PCB Fun Attractions
St. Andrew’s State Park
This is our favorite place to take people when they come to PCB. Beautiful beaches, great pier to walk out on, cool areas for hiking, has an alligator pond where 80% of the time we see a gator. Also has a fairly inexpensive shuttle out to Shell Island as well as rental of other items like kayaks. A trip to Shell Island is a must! If not on their shuttle, then rent a pontoon for a day and go! Entrance to the park is $8 per car load, up to 8 people per car I believe. The pier is my favorite place to watch sunsets. Bonus: sometimes if you are there at sunset/after dark, you can watch shark fishing!
https://www.shellislandshuttle.com/
Lagoon Pontoon
850-588-8700
This is our favorite place to rent pontoons. They even have double decker ones with a slide off the back! We like to take it over to Shell Island and then explore the bays for sand dollars and star fish. If you need tips on where to go, my hubby would be happy to help. They also have jet ski rental, and other tours available.
https://lagoonpontoon.com/
Capt. Anderson’s Marina
https://www.captandersonsmarina.com/
850-234-3435
Great way to go fishing without having to pay for a charter. They have larger “party style” boats and take big groups out to fish for the day. I think the trips are 5, 6 and 10 hours. They provide everything you need to fish, makes it super easy. People who don’t want to fish can also go along as a rider. They also have shuttles to Shell Island. Or they do smaller charters as well, but if you have anyone who wants a smaller charter, just text me and I will connect you with a local friend of ours.
30A area
30A is one of our must-see trips to take when we have visitors in town. 30A is a highway running along the Gulf Coast, which travels through several different special little planned communities/towns. Rosemary Beach, The Hub, Deer Lake State Park and Seaside are places we always stop to explore when we go on 30a. There are art galleries, shopping, restaurants galore, and so much more! Deer Lake State Park is a hidden treasure. There is a long boardwalk out to the beach through the dunes…breathtaking views! The link below is to a great website with lots of ideas on local attractions, not necessarily specific to 30A. The other is the link to Deer Lake State Park. Best thing to do is drive and stop along the way at whatever catches your eye.
https://www.30a.com/tours#attractions/state-Florida/city-South-Walton-30A
https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/deer-lake-state-park
Camp Helen State Park
850-233-5059
Cool park, but on the list for anyone who may want to kayak. If you are a beginner, this is a good place as you actually kayak on Lake Powell, which can be easier to navigate for first timers. The beach access here is a bit of a haul, but if you willing to walk it, there is a broken-down old pier that was featured in one of Luke Bryan’s videos. Neat hiking trails within the park as well.
https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/camp-helen-state-park
Pier Park
Great open-air shopping and entertainment area! Also where Sky Wheel is located. Paula Deen just opened a restaurant, serving food family style. Lots of great places to eat, shop and explore.
https://www.facebook.com/ShopPierPark/
Paradise Adventures Catamaran
Sunset catamaran tours. Lots of other fun activities as well, including a Paradise Adventure out to Shell Island. Great group activity options.
https://paradiseadventurespcb.com/
Sea Screamer
Fun, crazy boat ride at sunset. Also offer Snorkeling and Dolphin Tours.
850-235-3000
https://seascreamer.net/
Pirate Cruise
https://www.piratecruise.net/
850-234-7400
Good for kids! Pirate themed 2-hour cruise.
Sky Wheel PCB
850-888-0020
http://www.skywheelpcb.com/
Visit PCB website
Great website for information on all things PCB. Check it out!
https://www.visitpanamacitybeach.com/
Favorite Local Eating Places on the Beach Side
Schooners
Runaway Island (fish tacos)
Diego’s Burrito Factory
Andy’s Flour Power (a must for breakfast!)
David’s New Orleans Style Café & SnoBalls (great lunch spot! The roast beef po’boy is to die for)
Patches (taco pizza, yum!)
C Level
Christo’s
Hunt & Gather (nicest restaurant in PCB)
Saltwater Grill (Early Bird pricing/specials)
Captain Anderson’s
Firefly (#1 favorite “fancy” place on the beach…must have she crab soup if you go! Sushi menu is the bomb as well)
Gypsea Crepes (breakfast, yum)
The Grand Marlin (sautéed crab claws)
Juan Taco
Dat Cajun Place (if you like Cajun cuisine, this is the place)
Big Bad Breakfast (in Inlet Beach at the start of 30a, inside The Pointe, but if you are going to 30a, plan to eat breakfast here! My favorite is the biscuit with tomato gravy…drooling)
Activities Outside of PCB
Holmes Creek Canoe Livery
850-210-7001
Again, this one is a drive but a way to experience local, real Florida Panhandle life. The creek is full of beautiful springs, and little spots to stop and explore along the way. It’s a bit rough around the edges, but such a cool adventure for anyone wanting to explore!
https://holmescreekcanoe.com/#home
Wakulla Springs
850-561-7276
Anyone wanting to see manatees or lots of gators should make the drive to Wakulla Springs! This is natural Florida at its best. It is on the way to Tallahassee, so it is a drive, but it is so worth it! They have a river boat tour down that we have gone on about 10 times, lol! We always see gators, turtles, lots of local birds, and manatees!
https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/edward-ball-wakulla-springs-state-park