Gulf Breeze & Pensacola Beach Guidebook
Beaches
The island has both social and secluded options
The island (Pensacola Beach) is a 10 minute drive from the apartment. The sand is so white and clean, the Gulf is warm, and it’s a peaceful way to spend your day! Besides swimming, I love to take walks and collect seashells and driftwood.
You can park for free in designated areas. If you want to join the party with other beachgoers, head to Casino Beach by the water tower that looks a beach ball. It’s very visible to your right after you arrive on the island - you’ll see a Ron John’s Surf Shop and boardwalk across from it on the left side of the road. There are bars and restaurants right on the water and Crab’s has a playground for kids.
If you prefer a more secluded spot, keep heading straight on the main road (past the hotels and houses) and you will start to see smaller parking lots on the Gulf. This road continues all the way to Navarre Beach, which is a less populated town compared to Pensacola.
Don’t forget sunscreen and drinks/snacks! A local tip is to avoid swimming at dusk or dawn, when larger fish and sharks tend to feed on small fish in the shallow waters.
554 locals recommend
Pensacola Beach
7300 Plantation RoadThe island (Pensacola Beach) is a 10 minute drive from the apartment. The sand is so white and clean, the Gulf is warm, and it’s a peaceful way to spend your day! Besides swimming, I love to take walks and collect seashells and driftwood.
You can park for free in designated areas. If you want to join the party with other beachgoers, head to Casino Beach by the water tower that looks a beach ball. It’s very visible to your right after you arrive on the island - you’ll see a Ron John’s Surf Shop and boardwalk across from it on the left side of the road. There are bars and restaurants right on the water and Crab’s has a playground for kids.
If you prefer a more secluded spot, keep heading straight on the main road (past the hotels and houses) and you will start to see smaller parking lots on the Gulf. This road continues all the way to Navarre Beach, which is a less populated town compared to Pensacola.
Don’t forget sunscreen and drinks/snacks! A local tip is to avoid swimming at dusk or dawn, when larger fish and sharks tend to feed on small fish in the shallow waters.
This is lovingly referred to as “mom beach” by locals. It’s comfortable for parents because the waters are calm, as opposed to the Gulf (most calm but can have days with waves and currents). It’s located on the intercoastal waterway between the island and Gulf Breeze.
50 locals recommend
Quietwater Beach Boardwalk
400 Quietwater Beach RdThis is lovingly referred to as “mom beach” by locals. It’s comfortable for parents because the waters are calm, as opposed to the Gulf (most calm but can have days with waves and currents). It’s located on the intercoastal waterway between the island and Gulf Breeze.
This park in Gulf Breeze has calm waters, picnic tables, and a volleyball court. Kids can swim here and it’s generally less crowded than the island’s beaches.
10 locals recommend
Shoreline Park
Shoreline ParkThis park in Gulf Breeze has calm waters, picnic tables, and a volleyball court. Kids can swim here and it’s generally less crowded than the island’s beaches.
Sightseeing
Unique to Pensacola Beach, FL
Fort Pickens is a historic site on the island that also has beautiful, natural views. It’s truly an amazing place to explore with your family and you can read about its origins there. They do charge for entrance and have passes that you can research through the National Park Service (nps.gov).
394 locals recommend
Fort Pickens
1400 Fort Pickens RdFort Pickens is a historic site on the island that also has beautiful, natural views. It’s truly an amazing place to explore with your family and you can read about its origins there. They do charge for entrance and have passes that you can research through the National Park Service (nps.gov).
This park has hiking trails, quiet beaches, picnic tables, and a small museum. It is about 15 minutes from the apartment.
29 locals recommend
National Seashore Visitor Center
1801 Gulf Breeze PkwyThis park has hiking trails, quiet beaches, picnic tables, and a small museum. It is about 15 minutes from the apartment.
Boating & Water Sports
Fishing charters, sailboat tours, pontoon rentals, jet skis, parasailing, dolphin cruises
This is the second location of the marina that is home to Sunset Harbor Loft. As a commercial marina, it offers fishing and boating charters, dolphin cruises (which are fun for all ages), sailing tours, pontoon rentals, and parasailing. There is also a bar & restaurant there (Cumaru Bar) and Coastal Coffee House is opening any day now. pieronemarina.com has all the info!
Pier One Marina
655 Pensacola Beach BlvdThis is the second location of the marina that is home to Sunset Harbor Loft. As a commercial marina, it offers fishing and boating charters, dolphin cruises (which are fun for all ages), sailing tours, pontoon rentals, and parasailing. There is also a bar & restaurant there (Cumaru Bar) and Coastal Coffee House is opening any day now. pieronemarina.com has all the info!
Parasailing is so much fun if you are looking for some adventure! Radical Rides also has jet skis.
45 locals recommend
Radical Rides
444 Pensacola Beach BlvdParasailing is so much fun if you are looking for some adventure! Radical Rides also has jet skis.
Jim & Cindy are friends of our family and they run an excellent business. They can take you out to look for dolphins and have an option to stop and do some exploring on a remote beach. We recently had a beautiful day with friends on their pontoon, The Jolly Dolphin. You can bring your own food and drinks on the boat (they provide ice) and our young children did great with the ride.
23 locals recommend
Jolly Sailing & Dolphin Cruise
655 Pensacola Beach BlvdJim & Cindy are friends of our family and they run an excellent business. They can take you out to look for dolphins and have an option to stop and do some exploring on a remote beach. We recently had a beautiful day with friends on their pontoon, The Jolly Dolphin. You can bring your own food and drinks on the boat (they provide ice) and our young children did great with the ride.
Pirate Paul can set you up with a pontoon if you want to get out on the water!
Pensacola Beach Pontoon Boat Rentals
Pirate Paul can set you up with a pontoon if you want to get out on the water!
Family Entertainment
Places geared towards kids
We love to go play mini golf here with the kids!
23 locals recommend
UFO's Mini-Golf, Ice Cream & Arcade
2 Via De Luna DrWe love to go play mini golf here with the kids!
This is about 15 minutes away, and it’s perfect for a rainy day with kids. It’s an indoor bounce house/gym that has open play hours for them to get their energy out!
The Funplex of Gulf Breeze
3123 Gulf Breeze PkwyThis is about 15 minutes away, and it’s perfect for a rainy day with kids. It’s an indoor bounce house/gym that has open play hours for them to get their energy out!
We visit this zoo all the time and love to feed the animals (you can feed birds, giraffes, and goats). It is down the highway - about a 25-30 minute drive.
266 locals recommend
Gulf Breeze Zoo
5701 Gulf Breeze PkwyWe visit this zoo all the time and love to feed the animals (you can feed birds, giraffes, and goats). It is down the highway - about a 25-30 minute drive.
This small library has a great kid’s section and is adjacent to a playground and recreation center. It’s about 5 minutes from the apartment.
Gulf Breeze Library
1060 Shoreline DrThis small library has a great kid’s section and is adjacent to a playground and recreation center. It’s about 5 minutes from the apartment.
The Breeze Cinemas 8
1233 Crane Cove BlvdMovie theater about 10-15 minutes away
Food scene
You can walk to Lillo’s from the apartment since it is inside the hotel next door. We love the chicken or eggplant Parmesan and the bruschetta!
17 locals recommend
Lillo's Tuscan Grille
51 Gulf Breeze PkwyYou can walk to Lillo’s from the apartment since it is inside the hotel next door. We love the chicken or eggplant Parmesan and the bruschetta!
This is our family’s favorite restaurant and our go-to for birthdays and other celebrations. We love the grouper piccata and brown butter scallops. They also make a great Pain Killer cocktail!
223 locals recommend
The Grand Marlin of Pensacola Beach
400 Pensacola Beach BlvdThis is our family’s favorite restaurant and our go-to for birthdays and other celebrations. We love the grouper piccata and brown butter scallops. They also make a great Pain Killer cocktail!
I get the street tacos here all the time. Pairs well with their huge margaritas! The staff is so friendly, too. I have always had a great experience here. It’s located in the same building as Wal-mart.
Xiscali Mexican Restaurant
348 Gulf Breeze PkwyI get the street tacos here all the time. Pairs well with their huge margaritas! The staff is so friendly, too. I have always had a great experience here. It’s located in the same building as Wal-mart.
Lao Ocean is a great spot to get a quick bite. Service is fast and the food is delicious!
6 locals recommend
Lao Ocean
368 Gulf Breeze ParkwayLao Ocean is a great spot to get a quick bite. Service is fast and the food is delicious!
Our family loves to eat here because the food is delicious and there’s open space for the kids to play.
87 locals recommend
Red Fish Blue Fish Pensacola Beach
5 Via De Luna DrOur family loves to eat here because the food is delicious and there’s open space for the kids to play.
Crabs
6 Casino Beach BoardwalkFlounders has its own beach on Quietwater Sound with volleyball, fire pits, lounge chairs, and a playground. They usually have live music on the weekends and also have indoor sections if you don’t want to be outside. If you’re feeling brave, order a Diesel Fuel!
216 locals recommend
Flounder's Chowder House
800 Quietwater Beach RdFlounders has its own beach on Quietwater Sound with volleyball, fire pits, lounge chairs, and a playground. They usually have live music on the weekends and also have indoor sections if you don’t want to be outside. If you’re feeling brave, order a Diesel Fuel!
Shan Kishi has our favorite local sushi and hibachi, and the ambience is calming there.
8 locals recommend
Shan Kishi Japanese Hibachi
804 Gulf Breeze PkwyShan Kishi has our favorite local sushi and hibachi, and the ambience is calming there.
Bars & Nightlife
It’s just down the stairs and you can bring your food and drinks back to your private deck if you want to people-watch!
30 locals recommend
The Bridge Bar and Sunset Lounge
33 Gulf Breeze PkwyIt’s just down the stairs and you can bring your food and drinks back to your private deck if you want to people-watch!
Cumaru Bar has food, drinks, and a great view! I like to sit close to the dock and watch the fishermen bring in their catches.
655 Pensacola Beach Blvd
655 Pensacola Beach BoulevardCumaru Bar has food, drinks, and a great view! I like to sit close to the dock and watch the fishermen bring in their catches.
I love the mango ceviche here, and it opens up onto the Gulf so the views are incredible. This is located on the island at the main public beach.
122 locals recommend
Casino beach
41 Fort Pickens RdI love the mango ceviche here, and it opens up onto the Gulf so the views are incredible. This is located on the island at the main public beach.
This local place can get wild! They have the best Bushwackers (a frozen drink native to Pensacola that tastes like coffee and ice cream). They have a great stage for live music!
41 locals recommend
Sandshaker Lounge
731 Pensacola Beach BlvdThis local place can get wild! They have the best Bushwackers (a frozen drink native to Pensacola that tastes like coffee and ice cream). They have a great stage for live music!
Home of my husband’s favorite hot wings! This is a good spot for watching sports and they also have a kids menu. Located on the island
Sidelines Sports Bar & Grill
105 Chesapeake Center CourtHome of my husband’s favorite hot wings! This is a good spot for watching sports and they also have a kids menu. Located on the island
This is a big, outdoor bar on the island that has a large selection of frozen drinks.
25 locals recommend
Bamboo Willie's Beachside Bar
400 Quietwater Beach RoadThis is a big, outdoor bar on the island that has a large selection of frozen drinks.
Local Shopping
This local surf shop has been around for decades and is within walking distance to the apartment (a sidewalk is available for the walk). You’ll find men/women/children’s clothing, shoes, sunglasses, surfboards, paddles boards, and skateboards there. They have another location at Casino Beach on the island if you’re interested in renting a board.
10 locals recommend
Innerlight Surf & Skate
6307 N 9th AveThis local surf shop has been around for decades and is within walking distance to the apartment (a sidewalk is available for the walk). You’ll find men/women/children’s clothing, shoes, sunglasses, surfboards, paddles boards, and skateboards there. They have another location at Casino Beach on the island if you’re interested in renting a board.
This is a really cute boutique clothing shop located about 5 minutes away from the apartment. It is next to a Publix.
Gibson Girl Boutique
816 Gulf Breeze ParkwayThis is a really cute boutique clothing shop located about 5 minutes away from the apartment. It is next to a Publix.