Can anyone tell me how the Pensacola Beach area is? Is there still a lot of construction going on in the area or on the beaches from repairs due to the hurricanes? My family and I would like to visit there in June but I would hate to get there and just see a lot of working going on. This would be our first time to the "panhandle" area of Florida! I really want to see that beautiful greeish/aqua colored water and white sand that I see in pictures! Thanks for any help!

ttt

chugaja,

I live at Pensacola Beach so I can give you pretty much an up-to-the-minute picture of conditions here.

Yes, there is still construction going on, but it isn't so much in the "core area" any more - which is where most of the hotels and restaurants are. Leave there and get into the residential sections and there is much more construction. Most of the severely damaged buildings have been torn down and the rest should be by June. The owners face a deadline and fines.

The beaches have been cleaned as much as is possible. There is no way they can remove every nail or shard of glass. But I walk the beach barefooted every chance I get and I haven't stepped on anything yet. The beach renourishment project is completed so the beach is wider again.

The Naval Aviation Museum at NAS Pensacola is open and free (except for the IMAX theater, it has a fee). On the Island (P'cola Beach) Fort Pickens is still closed - the road hasn't been repaired and won't be by June. The only way to get there is by boat, or a long bike ride that requires a section with pushing a bike through the sand.

All along the Panhandle the beaches are still white and the water is still that amazing color. Just which part you want to visit depends a lot on what kind of experience you're looking for.

Fort Walton and Destin are much more developed than Pensacola Beach. In many areas there you can hardly get the water, much less see it unless you're staying at a beachfront property. Pensacola Beach has fewer big complexes. It also has less in the way of activities for kids/teens.

We have a miniature golf place, jet skis, parasailing, hobie cat-type sailboats, and Quietwater Beach. This is the Soundside beach (North side of the Island) that is more or less a block and a half from the Gulf (South side of the Island). It's a great place for kids if the surf is kicking up. Calm, clear and lots of white sand.

Hope this helps. If there's anything else you want to know. Just ask.

Fran

Thank you Fran! That really helps a lot! It sounds like a great place for us! I just want to see the beautiful beach there, but not seem like I'm in the way of reconstruction or in a ghost town....and my husband would rather not be in the more developed areas (but it doesn't matter to me)! The pictures prior to the hurricanes were so awesome to me and I just want to see the beauty of the beaches! I have an 11 year old daughter and is just happy with a pool!!! LOL! Thank you so much for the input! If you have any reccomendations as where to stay or good places to eat,let me know! Thanks so much!

You're welcome.

Sorry to be so long answering. Hubby and I laid tile all weekend. Still putting our house back together from IVAN.

As far as places to eat-

1. Surf Burger - really good burgers and an "old Florida, real beach-type place"

2. Hemingways - a little pricier, but great food. Their lobster bisque is fabulous. Corn and crab chowder is darn good too. Wonderful grouper - either sandwich or dinner. Generous servings. We often share.

3. Flounders - nice atmosphere - classier looking inside than out, but the food is excellent. Huge portions.

3. Crabs - on the Gulf front - ask for an outside seat on the covered deck. Food is average or maybe a bit higher. When I eat here it's to take visitors to enjoy the view more than for the food.

4. The Market on the Island - not only is it a decent little grocery store (the only one on the Island) but they make wonderful sandwiches (Boar's Head meats and cheeses). Also one of the few places outside of the hotels where you can get breakfast.

5. Bagelhead's again really good sandwiches. I think they also have salads (I always get a sandwich).

6. Hooters - what can I say - it's Hooters - you either like them or you don't.

All of these are in the core area so they're easy walking.

Only one restaurant to the West, about a mile from the core area. Peg Leg Pete's. I consider the food average, other people just love the place. Maybe I'm jaded since it's only a block from my house and I've eaten there too many times since hurricane IVAN.

A little to the East of the core we have:

1 Inside the Hilton Garden Inn are a couple of restaurants. One, H2O, is rather upscale the other is more moderately priced. I haven't tried either one, however.

2 There are a couple of other small places down that way. Haven't been to one of them since they changed owners and haven't ever been to the other so I can't comment.

3 We also have a Subway in that area. No other fast food/franchise places on the Island. Across the bridge in Gulf Breeze you can find a McDonald's, Burger King, and Whataburger, as well as a TexMex place, a little Italian spot, and a German restaurant.

Go as far as Pensacola and the choices are too numerous to list here.

As for places to stay - are you looking for a motel/hotel or condo? The local C of C and Visitor's Center here on the Island keeps an updated list of who's already open and opening dates for many others. (850-932-1300, they probably have an 800 # as well but I don't know it.)

Hope this helps. If you have any other questions or need to know about a specific spot, ask. I try to check Fodor's every day, especially now since I'm planning our May trip out West.

Oh, I almost forgot. Normally by June they have the free trollys running. They cover most of the Island on the main drag both East and West. Can make it easy to get around without having to drive your car. I assume they'll be going again this summer.

Fran

Fran,
Sorry I didn't respond earlier...my husband and I had a constructoin job, out of town, (on the lake...yeah!!!)...but I was so anxious, when we got back, to see any responses to my post!!! Thank you so much for all the info you have given me!!! It will help alot! I have already made my mind up that Pensacola Beach is our destination this summer!!! All the information you have given me is a big help too!!! Thanks so much!!!! Please add any info at any time!!!! Thanks,
AMY!