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Florida’s Panhandle is often referred to as the “Emerald Coast“ for the deep color of its Gulf of Mexico waters. It’s also known as “The Forgotten Coast” and the “Redneck Riviera,’ but no matter what you call it, it’s one of Florida’s most popular vacation destinations. Deservedly so as it offers uncrowded sugar-white beaches and clear, blue-green waters in abundance, along with boating, fishing and diving, seafood restaurants, sunny golf courses and lots of places to just take it easy.
Winters can get chilly in the Florida Panhandle. But an increasing number of “snowbird” visitors have helped expand Panhandle tourism from summertime-only into a year-round activity.
PANAMA CITY
Panama City, one of the "100 Best Small Art Towns in America", hosts a wide variety of local treasure. The Visual Arts Center, McKenzie Park, great restaurants, beautiful marina, wonderful galleries – these are just a sampling of the wonderful places to discover. The Downtown spirit is festive and fun all year long with jazz and blues festivals, live stage productions, classic car parades, art shows and, of course, the annual Oktoberfest event.
PANAMA CITY BEACH
Panama City Beach has long been a favorite beach destination for families seeking an affordable, fun-filled vacation. Its 27 miles of beaches, which many consider "The World's Most Beautiful Beaches", offer every imaginable watersport activity. But the beach is just the beginning! Panama City Beach has plenty of affordable family fun, and local attractions abound are plentiful, just steps from the sand!
THE BEACHES OF SOUTH WALTON
The Beaches of South Walton, located on Florida's gulf coast between Panama City Beach and Destin, is a 26 mile stretch of pristine sugar-white beaches and home to some of the most upscale accommodations in Florida. Route30-A is a scenic coastal road which meanders throughout thousands of acres of state nature preserves strewn with freshwater coastal dune lakes and dotted with thirteen exceptional beach communities, unique shops and distinctive restaurants.
DESTIN/FORT WALTON REGION
Families come back year after year to the sparkling beaches of Destin, Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa Island. Emerald-green water and brilliant white sands provide the perfect backdrop for fun, and with more than 100 festivals and events held annually, a good time is always close at hand. Destin's claim to fame is its status as "The World's Luckiest Fishing Village," and harbors the largest charter boat fleet in Florida.
THE PENSACOLA REGION
PENSACOLA BEACH
(Please note: Pensacola Beach rentals are slowly being repaired or rebuilt after Hurricanes Ivan and Dennis. Please check back as they should begin being offered again soon.)
Beach-lovers will enjoy Pensacola Beach, which occupies nearly eight miles of the 40-mile-long Santa Rosa barrier island. It is surrounded by the Santa Rosa Sound and Gulf of Mexico to the north and south and on either side by the federally protected Gulf Islands National Seashore. The Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier and Observation Post stretches 1,471 feet into the Gulf of Mexico providing breathtaking views.
Designated a National Historic Landmark, this area is lined with restored homes, museums, shops, galleries and restaurants, some more than two hundred years old.
To the west of Pensacola is the Naval Air Station, which boasts the world-renowned National Museum of Naval Aviation and hosts the Blue Angels Homecoming Show each November. Also in this area is the 16th-century Spanish Fort San Carlos de Barrancas and the Old Pensacola Lighthouse.
NAVARRE BEACH
Tucked away in a corner of Northwest Florida, far from crowded theme parks and packed beaches, the small beach community of Navarre offers solitude and simplicity for nature lovers. Navarre Beach boasts miles of beautiful shoreline where sand dunes gracefully slope down to the beaches and the sand is so clean and powdery white, it squeaks under your toes. Enjoy eight miles of pristine beaches located within the federally protected Gulf Islands National Seashore, extending from Pensacola east along State Road 399 all the way to the southern tip of Santa Rosa Island. This is the longest continuous stretch of protected beach in Northwest Florida, perfect for sun seekers, birdwatchers and shutterbugs.
Visitors were anxious to return for vacation to Navarre Beach following Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and Dennis in 2005. The Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce reports that the unspoiled beaches, snorkeling nearby the old pier, and watching dolphins frolic in the sound can be experienced once again.
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