Traveling the Beach Road to the Gulf Coast
Enjoy a Pleasant Drive from Montgomery Alabama to the Florida Beach
May 30, 2009
For decades, beach goers driving south from Montgomery Alabama to the Northwest Florida Gulf Coast have traveled U. S. Highway 331. This two-lane rural highway is known as The Beach Road because it brings travelers to a Florida beach that is still virtually unknown to visitors outside the southeast United States.
The straightforward nature of the highway makes a road map unnecessary and the combination of “old south” towns, rolling hills and gracious curves makes the drive a pleasant one. Some of the road runs along a ridge of what it the southernmost portions of the Appalachian mountain chain, offering distant views of valleys and hills beyond. Some of it runs through rich farmland and some of it runs though small rural Alabama towns.
South Alabama Towns
Leaving Montgomery, the traveler passes through little towns with names like Snowdoun, Ada and Highland Home before reaching Luverne, the “Friendliest City in the South” and home of the “World’s Largest Peanut Boil.” This charming, old southern town is also the county seat of Crenshaw County and is 354 feet above sea level. Make note that highway 331 makes a sharp right turn downtown.
Brantley, Alabama is the “Front Porch Capital of the South” with some lovely old homes, and several second hand stores and craft shops just begging to be explored. Look for Muscadine vines growing in the yards of many of the homes. The grape is native to the southeast and grows wild throughout the region.
Opp, Alabama is the “City of Opportunity” but travelers can go right around it on the bypass road without knowing it’s even there. The elevation has now dropped to 338 feet above sea level. Each April, the town hosts the Rattlesnake Rodeo which draws nearly 20,000 people. Along with rattlesnake demonstrations and arts and crafts booths, visitors can sample fried rattlesnake.
Florala sits on the state line between Florida and Alabama, with most of the town actually located in Florida. In 1818, Andrew Jackson and his troops passed through the area during the First Seminole War and the lake is named for him. Several antiques shops beckon travelers to stop and browse. The elevation here is 262 feet above sea level.
Beach Road Restaurants
In Luverne, stop in at Stimy’s Coffee Shop for coffee, pastries and hot dogs and Hook’s Barbeque in Opp is a great place for ribs, chicken, burgers and wings. Corbey’s Ice Cream and Deli in Florala has hand dipped cones and freshly made deli sandwiches. Look for Betty Boop outside
Things to Know About The Beach Road
Lurverne is about 52 miles north of the Florida state line, so travelers can judge their travel progress at this point. Southland Service Center in Brantley is a good place to buy gas (petrol). They usually have good prices.
Frank Jackson State Park is located just north of Opp and offers fishing and swimming in its 1,000-acre stream-fed lake as well as shoreline picnic areas and lakefront RV camping sites. The Frank Jackson Scenic Overlook just south of the lake is a relaxing place to stop.
Florala offers a variety of activities from antiquing, to a 9-hole mini golf course. Rent a surrey-bike to ride around Lake Jackson. Two bed and breakfast inns serve the town as well as a lakeside campground at Florala State Park.
Just south of the state line, turn east on highway 147 and go 1.4 miles. Then turn north and go one mile to Lakewood Park. At 345 feet above sea level, this is the highest point in the state of Florida.
Continue south to Defuniak Springs, the county seat of Walton County. Just before passing under Interstate 10, stop in at Chautauqua Vineyards’ tasting room and sales shop on the left. Wine varieties include Cabernet, Merlot, White Zinfandel, and the native Muscadine.
On the right side of Highway 331, about 4 ½ miles south of I-10, there is a trailhead for the Florida National Scenic Trail, an 1100-mile hiking trail that traverses the state. This portion goes through Eglin Air Force Base for about 40 miles and offers primitive hiking with no services, but lots of wildlife and nature.
Continue driving highway 331 for another 22 miles to where The Beach Road ends at U. S. Highway 98 about halfway between Destin and Panama City Beach. Here, in South Walton County, are fifteen beach towns, including Seaside, Rosemary Beach and Grayton Beach, and rare coastal dune lakes, art galleries, restaurants, shopping and lots of eco-tourism opportunities. Then, of course, there’s the Beach. Is it any wonder that highway 331 is called The Beach Road?
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