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Seaside

Seaside History

   Seaside is one of the most recognized master-planned communities in the world. The charming village is one of 11 beach communities that dot scenic Highway 30-A, an 18-mile road that runs along the gulf coastline in the Panhandle's Walton County.
   Seaside was created by Robert Davis, an award-winning Miami builder who wanted to re-create the peaceful family holidays he experienced as a child. Davis' grandfather, J.S. Smolian, owned 80 acres near Seagrove Beach, and Davis spent many years vacationing in small cottages along the Gulf of Mexico.
   In 1982, Davis began building his dream community on 90 acres of land near his grandfather's original property. More than 300 cottages offer a year-round vacation experience for both residents and renters alike. Besides the cottages, Seaside also offers town homes, condos and single-family homes. All structures adhere to a neo-Victorian style of architecture, which creates a sense of community and character.
   Although Seaside is famed in the architectural community for its innovative urban design, it's perhaps best known as the setting for the 1998 film "The Truman Show." In the movie, Jim Carrey is an insurance adjuster in the small town of Seahaven who learns that his idyllic life is actually being taped as a reality TV show. "The Truman Show" may be fictional, but Seaside residents can actually experience their own idyllic lifestyles among the town's quaint cottages, airy porches and white picket fences.
   Location fees from "The Truman Show" paid for construction of the Seaside Neighborhood School, whose auditorium doubles as an assembly hall for the town. Other buildings include a local post office, antique shops, restaurants, boutiques and galleries -- all with a small-town look that hearkens back to a simpler time.

Activities

   As its name suggests, many activities in Seaside begin at the beach. The half-mile of sandy shore offers a variety of activities, including boating, sailing, fishing and swimming in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Nine beach pavilion stand at the end of the beachfont streets, serving as scenic gateways between land and water.
   There are two toddler pools and three large swimming pools located within the community. Two of the large pools are family oriented, while the third is an adults-only facility.
   There are six tennis courts, a horseshoe pit, shuffleboard and a world-class croquet lawn. Shops, galleries and restaurants are also located within walking distance of all homes.
   The Seaside Repertory Theatre was founded in 2001. The troupe offers outdoor performances as well as indoor plays and late-night improvisation sessions.
   The Seaside Institute hosts seminars in architecture and urban design for visiting professionals and community leaders. It also sponsors lectures, concerts, exhibitions and an artist-scholar residency program.

Seaside Fast Facts

   Location: Seaside is located along Highway 30-A, between WaterColor and Seacrest Beach.
   Average annual rainfall: 64.76 inches
   Average temperatures: 80ºF in summer, 50ºF in winter

Schools

Homes

   Seaside offers several housing choices, from beach cottages, and town homes to single-family homes and penthouse condos. All homes overlook charming streets lined with pedestrian paths and picket fences.

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