See the Gulf of Mexico’s azure blue waters and white sandy beaches, live oaks, sea oats, towering sand dunes, boardwalks, boating, and restaurants.
This 3.5-hour, 103-mile drive never drifts far from the famous blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico and its string of white sandy beaches. The long drive showcases rows of live oaks and the sporadic tourist strip. Since this drive begins in Pensacola, home to a historical naval air station, stop by the Pensacola Historical Museum for an in-depth look at the town’s colorful history. You’re in for a taste of the real South, at Seville Square (between S. Alcaniz and E. Government), one of Pensacola’s three historic districts.
Going east, Main Street (U.S. 98) passes Pensacola Harbor and spans the 3-mile long Pensacola Bay Bridge
heading into Gulf Breeze. The road forks, at this point, and you can continue east on U.S. 98 through the Naval Live Oaks area, part of the 150-mile long Gulf Islands National Seashore. You can also pick up Route 399 to Santa Rosa Island, a barrier island, offering miles of unspoiled shoreline that is the natural habitat of sea oats, live oaks, and towering sand dunes. The two roads meet again in Navarre, the start of the thriving tourist industry which includes hotels, restaurants, condos, boardwalks, and beach life, stretching all the way to Panama City. Past Fort Walton Beach, U.S. 98 intersects back onto Santa Rosa Island, where the Choctawhatchee Bay Recreational Area offers boating and swimming.
As you cross the mouth of the bay, the road proceeds into Destin, a haven for charter fishing boats. Continuing east beyond Sandestin is a detour onto Route 30A, which boasts a twenty-mile jaunt past pine forests, scenic lakes, and old Florida towns. Stop off along the way at the Grayton Beach State Recreation Area and Seaside, a planned resort village that highlights picturesque pastel cottages. Beyond Seaside, Route 30A rejoins U.S. 98 for the final stretch into Panama City, which is best known for its 27 miles of lovely beaches.
Starting Point:
Pensacola, FL
Distance of Drive:
103 miles
Must Eat:
Hopkins Boarding House
900 N. Spring St., Pensacola, FL 32508
Phone: 850-438-3979
Call ahead to confirm hours of operation.
Best Time of Year for Drive:
All seasons
Points of Interest on Drive:
Gulf of Mexico
Pensacola Historical Museum
Seville Square
Pensacola Bay Bridge
Gulf Islands National Seashore
Santa Rosa Island
Grayton Beach State Recreation Area and Seaside
Tagged with: beach • best time:yearround • Florida
Filed under: Best Road Trips