The I-10 sign to Pensacola Beach has a 1950s retro look, but the rental houses and hotels have a contemporary appearance and you have will access to a beach that is timeless.  It is located on Santa Rosa Island, a barrier island between the Gulf Coast and Santa Rosa Sound, which is part of the man-made Intercoastal Waterway.  

 

The 18-mile-long beach, which includes the Gulf Islands National Seashore, is awesome.  Brilliant white sand with hilly sand dunes and a gorgeous Gulf of Mexico shoreline that is largely undeveloped except for driveways to the shore and picnic areas.  There are two dog parks for your furry friends.

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The west end is lined with large two-story homes on pilings on the Gulf side and commercial development and condominiums on the canal side.

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Gulf Islands National Seashore

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The national park starts at Pensacola Beach and ends at Navarre Beach.  The Footprints in the Sand Eco Trail runs along the beach, which is the environment for ghost crabs, coquina clams, and the mole crab (sand flea).  Sea turtles nest on the beach at night during the summer.  In the water, you are likely to see dolphins and a variety of birds fly above, including the black skimmer.  Educational postings help you identify plants, animals, birds, and other creatures you might encounter, such as the Perdido Key mouse.

 

But stay out of the water at dawn, dusk, and at night because that’s when sharks are most likely to be active.

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There’s a park development at Opal Beach. Entrance is $20 per car into the national park. Less for pedestrians and folks on bicycles ($10) and motorcycles ($15).  Annual passes for seniors cost $20.  Active military get in free.

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History

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Settlement of the area in 1559 predates the establishment of St. Augustine, Florida, which is considered by many to be the first permanent settlement by Europeans in North America, established in 1565.

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There are two interesting sites to visit – Fort Pickens and The Island Cross.

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Fort Pickens, one of four forts built to protect Pensacola, was completed in 1834 and remained in use throughout the American Civil War and until the end of World War II, when coastal defense became obsolete because of the rise of air defenses. You can take self-guided tours through the fort, which was used to house Apache prisoners, including the most famous, Geronimo. 

 

Other area forts are Fort Massachusetts on Ship Island, constructed in 1857; Fort Barrancas, a brick structure that sits on a bluff overlooking the entrance to Pensacola Bay, completed in 1844;  and Fort McRee, a three-story brick fort completed in 1839 that was also known as the “Castle on Foster’s Island” and sat near Perdido Key but no longer exists.  Fort McRee was severely destroyed by bombardments during the Civil War.

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The Island Cross

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The Island Cross towers 10 feet into the air and is made of cast concrete.  It was placed on Pensacola Beach on the south side of Fort Pickens Road in 1959 to commemorate the first Christian mass held in what is now the United States.  It was erected by the Knights of Columbus to celebrate establishment of the first North American European settlement after the landing of ships commanded by Don Tristan de Luna of Spain. A hurricane led to the abandonment of the settlement three years later in 1562.

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Annual Events

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Bands on the Beach, April through October, every Tuesday at the Gulfside Pavilion, 7 to 9 p.m.

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Taste of Beach, on a September weekend.

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Pensacola Beach Songwriters Festival, in October.

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Art and Winefest, each October.

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Saint Paddy's Day Pub Crawl, each March usually 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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Pensacola Beach Crawfish Festival, on an April weekend.

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Pensacola Beach Air Show, each July. Blue Angels will perform.

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Sea Turtle Baby Shower, each August.m. Learn about sea turtles.

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Check out The Beach Guide for updated information.

 

Hotels and Resorts

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The Beachside Resort (formerly Days Inn), 16 Via de Luna Drive. 850-934-3300. A 123-room hotel on the Gulf of Mexico.  Two pools, on-site restaurant, free breakfasts.

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Hampton Inn Pensacola Beach, 2 Via de Luna Drive, 850-932-6800. This facility sits on the Gulf of Mexico and has 181 rooms, a pool, and free breakfasts.

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Hilton Pensacola Beach, 12 Via de Luna Drive, 850-916-2999.  This is a luxury resort hotel towering 17 floors with 275 rooms, fitness center, a beachfront pool, and two restaurants on-site.

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Holiday Inn Resort, 14 Via de Luna Drive, 850-932-5331. This is a true resort, with a Lazy River and pool, two restaurants on-site, and Kids’ Suites.

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Margaritaville Beach Hotel, 165 Fort Pickens Road, 850-916-9755. A bit removed from the other hotels, this facility sits directly on the Gulf Coast beach with 162 rooms and large pool. Water sports activities from beach chairs to scuba diving available.

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Paradise Inn, 21 Via de Luna Drive. 850-932-2319.  This motel fashions itself as “old Pensacola” and provides quaint rooms at some of the lower rental prices on the beach. There’s a pier for fishing or boating, a waterfront bar and grill, and a pool.  Pet-friendly rooms available.

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Portofino Island Resort and Spa, a Premier Island facility. 10 Portofino Drive, 850-916-5000.  This is a 28-acre resort with 300 luxury rooms, a fitness center, eight heated pools including an indoor one.  A bit pricey at over $300 a night, but you get free beach chair set-ups and a free round of golf.  Portofino also has condominiums to rent.

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Springhill Suites by Marriott, 24 Via de Luna Drive. 850-932-6000.  This on-the-beach facility has 117 suites with three beachfront pools, a fitness room, and a whirlpool.  Free breakfast is included in the reasonable prices; this hotel is geared toward the business traveler.

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Surf and Sand Hotel, 40 Fort Pickens Road. 850-934-5400.  This hotel has 100 rooms that overlook Little Sabine Bay. It has a pool with free beach amenities including paddleboards and kayaks. Free breakfasts. Rooms have water view but are not directly on the beach, though the beach is accessible from the property.

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Condominiums and Beach Houses

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Paradise Beach Homes, 27-29 Via de Luna Drive. 850-916-0777. This company offers houses, condos, and cottages for rent. They have properties on the Gulf of Mexico, Pensacola Bay, Santa Rosa Sound, and Sabine Bay. They also have homes and condos that don’t sit directly on the shore, but are only a few minutes walk to the beach. Some have pools and tennis courts. And some accept pets. 

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Pensacola Beach Properties, 50 Fort Pickens Road. 850-934-0099.  This rental company has houses and condominiums available, some on the beach and some minutes from the beach. The condos and some houses have swimming pools.

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Premier Island Management Group, 10 Portofino Drive. 877-484-3405. This group offers rentals in several condominium developments including Portofino Island Resort and Spa, Beach Club Towers, and Emerald Isle.

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ResortQuest by Wyndham Vacation Rentals, 731 Pensacola Beach Boulevard. 850-837-4853. This company represents several condominium and housing rental companies including Baywatch, Beach Club, Boardwalk Townhomes, Emerald Isle, Portofino Island Resort and Spa, Regency Towers and South Harbour.

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Soundside Holiday Beach Resort by Condominium Management Services, 19 Via de Luna Drive. 850-934-2500. This is single resort property with 28 two-bedroom, two-bath units. Each has a kitchen, washer and dryer, and screened in balconies. The resort is located on Santa Rosa Sound Beach and Pier. It offers a pool and access to the beautiful beaches of Pensacola Beach.

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Southern Vacation Rentals, 1591 Via de Luna Drive. 866-921-2794. This company offers a variety of rentals from condominiums to beach homes.  They represent Bay Watch, Beach Club, Beach Dunes, Blue Dolphin, Boardwalk Townhouses, Calle Bonita Townhomes, Crow’s Nest Cottage, Emerald Isle, Gulf Winds, La Bahia, Lazy Urchin Seaclusion, Pelican’s Perch, and more.

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Beach Bum BB Luxury Vacation Rentals, 22A Via de Luna Drive. 850-203-8052. They partner with beach home owners and condominiums to provide a variety of choices for rental. They represent properties in several of the developments, including Sabine Yacht Club.

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​​​​​​​Where to Eat

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For a complete list of restaurants, check out The Beach Guide.

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​​​​​​​Fishing

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For a complete list of fishing charters, go to Fishing Booker.   And you can fish from the Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier and Observation Post, a 1,471-foot pier into the Gulf of Mexico at 41 Fort Pickens Road. 850-934-7200.

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​​​​​​​Scuba Diving

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The closest dive shop is Bay Breeze Dive Center at the eastern end of Pensacola Beach in Gulf Breeze, Florida. The address is 49 Gulf Breeze Parkway. Call 850-934-8363.

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​​​​​​​​Boat Rentals and Tours

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You’ll also have to go to Gulf Breeze for the closest rentals of boats, parasailing, and tours. Some of the companies offering these rentals are:

                Key Sailing, 400 Quietwater Beach Road, Gulf Breeze. 850-932-5520. They also offering parasailing and eco tours, including a dolphin cruise. They rent Hobie Outbacks and other kayaks.

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                Pensacola Beach Marina Charters, 655 Pensacola Beach Boulevard, Gulf Breeze. 850-932-0304. They rent pontoon boats and offer snorkeling cruises, dolphin cruises, and sailing trips.

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                Radical Rides, 444 Pensacola Beach Boulevard, Gulf Breeze. 850-934-9743. They rent kayaks, paddleboards, jet skis, and pontoon boats. And they’ll take you parasailing for a good thrill over the water.

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                Pensacola Beach Pontoon Rentals, 655 Pensacola Beach Boulevard, Gulf Breeze. 850-733-7371. Pontoon boats are their specialty.

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                Pensacola Fun Tours,  655 Pensacola Beach Boulevard, Gulf Breeze. 850-637-7843. They do tours to see dolphins and they’ll take you snorkeling. 

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                Float My Boat Rentals, 701 Pensacola Beach Boulevard. 850-449-7597. Rents pontoon boats.

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