Hi -- We think we've decided on Pensacola Beach for a vacation this July. Is the beach back to its beautiful state, post-hurricanes? Also, how "walkable" is the town? We're planning to stay at the Springhill Suites on the beach, and we're hoping to just walk to restaurants, if any are close enough, within a mile or so.Thanks!

Topping -- still hoping for replies.

Topping again -- any Florida people out there?

Hi kansasmom, I definitely don't want to discourage you from going to P. Beach but please be aware that it does not look great. The beach itself has been renourished so the sand is not as white as it used to be. The residential areas are a mess with a lot of houses being worked on or torn down. Most of the restaurants and hotels are up and running but there is construction everywhere. All of the restaurants are within walking distance of Springhill Suites except maybe Pegleg Pete's, but you can take the trolley there if you don't want to drive. Like I said, I don't want to discourage you from going but I didn't want to sugar-coat my reply either. If you have any other questions, just let me know!

Thanks for the reply! I know it is probably tacky of me to be asking about the state of the beach when people still don't have their homes back. Is the sand soft or is it full of debris? Is it brown or almost white? How is the beach in Gulf Shores, AL as a possible alternative? Destin/Fort Walton was so crowded when we were there last; we are hoping to go somewhere more relaxed.

The sand has been sifted and is definitely not brown. In fact, if you didn't grow up there like I did, you probably won't notice that it's not as white as it used to be (and still is in the undeveloped national seashore). Honestly, if I had to choose between Gulf Shores and P. Beach I would definitely go with P. Beach. Even with the construction I think you'd enjoy it. They have come a long way to get the core area cleaned up and that's where I'm sure you'll spend a majority of your time. And I agree with you about Destin/FWB being way too crowded. A few restaurants within walking distance of Springhill Suites would be Flounder's, Sidelines, Paradise Grill, Hemingway's and Crabs. There are also several shops nearby and a liquor store.

Thanks. I appreciate your advice and suggestions.

kansasmom,

Sorry not to have answered sooner. We spent the 3 day weekend working on our house so I didn't have the "umph" left to check Fodor's each day.

I think AustinTraveler has given you sound and honest info. One side note to the beach renourishment is that we now have some seashells to beachcomb for. Not necessarily there every day and rarely anything very big, but more than we used to have. And the sand is still whiter than you'd find at most beaches.

And it's not tacky to ask about the state of the beach for a number of reasons. One, you're spending what I presume is your hard-earned money for a what you hope will be an enjoyable vacation. It's prudent to get the facts. Two, tourism is the life-blood of the beach. We need and want visitors to return, but we want them to leave happy, so they'll come back again.

In addition to the restaurants AustinTraveler mentioned there are a few smaller, sandwich shop type places in the general core area. Also, the Market on the Island, across the main drag from Hemingway's, is a nice little grocery store which has great, reasonably priced sandwiches and daily lunch specials. They also serve breakfast, which can be one of the more difficult meals to locate without leaving the Island.

Hope this helps. Feel free to ask more, or for updates as the time for your trip gets closer. Hurricanes not withstanding, I still feel Pensacola Beach is my personal paradise and have plans to live here until, as I told my neighbor/best friend, "they put me in a home."

FF

Thanks, floridafran. I think we'll go to Pensacola Beach in July. I truly hope, for the sake of all the people along the coast, that we have a very light hurricane season in 2006!

kansasmom,

Just checked and saw that the Blue Angels airshow is the weekend of July 15/16. If you don't already have your reservations at Springhill, I hope this doesn't fall during the time you plan to come. In the past - when we still had plenty of rooms and condos - that weekend was always a sellout. It was last year as well, even though there were far fewer places for people to stay and the crowds were a little lighter. If your trip does encompass that weekend, call ASAP to get your room if one is still available.

Thanks for the good thoughts regarding the 2006 hurricane season. It's a sentiment I hear everywhere I go.

FF

Thanks again -- I had wondered about that. We'll be coming over July 4 weekend, which I know can also be very busy, but it is the only time all summer when we have a week-long break between my kids' ballgames!

Four families from Kansas looking for a fun beach for our college students and us the last week of March. One family is suggesting Destin. Our husbands will golf and the Mom's will just sit by the pool/beach. My main question is whether the water is warm enough to attract lots of college students the last week of March? I don't want disappointed teens/college students with nothing to do.