Panama City Beach, FL, USA
“the worlds’s most beautiful beaches”
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Is this giving anyone 90’s Spring Break? I never got the full PCB Spring Break experience. Probably for the best. But, this is one of those spots on the Gulf that has its allure…and for good reason. Beautiful white sand beaches, local beachy feel, the kind of blue colored water that makes your jaw drop. Of course, with it, comes the expected Margaritaville, Alvin’s Surf Shop and Sharky’s. There is something for everyone - so you do you!
Getting There
If you are flying into Panama City Beach, the closest airport is Northwest Florida Beaches, International Airport. It is about a 20 minute drive to Panama City Beach and is a small airport that is easy to navigate. They have a handful of car rental options available. You could also use Pensacola International Airport (West of PCB) or Tallahassee International Airport (East of PCB) as your arrival point, but if so, plan for about a two hour drive into PCB from both locations.
If you are driving to PCB then I’m sure you’ve got a trusty map that will be much more efficient at giving you directions than I could!
PCB in a Day
My husband and I spent a quick day in the area. We didn’t really have a plan and wanted to explore once we got there. Friendly reminder to embrace spontaneity if you don’t have a plan! Easier said than done sometimes, I get it, but don’t let lack of planning paralyze you - just go for it! Here’s how the day played out.
We arrived in PCB midday, so we stopped for lunch at Lotus Cafe and Juice Bar. This is a great place for healthy eats and garden vibes. I’m a sucker for a good ambiance, and their outdoor seating, garden pond and foliage hit the mark, even on a rainy day. From there we decided to explore a bit by car because of the rain and ended up doing a loop that took us all the way to Seacrest Beach and back down through PCB. This was actually a really great route and could be done via foot or bike as well.
We then found ourselves at the very eastern end of PCB, which is the entrance of St. Andrews State Park. There is a fee for entrance, but we decided to go for it, and I am so glad we did!
To Note: It is an $8 entry fee for all vehicles. There are discounts available for disabled veterans or other qualifying veterans. It is full price for active duty members and their families, but discounts are available for yearly state park passes. You can check out more info about park entrance here. Also, there was quite a bit of construction upon entering and throughout the park in preparation for the busy summer months.
Once you are in the park, I encourage you to simply explore and see where it takes you! There are lots of options, especially depending on what time of year you go. It is still chilly in FL in February, so we weren’t planning to swim or get out on the water. Because of that, we parked at the lots behind the restrooms just south of the St. Andrews Kayak Launch. We walked a loop starting east of the parking lot, all the way around Sandy Point, south to the jetties on the Gulf and then back up the road to the parking lot.
Take a Moment to Wonder
This loop was so beautiful. Not only was I blown away by how clear the water was and the hues of blue, but the sand is so white and fluffy! Perfection. On top of that, there were so many whole shells in pristine condition. All of their unique designs reminded me of snowflakes. Each with their own beauty.
St. Andrews State Park, Panama City Beach, FL, USA
After being mesmerized by the stillness of the ocean for a hot minute, we made our way back to the car, brushed off sandy feet, and headed toward pre-dinner drinks. In classic Spring Break hot spot fashion, there are many places to choose from depending on your taste and vibe - I’ll let you decide for yourself.
We took our time here and then decided to head west for seafood. Spoiler alert - we struck out twice on finding a spot for dinner. It’s all part of the adventure (and exploring in the off-season)! First try was at a small spot called Reel Em In’ Seafood in Seacrest. The internet said they were open, but unfortunately they were closed. Everything looked delicious though - maybe next time! Second try was Goatfeathers on 30A. We were on the hunt for Royal Reds, and they had them…but not as a platter. Moving on. We hit the jackpot at a small place back in PCB called Local Steamer. It was everything we wanted. We smashed two platters with no shame. If you like seafood and are looking for a classic, low country boil style platter - this didn’t disappoint.
We departed from Panama City Beach that night with full bellies and happy hearts! Let this be a simple reminder that even on rainy, spontaneous, twice-squashed dinner plans days there is still so much beauty and joy to behold!
Now, go and wonder!
:) Clara