Welcome to Panama City Beach
Our 27 miles of white-sand beaches and emerald Gulf waters might (and should) sit at the top of your bucket list while you're here, but there's plenty more to do once you put the beach towel down.
At Emerald Coast Retreats, we spend every day helping guests turn beach trips into unforgettable memories. This quick guidebook we've put together is your shortcut to experience PCB like a true local.Dig in and enjoy!
Natural Wonders & Outdoor Escapes
The Jetty Beach area at St. Andrews State Park
St. Andrews State Park
St. Andrews State Park packs beaches, trails, snorkeling, and two waterfronts into one scenic stretch of PCB. Hit the Gulf side for surf and wide-open sand, or head to the jetties to snorkel with tropical fish, rays, and sea turtles. Prefer dry land? Gator Lake Trail has marshes and possible gator sightings, while Heron Pond Trail winds through pine forest and local history.
Good to know: Entry is $8 per vehicle. The Shell Island Shuttle also departs from the park.
Camp Helen State Park
At PCB's western edge, Camp Helen State Park sits between the Gulf and Lake Powell, Florida's largest coastal dune lake. That location creates an unusual mix of dunes, wetlands, pine flatwoods, and brackish water. Trails pass the historic 1928 Hicks lodge and old Avondale Textile Mills resort buildings, all the way to the shoreline.
Conservation Park
Ready to trade sand for sneakers? Conservation Park protects more than 2,900 acres of pine flatwoods and cypress wetlands. Twelve color-coded loops range from 0.6 to 11 miles. Elevated wooden boardwalks cross wetlands, and wildlife sightings might include bald eagles, deer, woodpeckers, and alligators.
Good to know: The best time to visit is early morning, before the Florida heat kicks in. Bring water, insect repellent, and proper walking shoes. Dogs are welcome on leashes.
Shell Island Excursions
Just off Panama City Beach, between the Gulf and St. Andrew Bay, Shell Island is seven miles of white sand with no hotels, shops, restaurants, or even a trash can. Reach it by shuttle from St. Andrews State Park, rent a pontoon, or join a dolphin boat tour for a day of swimming, shell hunting, and snorkeling the shallow Bayside grass flats. Keep an eye on the water, too; wild bottlenose dolphins are regulars around here.
Local packing tip: Bring water, food, sunscreen, shade, and trash bags. There are no services on the island, so everything you take in needs to come back out.
Dining, Coffee & Local Culinary Gems
Thomas Donut & Snack Shop, a famous local landmark on Front Beach Road
- Andy's Flour Power: A Thomas Drive favorite for breakfasts full of personality. The Flower Power French Toast is the signature, alongside rolled omelets and Eggs Benedict. On weekends, live jazz runs from 9 AM to 1 PM.
- Thomas Donut & Snack Shop: A Laguna Beach fixture since 1971, serving fresh glazed and red velvet donuts alongside breakfast sandwiches and coffee made with Amavida's organic Laguna Beach Blend.
- The Pour: Coffee with a good cause, this nonprofit café sends its proceeds to The Ark community ministry and serves fair-trade Amavida coffee, including the Honey Bee Latte and lavender-spiked Woodstock, plus avocado toast and breakfast bowls.
- Finn's Barista Bar & Snack Shack: A hidden gem inside Mr. Surf's on Thomas Drive, where you can try specialties such as the Madagascar Vanilla and Black Salt Mocha. They also have an impressive variety of house-made organic syrups.
- Bayside Cafe: For breakfast with water views, Bayside Cafe serves generous, homestyle plates beside the bay. Greek omelets, loaded home fries, French toast, and homemade biscuits with white gravy are some of the stars on the menu.
PCB pairs fresh Gulf seafood with front-row sea views right on the sand
Iconic Beachfront Eats & Casual Seafood
- Pineapple Willy's: A PCB institution since 1984, with an open-air pier overlooking the sand. Go for the famous Jack Daniel's BBQ ribs, served in a souvenir sandcastle bucket, or, for a coastal flavor, order the Mahi-Mahi sandwich, Gulf shrimp, or grouper. Also make sure to try the frozen Pineapple Willy.
- Schooners: Right on the sand, Schooners has been a PCB favorite since 1985, with crab cakes, Drunken Shrimp, grouper, oysters, and live music. Stick around for sunset, when the daily cannon sends off the sun with a bang.
- Runaway Island: Featuring broad outdoor decks facing the Gulf, Runaway Island is famous for its seafood dishes, steaks, and frozen drinks. They also host weekly trivia, karaoke, and live music performances.
- Dusty's Oyster Bar: This old-school Front Beach Road raw bar specializes in fresh Gulf oysters served raw, baked, or steamed. Not an oyster person? Grouper sandwiches, shrimp baskets, fish tacos, and cold beer are also on deck.
The main dining room of Firefly, a fine-dining option
Fine Dining
- Firefly: Its main dining room revolves around a large oak tree covered in tiny lights. The menu features Gulf seafood, steaks, and sushi, with favorites including She Crab soup, seared grouper, and filet mignon. A great pick for a romantic dinner.
- The Grand Marlin: Set beside Grand Lagoon, The Grand Marlin is all about waterfront dining with a stellar seafood menu. Fresh-shucked oysters come straight from the raw bar, and dishes like Grouper Piccata, yellowfin tuna, and crab cakes are among the main draws. For the best seat, choose the outdoor patio and time your visit around sunset.
"Across-the-Bridge" Favorites
A short drive across the bridge to Historic St. Andrews is worth it for more locally owned restaurants. Great picks include Hunt's Oyster Bar (running since 1966), Captain's Table, and The Grocery Kitchen and Taproom, occupying a 110-year-old former grocery store with two bars, cocktails, craft beer, small plates, and courtyard seating.
PCB is famous for its beachfront bars and clubs
Nightlife, Bars & Beach Clubs
- Tootsies Orchid Lounge: A large three-level beachfront venue on Front Beach Road with a great lineup of live country and rock music.
- Coconut Charlie's Beach Bar: Frozen cocktails, tiki drinks, live music, and Gulf views are the main draw at Coconut Charlie's. Grab a table on the beachfront deck and time your drink for sunset.
- Other bar highlights: For live rock, try The Salty Goat Saloon. The Liq is the local dive-bar pick, and Splash Bar is a go-to for a vibrant dance floor and weekend drag shows. Patches Pub and Grill on Thomas Drive is a more laid-back neighborhood option for pizza, wings, and cold drinks.
Entertainment, Family Attractions & Rainy-Day Options
The SkyWheel, a large Ferris wheel located at Pier Park in Panama City
Pier Park & Outdoor Entertainment Hubs
- Pier Park Shopping & Dining: PCB's big open-air entertainment hub, with more than 120 stores, restaurants, an IMAX movie theater, and more. It's a great plan for big groups where half want to shop and the other half want entertainment and dining.
- PCB SkyWheel Complex: Get above the coastline aboard the PCB SkyWheel, a 200-foot climate-controlled observation wheel. Back at ground level, the complex also includes an 18-hole mini-golf course and a three-story aerial ropes course.
The upside-down, classic-style building of WonderWorks PCB
Rainy & Double-Red Flag Day Backups
- WonderWorks: You'll recognize WonderWorks by the enormous upside-down building. Inside, more than 100 hands-on science exhibits share space with laser tag, a glow-in-the-dark ropes course, and motion rides.
- Ripley's Believe It or Not!: Shrunken heads, optical illusions, strange artifacts, a mirror maze, and a moving theater make Ripley's one of PCB's quirkier indoor options. There's also an Impossible Laser Race for anyone ready to test their reflexes.
- Funland Arcade: Play vintage and modern games, collect tickets, and trade them for prizes. The attached diner is popular for inexpensive breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Man in the Sea Museum: Learn about the history of diving and underwater exploration through exhibits featuring vintage diving suits, submersibles, commercial equipment, and the US Navy's Sealab 1.
Shopping locally is a great way to support the local economy in PCB
Local Shopping, Boutiques & Artisan Finds
- Turtle Girls & Beach House Market: For something more interesting than a generic souvenir, visit Turtle Girls, where local artisans produce wooden fish from hurricane-salvaged timber, shell mosaics, jewelry, and coastal home pieces.
- Sister Kate's – Fashion + Home: Women's fashion, resort wear, accessories, and home decor under one roof. It's a good stop for a vacation outfit, gift, or something coastal for the house.
- Mermaids & Moonbeams Treasure Gallery: This Front Beach Road shop stocks beach decor, shell crafts, jewelry, glass ornaments, and plenty of lovely mermaid-themed finds.
- Shipwreck LTD: Surf gear, swimsuits, beachwear, shoes, hats, towels, and souvenirs fill the corridors of this famous store. If you forgot something for the beach, there's a good chance it's here.
Essential Local Insider Tips & Logistics
Grocery Shopping Guide (Avoiding the Crowded Walmart)
- Publix Super Market: A reliable all-rounder for fresh produce, meat, and weekly BOGO deals.
- Carousel Supermarket: This Laguna Beach institution is a more local option, known for quality meat, wine, groceries, and local tuna dip.
- Aldi: A great choice for pantry basics, cheeses, and lower-cost groceries.
- Winn-Dixie: Check the weekly circular for deals, particularly the meat markdowns on Tuesdays.
Beach Safety, Flags
Check the flags before entering the Gulf. Conditions change, and the system is there for a reason. Here how it goes:
- Double Red: Water closed to the public due to extreme hazards or surf.
- Red: High hazard, including strong rip currents and high surf.
- Yellow: Medium hazard with moderate surf or currents.
- Green: Low hazard and calmer conditions.
- Purple: Dangerous marine life present.
Spring Break Alcohol Regulations
Visiting in March? Keep this one in mind. Open alcohol containers are prohibited on Panama City Beach beaches for the entire month.
Russell-Fields Pier offers great fishing and views of the Gulf of Mexico
Pier Access
- Gulf Piers: For a long walk over the Gulf, head to Russell-Fields City Pier or M.B. Miller County Pier. Both extend roughly 1,500 feet over the water and are popular for fishing, Gulf views, and sunset walks.
- Rick Seltzer Park: This is one of PCB's most practical public beach access points. The 4.75-acre park has free parking, restrooms, boardwalks, and outdoor showers.
Transportation
A car is the most practical option for exploring different sections of PCB. Golf carts are popular in permitted areas. Pier Park and a few individual pockets work well on foot, but the destination as a whole is fairly spread out.
One final local tip
Don't spend the entire trip on Front Beach Road. Give yourself time for a state park, an afternoon across the bridge, a local breakfast, and at least one long sunset on the sand. That's where things get more local.
See You on the Sand!
We hope this guide leads you to a few new favorite spots across Panama City Beach.
Planning your next trip? Emerald Coast Retreats offers a handpicked collection of PCB vacation homes built for comfort and carefree beach days.