Pensacola Beach Florida

Beaches and golf make Pensacola sparkle year-round

Sugar-white sands and rolling dunes extend for miles, merging with the Gulf of Mexico as it sends waves surfing onto the shore.

Here and there a few humans walk or play or sit on the beach, watching the weather and feeling their daily worries trickle away.

Is this some remote island in winter?

No, it's a typical day, summer or winter, on miles of beaches that grace the Pensacola area. Sure, you can find crowded beaches if you're in the mood for company, but you also can easily avoid long lines and enjoy the shoreline by yourself.

The beauty of Pensacola's pristine beaches is protected by federal and state reservations which preserve them from development. Gulf Islands National Seashore and Big Lagoon State Park offer huge swaths of untrammeled, easily accessible beaches open to the public.

The waves come in all sizes. While the Gulf may send surf crashing ashore, more sheltered bodies of water on both Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key provide wonderful wading areas for children. And pools are available at most motels and condominiums for travelers who like smooth swimming.

Summer is the heart of the season for families of tourists, but spring and fall are shoulder seasons with pleasures of their own, and winter provides snowbirds and retirees a restful refuge on the beaches.

Relatively little traffic and generally low prices beckon beach-goers to the Pensacola area. And they will find not only sun and surf but also plenty of nightlife and special events.

For those who want to get a bird's-eye view of Gulf Coast wildlife, a trip to Big Lagoon State Park is a must. There, a tall observation tower lets you see birds and other creatures in a habitat of woods and marshes, and campgrounds are available.

Perdido Key even won a clean bill of health in "The Physician's Guide to Quality," a publication aimed at medical doctors.

"Today, with its measured population, building and economic growth, Perdido Key on the Gulf of Mexico is the perfect setting for your vacation," the magazine reported. "It offers a selection of superior accommodations, dining in quaint restaurants and shopping in pleasant shops. Water sports abound, but should you tire of the beach and sand, there's boating, deep-sea fishing, diving, golf and tennis to entertain the family" Sounds like a prescription for the perfect vacation.

Seashore means coastlines, not long lines

The Gulf Islands National Seashore hopscotches along the coast from South Mississippi to West Florida/preserving unspoiled beaches, open spaces and historic sites once taken for granted.

Pensacola is in the heart of the National Seashore, which flanks the city with a pair of barrier islands — Perdido Key to its west and Santa Rosa Island to its east.

These islands offer miles of white sand, emerald waters, eye-catching vistas — and a wide selection of lodging and nightlife when the sun goes down. The Gulf Islands National Seashore also is home to forts and other historic attractions. The preserved seashores are perfectly clear.

"Come to our beaches. Wiggle your toes into the powdery white sand. Gaze out over the waves crashing at sea, then breaking gently on the shore. Listen to the surf, the seagull cries, the wind whistling through the dune grasses and sea oats and you'll come to understand why we've worked so hard to preserve this natural splendor," says "The Insider's Guide to Florida's Great Northwest," a 500-page collection of facts and tips about the area.

The federal seashore, created in January 1971, covers a total of 150 miles, including 52 miles in West Florida. In keeping with that spirit of preservation and recreation, the State of Florida and the cities of Pensacola and Gulf Breeze also have popular expanses of protected parklands which complement the seashore.

Pensacola, Florida - Located on Florida’s Panhandle, close to the Alabama border, Pensacola draws visitors looking for the ideal seaside vacation to play or relax on the sugar-white sand beaches next to the soothing Gulf of Mexico surf. Visitors enjoy fun in the sun and all its inherent activities, from wind-surfing to fishing, to exploring a plethora of historic sites and taking in the show-stopping Navy Blue Angels precision flying team.

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