Erica’s guidebook
Food scene
Thomas Donut & Snack Shop
19208 Front Beach RdAmazing donuts
Closest grocery store. It has almost everything I shop for. I go to Publix for a few specific vegan/organic items.
95 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Carousel Supermarket
19440 Front Beach RdClosest grocery store. It has almost everything I shop for. I go to Publix for a few specific vegan/organic items.
La Cocina serves our favorite Mexican food in the area. Plus we love to either walk from here to Rosemary to admire the architecture or access the nature trail that is a couple blocks behind the restaurant. Walk a couple blocks east and then a couple north to find the access to the trail.
53 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
La Cocina
10343 E County Hwy 30ALa Cocina serves our favorite Mexican food in the area. Plus we love to either walk from here to Rosemary to admire the architecture or access the nature trail that is a couple blocks behind the restaurant. Walk a couple blocks east and then a couple north to find the access to the trail.
Salty Sue's
17501 Panama City Beach PkwyA local favorite for BBQ.
Sightseeing
All the shopping and dining options you can imagine!
158 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pier Park Drive
Pier Park DriveAll the shopping and dining options you can imagine!
Camp Helen is our favorite place for nature walks and paddle boarding/kayaking. If you take the trail all the way out to the beach it is peaceful and less populated than any other beach and the kids can spend hours catching little crabs in the shallow part of Powell Lake where it meets the Gulf.
155 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Camp Helen State Park
23937 Panama City Beach PkwyCamp Helen is our favorite place for nature walks and paddle boarding/kayaking. If you take the trail all the way out to the beach it is peaceful and less populated than any other beach and the kids can spend hours catching little crabs in the shallow part of Powell Lake where it meets the Gulf.
Alys is a nearby beach town with architecture inspired by that seen in the Bahamas. We love to walk in this area and photograph the interesting doors and beautiful plants. There are also some nice restaurants here.
149 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Alys Beach
East Co Highway 30AAlys is a nearby beach town with architecture inspired by that seen in the Bahamas. We love to walk in this area and photograph the interesting doors and beautiful plants. There are also some nice restaurants here.
Amacebiso ngesixeko
Izinto omele uzipakishe
A few things to bring or buy
I can't recommend polarized sunglasses enough. Trust me! Its the only way to ensure you see the most beautiful water in the USA without dulling the colors. Bring an ocean safe sunscreen of SPF 70 or higher. The sun here is intense. Bring bug spray. We have had a wet fall followed by a mild winter, which creates ideal conditions for mosquitos to breed. We provide only a starter amount of trash bags, toilet paper, and paper towels, so you will need to buy some from a nearby store or bring them with you. You may wish to purchase charcoal and laundry detergent as well.
Amasiko nenkcubeko
Beach Safety and Rules
*Please check the flags before going into the gulf water. I always use the online system for Bay Co. because they don't always change the physical flags as fast as conditions can change. http://www.pcbgov.com/visitors/beach-warning-flags
*Here is more info on flags https://www.visitpanamacitybeach.com/things-to-do/beaches/beach-safety/
*Sun shelters are allowed on the beach, but it cannot be left overnight or they will take it.
No glass containers on the beach and please respect this amazing natural resource and leave no trace. That means filling in any holes dug to protect sea turtles.