In the early to mid-20th century, the area was primarily used for fishing and small-scale tourism. Over the decades, development increased, especially as the popularity of 30A grew. Today, Dune Allen Beach is a mixture of residential homes, lavash vacation rentals with convenient beach access, and 2 of the exceedingly rare coastal dune lakes, Lake Allen, and Oyster Lake. For most, the more laid back atmosphere is the highlight of this area.