Pensacola Beach, FL

Pensacola Beach is a community on Santa Rosa Island in the state of Florida. You’ll find this beach epitomizes Florida’s “Sunshine State” nickname, with its beautiful weather, stunning beaches and friendly locals.

After being hit hard by Hurricane Ivan in 2004, the city has returned to normal and coming to Pensacola Beach for vacation is as good as ever. Pay a small fee to walk along the pier and watch the local fishermen at work or go snorkeling with the family in the calm waters.

Across Via De Luna Drive is Quietwater Beach Road. This lively boulevard is home to street performers, restaurants and nightclubs, and cultural events are held here throughout the year. Among them is Bamboo Willie’s Jamaican Festival. It’s held at the end of summer and is famous for its bathtub races.

Learn about the history of the area during a free ranger tour at Fort Pickens. While here, check out the 10-foot (3-meter) tall concrete Island Cross. Erected in 1959 by the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic organization, it remains unscathed despite numerous violent hurricanes.

Away from the beach, golfers will appreciate the range of international-class courses. Tiger Point Golf Club is situated just across Pensacola Beach Boulevard in Gulf Breeze. The Pensacola Open, which was part of the PGA Tour until 1988, was played here.

The cuisine of Pensacola is characterized by its oceanfront location. Sample oysters, crab and shrimp caught in the Gulf of Mexico and brought directly to your plate. Make sure to try a Bushwacker: This rum, coffee and chocolate cocktail was first served here in 1975 and has inspired the yearly Bushwacker Festival in August.

The tollroad Pensacola Beach Boulevard connects the city to Gulf Breeze on the mainland and there is plenty of free parking in the lots near the two main avenues: Fort Pickens Road to the west, and Via De Luna Drive to the east. You can easily see the main attractions on foot. Alternatively, rent a bike or jump on the free trolley, which operates in the high season.