We are planning a trip to Panama City Beach this year. We have two children, 2 & 4, who are big water babies, so we'd like to go somewhere that they can really enjoy the ocean. We decided on PCB because I was thinking the teen crowd would be gone and I'd love to return to Shell island. Basically we don't want to spend our entire vacation in our van so we want to go to an area where the beaches are nice with clear water (i know this depends on weather though) and somewhere where there's resaurants, non fast-food AND fast-food, within walking distance.(We do plan on driving for non-swimming/eating activities though) We also plan on making a drive to Ocala for Silver Springs- I love it there too. So I was wondering, how the crowds are in Sept? Weather? Any suggestions on places to go or other areas we may like better than PCB? Last time I was there I hated it because there were teenagers EVERWHERE and seaweed all in the water but some family members went there last Sept and said they loved it. We've been to FL quite a bit but usually end up on the east coast but this year we need calmer water for my boys and I want to see the sunSET! : ) Thanks

Donna

PCB is very crowded this time of year! Very crowded..it is high season in the Panhandle in summer. If you are set on the Panhandle, then drive over to the Seaside area/Grayton Beach areas...much less crowded.
If you are looking for less crowds on the beach and already going to Ocala..why not drive 2 hours over to Pinellas County and check out Caledesi Island or Honeymoon Island..it is not season right now and the beaches are decent (although not the sugar white sand of the Panhandle!) Anyway, Have fun and enjoy whatever ya decide to do!

Hi. When my children were younger we often visited PCB in September. Once Labor Day is past the crowds disappear but the beach is still great and restaurants and other activities are still open. Rates are much cheaper then, too, for nice lodging. Pool
and ocean water are still warm for swimming. Even though this is technically hurrican season we never had a problem with the weather. I think you would have a great vacation.

Welcome to Florida! I live in Ocala Florida and have all my life. It's a small city but very beautiful. I don't know much about Panama but some other nice beach areas are Ormond Beach on the east coast and St. Augustine. They are both very 'kid friendly' areas and St. Augustine especially has a lot of shops, restaurants and a slower pace that is more family oriented and the Castillo de San Marcos fort is the oldest European built fort in the U.S. and the whole family can enjoy it.
If you do stop in the Ocala area and see Silver Springs, stop by some of our springs about 10 miles east of Silver Springs Park. We have many to choose from and the water is always cool but it's crystal clear and children love it. Good luck!

The Westcoast of ZFlorida has beautiful beaches. Clearwater/St Pete have wide soft sandy beaches. They can get pretty crowded. Honeymoon Island is a really pretty place to go for a day at the beach. Very natural with a bike trail, picnic area and rocky/shelly beaches. Bring beach shoes! Same with Fort Desoto, but not as hard on the feet!