One of the best things about vacation? THE SNACKS. And trust me, our trip to Santa Rosa Beach was full of them—from melty cones to sandy chips and the cutest little coffee stops in between.


Let’s start with the spot that truly became “ours”...


We stumbled into Gulf View Snack Shack early in the trip and kept coming back again (and again). Brody quickly named it “our spot,” and I couldn’t agree more. Between the coffee, donuts, and ice cream, it had everything we didn’t know we needed. The boys? Covered in chocolate smiles and sticky hands—every time. Their favorite? Classic chocolate iced donuts with sprinkles. Mine and Michael’s? A chocolate fudge brownie cone that we may or may not have had more than once. No regrets.


We also discovered Kith & Kin—the cutest little coffee truck with the most peaceful coastal vibes. We rolled up in our golf cart, grabbed our drinks, and just let the boys play in the sand while music played in the background. It felt like something out of a beachy dream. Just us, good coffee, happy kids, and the breeze rolling in. Pure bliss.


Now, let’s talk food magic. The night we accidentally found our favorite beer of the trip.


On night one, we headed to Pizza by the Sea for a no-fuss dinner. Michael thought he ordered online for pick-up… but forgot to click "continue.” Classic. So there we were with no order on file, but instead of stressing, we just rolled with it. While we waited, I spotted a bottle of beer with the name 30A Beach Blonde Ale. We grabbed two, the boys got lemonade, and we sat outside on the patio while our pizza cooked. That beer? Instant favorite. It became our drink of the trip—something we never would’ve tried if it weren’t for that little ordering mishap. Funny how things work out.


Later in the week, we ate at Goatfeathers, a super fun spot that felt like dining in a fish tank (in the best way). We shared a seafood platter, sipped a delicious margarita, and of course, the boys stuck with their signature dish—chicken fingers. Some things never change.


Back at Hallie’s House, we kept it easy: sandwiches, chips, fruit snacks, and juice boxes galore. Wherever Chase went, a bag of chips followed. Dorito dust, Cheetos fingers, the works. I swear he was permanently stained orange. And don’t even get me started on the “sodies” (aka soda) and Paw Patrol fruit snacks—they lived their best snack lives on this trip.


Every bite, every sip, every messy moment—pure joy.

Two children in matching holiday outfits enjoying ice cream treats at outdoor restaurant.
Heartwarming beachside selfie on a sunny afternoon.
Child smiling while holding orange snack with tropical plants in background.
Child in red t-shirt and blue shorts smiling in living room with wooden floors.
Iced coffee drink with blue straw on wooden table at cafe.
Two children sitting at counter with decorative shelving display in background.
A warm candlelit restaurant setting showing two diners sharing a meal at a wooden table.
Young child sitting in salon chair holding orange drink while getting haircut.
Young person in white hoodie smiling at outdoor patio table with greenery in background.