merrill. The two-storied structures offer every comfort for that special moment for two people who may just want to get away and relax. Imagine luxuriating in a private Jacuzzi and watching a brilliant sunset. A perfect hideaway location tucked among the dunes, the beach cottages created such a harmony with the environment that they won the National American Institute of Architects Award of Excellence.

If you're in Seaside it won't take long to figure out that walking on the beach and exploring the town are two favorite leisure pastimes. For the action minded the Seaside Swim and Tennis Club has six championship tennis courts, a croquet lawn and three swimming pools. Bike rentals are available and kite flying is gaining in popularity (decorative Oriental kites are sold at PER-SPI-CAS-ITY). In the Spring and Fall try surf casting for catfish, whiting and pompano, or why not try crab netting? (Nets are available at the Seagrove Village Market).

No town as picturesque as Seaside is irresistible to the avid photographer. The beach scenes are definitely picture perfect, but everywhere you go demands attention from a camera. If you have the time I would suggest searching out the monumental beach pavilions with stairways to the beach. Especially impressive are The East Ruskin Street Beach Pavilion, The Savannah Street Beach Pavilion and the Tupelo Street Beach Pavilion (directly in front is the Tupelo Street Gazebo).

For art and music lovers, there's Ruskin Place, Seaside's workshop and retail district. Together the designers' studios, antique stores and galleries have established Ruskin Place as a creative focus for the Town Center and many outdoor art and music festivals are held there.

Yes, this is quite a place, and there was quite a story told in the movie, The Truman Show starring Jim Carrey, which was filmed on location here.