The second stop on my beach road trip through Florida, took me to Panama City Beach. PCB is not to be confused with Panama City which is a separate city. Panama City Beach is home to beaches and it`s a popular destination for spring breakers and families.
What to see?
What better way to see 27 miles of white sandy beaches than from up in the air. We flew all the way to Shell Island, a natural, undeveloped island which is part of St Andrews State Park. According to our pilot, Mike Schaeffer, May is the best time for a helicopter ride, as the colors of the blue water pops even more. (You can book a helicopter ride starting from 40US$* for 5 miles. I did the 28 miles one and that was 125US$*)
Of course you can explore the beaches while feeling the sand between your toes and watching the sun set.
Want to see something different than beaches, why not go shopping at Pier Park. Besides 124 stores you can dine and entertain yourself at the movies.
What else is there to do?
Want to try something new, why not take part in a Paddle Board Yoga session. I didn`t even know this existed, but gave it a go and had a lot of fun. Read more about my experience.
Where to eat?
If you`re looking for something different for lunch, than swing by Liza`s Kitchen. Fresh ingredients and homemade, you`ll need a moment to choose between the variety of sandwiches and salads.
Looking for a nice spot to have dinner, the Boat Yard is located at the waterfront and offers a great view.
Where to stay?
We stayed at a condo in one of the high rise buildings. If you`re with your family, this is the way to go as you have plenty of space and all the facilities like kitchen, washer/dryer,… at your disposal.
Some Fun Facts
- Weather is sub-tropical, with a year-round temperature averaging 74 degrees
- 320 days of sunshine per year
- The area boasts one of the highest concentrations of bottlenose dolphins in the world
It is also important to note that Panama City Beach along with the western portions of the Florida Panhandle are located in the Central Time Zone. This is unlike the rest of the state being in the Eastern Time Zone.
If you want to read up on Florida, then check out my first stop on this trip at Pensacola.
*Prices were accurate at time of publishing.
This trip was made possible with the support of Visit Florida. Special thanks to Visit Panama City Beach, Panhandle Helicopter and Yoga Elements.
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