When one thinks of paradise images of Maui or the Caribbean frequently come to mind. I however am blessed enough to live in a place equally as gorgeous (sometimes more so) and much less expensive. My home is located on Santa Rosa Island and is called Pensacola Beach. Our little Island Paradise is growing by leaps and bounds and makes for a perfect vacation for everyone: families, couples, and seniors. We have white sandy beaches that look like they are made with sugar and world famous fishing. I came here for a visit and never left, I guess I’m the type of tourist locals love to hate, the kind that never left. Anyway, Pensacola Beach is now my home and I feel compelled to share with you what you may be missing, so next time you plan a vacation you might keep our paradise in mind.

Getting to Pensacola Beach is no problem. Pensacola has a regional airport with over 40 flights coming and going daily. Driving is no problem either we are located: 290 miles from Atlanta, 260 miles from Birmingham, 475 miles from Memphis, 225 miles from New Orleans and 340 miles from Orlando. Pensacola makes a stand alone vacation, there’s plenty to do and see, but it also makes for a great stopping place if your planning a trip around New Orleans or Orlando.

Historical Activities
Pensacola is steeped in history and right here on our little island the well known Indian Chief Geronimo was once harbored. Over one hundred years ago Ft. Pickens was built to protect Pensacola Bay it was built in 1829 and used until the 1940’s. Visitors can still walk around gun batteries and the actual fort itself. The National Park Service now controls the Fort and it’s a wonderful place to visit.

Along the historical lines I suppose would fall the military experience. Pensacola is a Navy town, home of the world famous Blue Angels. If you aren’t familiar with them, just think Top Gun in precision. The Blue Angles practice weekly during the summer months and spectators can even get in on autograph sessions. The Blue Angels put on a huge air show every summer here on the island and it’s right around the corner…. July 9-10.

Go Fish
Fishing in Florida is hard to top. The fishing pier here on the island is the longest in the Gulf of Mexico, it is 1,471 feet long and from it we catch a variety of fish… king mackerel, cobia, flounder and whiting just to name a few. From our dock behind our house, on the sound side of the island, I frequently catch Spanish, Mullet and Sheephead. The pier has a walking admission fee of $1, kids under 12 are free, yet if you plan to fish it’s $6.50 per person, and well worth it! Our island also boasts plenty of boat captains just waiting for you to arrive to take you out on 2 to 8 hour fishing excursions, prices vary.

Go Golf
For some people vacation is not vacation with doing 18 holes. For the golfing fan in your clan we offer 10 courses with 45 minutes of the beach. Both Tiger Point and Scenic Hills are only minutes from the beach.

The Club at Hidden Creek
Time Lost Key Golf Club
Marcus Pointe Golf Club
Stonebrook Village Golf Club
Osceola MunicipalGolf Course
The Moors Golf Club
Sportsman Golf Resort
Tiger Point Golf & Country Club
Scenic Hills Country Club
Creekside Golf Club


Getting around on the beach - Trolleys, Funny Cars, Bikes and Scooters
This is probably the most fun and one of the unique parts to visiting our island. In the main part of the island one finds most hotels, bars, and activities all within walking distance of each other. However, if you have small people with you, want to sight see or just relax you can enjoy several different modes of transportation. From Friday thru Sunday visitor’s can ride around the island on the FREE trolley system. The trolleys’ run from 10 a.m. until 2:30 a.m. with no admission charge. You can ride all the way out to the main gate of Ft. Pickens, all around the boardwalk/beach areas and even all the way out into the residential area for guests that may be renting one of the many seasonal vacation rentals. Funny Cars can be rented for very reasonable prices. Starting at $19, one can take their own private tour around the island, from Ft. Pickens to Portofino and everywhere in between. Funny Cars are electronic cars with two models available a 4 seater or the luxurious 5 seaters. They are available in different colors, all have names and themes to as well. Bike rentals are available at several island locations and there is a bike path that runs the entire length of Santa Rosa Island. Scooters (mopeds) are also available for rent at two or three locations as well.

Lodging
Being a top tourist destination, the island is naturally loaded with hotels. There are two budget motels, which are extremely affordable in season with rates under $100 per night, they are the Sandpiper Gulf Aire Inn and the Tiki House. Moving up from there rooms can run from $119 to $400 per night at the Portofino Resort. Other hotels that are available are: Beachside, Comfort Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Marriott, Best Western, Hampton Inn, Clarion, Hilton, The Dunes, and 5 Flags. If you are planning a trip around a holiday weekend, it is important that you don’t arrive without a reservation. Most holiday weekends find the beach totally sold out of rooms.

Aside from hotels there are abundant rental homes and condos for rent, most of which have daily, weekly and monthly rates. Prepare to pay for the luxury this type of stay affords.


Shopping:
Shopping on the beach is plentiful, one can find everything from souvenier magnets to high end art.

Art Galleries: TheNina Fritz Gallery, features local artist Nina Fritz and you can have a custom watercolor done in about an hour. Check out her website at: www.ninafritz.com
Clothing: There is plenty of island locations to buy everything from T-shirts to international designs. The Quietwater Boardwalk is loaded with clothing shops as well as various other stores along our main street, Via de Luna.

Day Spas
Fusion Spa Salon is a full service day spa and hair salon that offers a wide range of rejuvenating services such as full hair services, massage therapy, facials, pedicures, and manicures.


Picture This
Most visitors are always taking pictures, one cannot help but want to share our sugar like sand with people who won’t believe the beauty of our island with seeing it for themselves. Fortunately, we have a full service photo shop with 1-hour processing, digital services, film, cameras, frames and albums. Owned by professional photographers who are available for portraits on the beach, wedding and souvenir photos.

Come Sail Away
Imagine coming to paradise and wanting to take sail, however you didn’t bring to boat or maybe don’t have your own. Well don’t worry, no problem here. We have several rental stores who rent everything from jet skis and catamarans to 26’ pontoon/party boats.


ENTERTAINMENT
Summer is kicked off during Memorial Day weekend. No matter when you come, we’ve always got something going on. Almost every weekend there is a festival of sorts, Blue Angels, fireworks, Mardi Gras, Flive Flags celebrations, Lobster Fest and many more. The local beach pavilions have free entertainment with Blues on the Beach every Tuesday evening. The Quietwater Boardwalk has free entertainment almost every weekend. It is hard to be bored in our tropical paradise.

Restaurants & Dining
Never fear if you aren’t a seafood fan, there is plenty of variety here. Our newest restaurant Hemingways’ has Caribbean fare and there are plenty of steaks and burgers at other restaurants. For the seafood lovers you will find yourself in heaven. Diners will find them selves comfortable in almost any attire from bathing suits to fine dining we have it all.

So if you’re planning a summer get-a-way and haven’t decided on a location yet, consider the tropical paradise of Pensacola Beach. We’ve got it all, plenty of sun, fun, relaxation, water sports, fishing, diving, dancing and dining. Come one, come all….


Recommended: Yes

Best Suited For: Friends
Best Time to Travel Here: Jun - Aug