Panama City Beach, Florida

[b2bailey]

I'm planning a trip with family, with 3 granddaughters, ages 3 to 6, mid March. Any hints, suggestions for visiting this area of Florida?
We'll be staying at Wyndham timeshare.

 

[joestein]

No, but please let us know what you think of the area. I am heading there in June on a Lattitude Getaway at Lattitude Margaritaville Watersound - which I think is the same as or next to PCB.

I do know there is some sort of outdoor restaurant/entertainment area - I think it is called pier park or something, but it is not on a pier - but runs on both sides of a road that is perpendicular to the ocean.

 

[dioxide45]

We went last year in March. Be prepared for the Spring Break scene. There were lots of college age people in Panama City Beach. We stayed at the Club Wyndham Panama City Beach and didn't really have any issues at the property, though restaurants and such around town were very busy. Especially around Pier Park. If you like Mexican/Tex-Mex, we really liked Los Rancheros Mexican Restaurant. They have several locations in the area.

 

[b2bailey]

We went last year in March. Be prepared for the Spring Break scene. There were lots of college age people in Panama City Beach. We stayed at the Club Wyndham Panama City Beach and didn't really have any issues at the property, though restaurants and such around town were very busy. Especially around Pier Park. If you like Mexican/Tex-Mex, we really liked Los Rancheros Mexican Restaurant. They have several locations in the area.

I had wondered about Spring Break for colleges. Google says majority observe 3/14 to 3/21. Hopefully we'll escape the worst of it,
since we arrive 3/22. Here's hoping for some warm weather.

 

[fillde]

Visit route 30a. It’s a great road with different small towns that ends in Destin. The Truman Show was filmed in Seaside. Many beaches along the way. If you like to bike there are some nice paths along the way.

 

[Talent312]

Once, while lounging in a pool at a Panama City Beach resort, it became readily apparent why Florida's panhandle is sometimes called the Redneck Riviera. Just about everyone I spoke to was from Alabama, Mississippi or far off Tennessee. Not that there's anything wrong with that. But their favorite sports teams were the Tide, Rebels or Volunteers. <sigh>

 

[b2bailey]

Once, while lounging in a pool at a Panama City Beach resort, it became readily apparent why Florida's panhandle is sometimes called the Redneck Riviera. Just about everyone I spoke to was from Alabama, Mississippi or far off Tennessee. Not that there's anything wrong with that. But their favorite sports teams were the Tide, Rebels or Volunteers. <sigh>

The reason I chose Panama City Beach -- my California transplanted stepson and his family now live in Muscle Shoals, AL. My BFF moved to Nashville area to follow son and grandkids, so I'll be stopping there first.

 

[Tuggernaut]

I am in the Midwest, and I like seafood, so when I go to Florida, I seek out seafood. There is a longtime restaurant in Panama City called "Hunt's Oyster Bar and Seafood". We eat here every time that we are in the area. It is not a fancy place. I usually get the oysters. You can get them raw, fried, steamed, or baked. They also have other types of seafood plus chicken, etc... I'm sure that you could find something on the menu that your granddaughters would enjoy.

The northern half of Florida has many amazing natural springs suitable for swimming. The water is fresh water, about 70 degrees year-round, and usually very clear. It appears that one of the springs nearest Panama City is "Ponce de Leon Springs State Park". The entrance fee is $4 per vehicle. You may want to consider a morning or afternoon trip. Go on a weekday when it will not be crowded. https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/ponce-de-leon-springs-state-park

 

[am1]

Once, while lounging in a pool at a Panama City Beach resort, it became readily apparent why Florida's panhandle is sometimes called the Redneck Riviera. Just about everyone I spoke to was from Alabama, Mississippi or far off Tennessee. Not that there's anything wrong with that. But their favorite sports teams were the Tide, Rebels or Volunteers. <sigh>

If you listened to Flora-Bama even though it's further west you would know. Much better than Daytona this week.

 

[Laurie]

A few years ago we stayed at Landmark Beach Resort in Panama City Beach, and several times we walked across the road to Mike's Cafe and Oyster Bar, which we thought was very good, and reasonable. We did takeout so we could sit on our oceanfront balcony for dinner.

 

[marnazok]

I live in PCB and wanted to mention something in no previous comment.
Alcohol is prohibited on the beach during March. This is strictly policed.
Sunsets are spectacular, the beach sand is white and quite powdery. Use powder to get it off.
It is quite crowded in March due to colleges' Spring Break and can be chilly, so take a sweatshirt or sweater.
Have fun and stay safe!