Paradise... in the Panhandle

Florida's Great Northwest Coastal Region, commonly known as the Panhandle, is the epitome of the American South. Red sunsets, white beaches and Blue Angels. They are as down home as barbecue and iced tea and as classically elegant as wood-grilled shrimp and white wine.
Although much of the state has been developed, one coast remains a sanctuary for visitors seeking unblemished shorelines and pure-white sand beaches. Deemed the Panhandle, it was given this nickname due to its shape, which resembles a handle on the rest of the state. It is home to cypress swamps, hardwood forests, upland glades and wildlife such as Florida's black bear and the peregrine falcon.

Receive new listings Daily click now

Our Toll Free Number 866-677-3016

Search for homes by price click HERE!

Pensacola
Pensacola/Pensacola Beach/Perdido Key
Nestled in the westernmost corner of Florida's Panhandle is Pensacola, America's first settlement. After changing hands more than a dozen times in actions involving Spain, France, England, the Confederacy and the United States, Pensacola received the nickname, "City of Five Flags." These influences, both cultural and culinary, evolved Pensacola into the city it is today. Fort Barrancas, Fort Pickens, archaeological trails and historical museums take guests to years past, allowing visitors to retrace this early history.
The popularity of Pensacola has increased with visitors choosing to vacation here not only because of the pristine white sands that line the beaches, but the climate which averages 343 days of sunshine per year and a year-round average temperature of 75 F. For more information on Pensacola or a calendar of events, call toll free 1-800-874-1234 or (850) 434-1234 or visit www.visitpensacola.com.

THESE EMERALD GREEN WATERS ARE HOME TO DOLPHINS AND LOGGERHEADS

Outdoor Activities
Fish off the 1.5-mile-long Pensacola Bay Fishing Bridge, which parallels a three-mile bridge linking the mainland to the town of Gulf Breeze. The Florida sunshine matched with plentiful bodies of freshwater and the Gulf of Mexico make the Pensacola area a fishing paradise. Windsurf, snorkel or scuba in the Gulf or Pensacola Bay, canoe through the Blackwater River State Recreation area or camp at dozens of sites throughout the region. Bikers, walkers, joggers and in-line skaters can enjoy a 40-mile loop that varies between a separated path and paved shoulder, including 25 miles of nearly unbroken path.
Perdido Key, considered the "lost key", is a secluded strip of white sand found in the Northwest Panhandle on the Alabama border. This barrier island has become a sanctuary for those seeking solitude including the many dolphins and loggerheads that call this area home. For additional information call the Perdido Area Chamber of Commerce at (850) 492-4660 or visit www.perdidochamber.com.
Although fishing is encouraged throughout the Panhandle, licenses are required for both fresh and saltwater species. For more information call toll free 1-888-FISH-FLORIDA.

Cultural Interests
Due to the location and transportation connections through both the seaport and railroad, Pensacola has long drawn the interest of immigrants attracted to this local area. The prime waterfront property also drew interest from a Navy Yard, which today has evolved into the dazzling Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Team and the National Museum of Naval Aviation.
Come celebrate a Greek Festival, or a native Creek Pow-Wow that includes traditional native food dishes, or the Fiesta of Five Flags festival which celebrates the Spanish and Creole heritage. If it's a big party you're seeking plan your vacation during Mardi Gras. Pensacola is one of the country's original celebration sites, hosting family-oriented fun where crowds catch beads and moonpies tossed from floats and participate in various contests and culinary festivals.

STROLL AMONGST THE QUAINT, BEACHSIDE COTTAGES IN SEASIDE

Dining
The hardest decision to make when visiting the Gulf Coast is which seafood to taste first, whether it's pecan-crusted triggerfish, sauteed crab claws in creamy garlic sauce, or grouper prepared any way you like it. Historic Seville Harbor is located on the waterfront in downtown Pensacola, offering a number of dining opportunities. The Fish House is a hot spot for locals. Offering steak and seafood, they are most famous for their signature dish "Grits a Ya-Ya." The dish's name is derived from the Cajun belief that food can be so good it makes your mouth say ya-ya! and features grilled shrimp and mushrooms atop smoked Gouda cheese bits.
For lighter dining fare visitors will enjoy the atmosphere at McGuire's. When "Molly" made her first tip - a one-dollar bill - she tacked it to the back bar for good luck. Friends of the pub added to the collection and it soon became a tradition. Today you will see over $450,000 in dollar bills hanging from the ceiling throughout the pub. Patrons who sit in the main pub room and refuse to sing along with the Irish folk singer are cajoled to kiss the giant moosehead over the fireplace, so be prepared to pucker up! Celebrities like Bob Hope, Reba McIntyre and Brooke Shields have all dined at this award-winning establishment.

Fort Walton / Destin / Okaloosa Island
Named the Emerald Coast for its sugar-white sands and emerald-green waters, the Fort Walton and Destin area is simply a pleasure to visit. Surrounded by miles of docks and harbors, this destination is home to dolphins, neighboring fishing villages and endless waterfront activities. Deemed the "World's Luckiest Fishing Village," Destin's East Pass harbor boasts the largest and most elaborately equipped charter boat fleet in Florida. For fans of aviation, Elgin Air Force Base in Fort Walton is the largest in the free world, encompassing more than 450,000 acres and spanning three counties.

Activities & Culture
A golfer's paradise! The area boasts an incredible 1,080 holes to challenge any skill level. The popular golf courses of the Emerald Coast are reasonably priced and are regarded as year-round fun!
Northwest Florida's Emerald Coast is proud of many things and one of them is that simplicity is celebrated with nothing fancy; dancing dolphins, sand dollars, postcard-perfect sunsets and castles made of sand. Spend time visiting nature's playground in the Florida Caverns which are dripping with stalagmites. Florida's only limestone cavern winds through the underground for fascinating public tours.
Take the family to Gulfarium, one of America's original marine parks, currently home to Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, tropical black foot penguins and nurse sharks.
Those seeking a once-in-a-lifetime shopping experience will love Destin-Commons. This unique, open-air Town Center features upscale shopping, casual and fine dining, a 14-screen stadium-seating movie theater and is located in the heart of Florida's affluent Great Northwest.

Dining & Nightlife
More than 450 casual eateries, mostly bordering the gulf, bay and bayou, are simple in atmosphere yet spiced with character. Whether blackened, broiled or barbecued, this coast will serve you up some of the finest and freshest variety of seafood outside of Key West. Area nightlife ranges from tiki-hut hangouts to hot-spot nightclubs. Night-Town offers three different bars under one roof. Enjoy letting loose in the dance club, getting a little reckless in the rowdy saloon, or just kick back with a cold one in the Jimmy Buffet-style reggae bar.

Sea Oats and Sandcastles
Destin, Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa Island, which was once a pirate's playground, now hosts endless strings of fishing fleets and brilliant-white sands. The Destin area harbors more than 140 vessels that range from party boats to private charters. All offer deep-sea, inshore and bottom fishing for as little as $25 per half-day. Something different to try is underwater shelling, where brilliant-green finger and four-foot basket sponges flourish. Also prevalent are aqua and purple sea whips and reef clusters of white star and ivory tree coral. Bring a camera to the beach, the sun both rises and sets over the shores of Fort Walton and Destin!

Seaside / Walton County Beaches
Many are already familiar with Seaside, Florida - Jim Carrey's home in the Truman Show was filmed here. This 80-acre, unincorporated beach town is located on a half mile of sugar-white beach along the Gulf of Mexico. Beach cottages made available to tourists line the brick streets and a town center complete with shops and restaurants is all one needs for shopping — there are no large malls in Seaside. The residents of Walton County Beaches have a passion for the sand. The beaches here are considered the best because they are the most natural and have a large number of community organizations pitching in to protect them.
Visitors won't find souvenir shops, chain motels, amusement parks or honky tonk bars here, only the sound of the surf, making this 26-mile span of beaches the perfect, serene, Florida getaway.

Beyond the Dunes
The beaches of South Walton are known for being scenic, undeveloped landscapes. Approximately 25,000 acres is state owned, thereby protecting its natural condition. Eden State Gardens was once the site of a bustling turn-of-the-century lumber mill. Today it boasts elaborate gardens, gigantic Spanish moss-draped oaks and a reflection pool. South Walton's newest state park is Deer Lake. The pristine beach and lake areas are accessible via a stabilized road that leads to a picnic shelter and provides hikers with 1,700 acres of unmarked trails.

Panama City Beach
Visitors have been traveling to Florida to enjoy its beautiful beaches for centuries, however few shorelines can compete with Panama City Beach. Winning numerous awards for its beaches, the pure-white sand found here resulted from quartz crystals washing down from the Appalachian Mountains centuries ago. The crystals were bleached, ground, smoothed and polished until the Gulf of Mexico deposited the millions of grains on to the shoreline. Today Panama City Beach has become the hot spot for spring breakers in need of a sun-filled holiday before their next semester begins.

Activities
For an exotic animal journey venture into Zoo World. Featuring more than 300 animals and a tropical Botanical Park, visitors are thrilled to see endangered wildlife that includes big cats, reptiles and orangutans. Zoo World is also an active participant in The Species Survival Plan (SSP), established in 1980 by international zoological authorities.
Miracle Strip Amusement Park is a traditional, family-style amusement park offering rides and attractions from wild to mild.
Families looking for relief from the hot Florida sun will love Shipwreck Island Waterpark. This 500,000-gallon wave pool and 2,000-foot lazy river provides cool relaxation while the park's water-based thrill rides will get visitors' blood pumping!

Dining & Nightlife
For fresh seafood, Panama City Beach is a perfect destination. In fact, some restaurants even let visitors pick their entrée fresh off the boat. A heavy Cajun influence found in many recipes gives a savory bite of spice to the traditional gumbo and spicy crawdad entoufee. From Italian, Mexican or simple pub fare, your choices are endless.
When the sun goes down, Panama City Beach lights up. Every night you'll hear the ceremonial blast of a cannon as the sun dips below the horizon, celebrating the close of another beautiful day and the start of an exciting evening. Dance the night away to big band, jazz, rock 'n' roll and, of course, beach music.

Natural Wonders
Panama City Beach is home to one of the most popular outdoor recreation spots in Florida — St. Andrews State Recreation Park. The Gator Trail takes visitors to a beautiful vantage point that is ideal for spotting alligators and a variety of waterfowl, wading birds and small animals. Beachcombers won't want to miss a trip to Shell Island! This 700-acre island is underdeveloped and provides a peaceful spot for tanning or collecting shells. Shuttle boats carry passengers to the island for a small fee. Both divers and snorkelers will love the natural reefs that range in depth from 80 to 100 feet and are just a few miles offshore. The best way to enjoy the beauty of an area is from the sky! The Touchstone Energy Balloon Festival, in its third year, will host over 17 brightly colored and specialty shaped balloons on May 1-2, 2004. Along with viewing the balloons, patrons will also be able to purchase free-flight balloon rides for their own experience into the skies! The festival is held in Chipley, 45 minutes north of Panama City Beach.