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Panama City Beach

Panama City Beach History

   Panama City Beach is located in Bay County, which was named for the three bays that surround its shores. The city is bordered by West Bay and St. Andrews Bay to the north, and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, offering water activities from fishing and swimming to boating and a myriad of water sports. 
   The area near Panama City Beach has long been used for fishing and recreation. Native Americans and pirates populated the land until the early 1800s. Old Town St. Andrew was established around 1825 as a port city. Business floundered during the Civil War, but the economy rebounded in the late 1800s with the addition of lumber mills and increased fishing production.
  St. Andrews was renamed in 1905, when a New Orleans fruit company decided to relocate in Florida. The company sought a more-direct route to Panama, and although the contract eventually went to Tampa, the name "Panama City" stuck.
   After tourists discovered the region, Panama City Beach was founded in 1936. In later years, other beach communities merged with the city to form a single government. Today, "PCB" is a popular playground for Spring Break revelers and year-round residents.
   Panama City, which is located on the mainland, has more than 36,000 residents. The smaller city of Panama City Beach is just across the bay on a thin peninsula. Together, these cities form the hub of Bay County.

Activities

   There are several public beaches at Panama City Beach, offering a variety of water-related activities. Each day, thousands of beachgoers hit the white sands and emerald waters of this gulf-coast resort town, which teems with visitors during Spring Break.
   The most popular gathering spot may be St. Andrews State Park. Located three miles east of Panama City Beach, the 1,260-acre park has forests, sand dunes, marshes and a lagoon as well as 1.5 miles of beach. St. Andrews offers camping, fishing and boating as well as swimming, snorkeling and diving.
   For a different type of outdoor fun, head to Shipwreck Island, an outdoor water park offering dozens of rides and adventures.
   Gulf World Marine Park features a variety of marine animals, including dolphins, sea lions, sharks and stingrays. And Zoo World Zoological & Botanical Park has more than 350 species, including snow leopards, monkeys, snakes and reptiles. Both facilities are both entertaining and educational, offering hands-on experiences for animal lovers of all ages.
   There are several golf courses in the area, including the Holiday Golf Club, the Hombre Golf Club, Lagoon Legend, The Club Meadows and Signal Hill.
   Annual events include the Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally, the Gulf Coast Triathlon, the St. Andrew Fall Seafood and Pirate Fest, and the Boat Parade of Lights.

Panama City Beach Fast Facts

   Location: Panama City Beach is located along the Florida Panhandle, near Panama City.
  *Total area: 7.04 square miles (6.94 square miles land area; 0.10 square miles water area)
  *Population: 7,671
  *Housing units: 8,910
   Average annual rainfall: 64.76 inches
   Average temperatures: 80ºF in summer, 50ºF in winter
*Information provided by 2000 Census

Schools

   There are five public schools in Panama City Beach: three elementary schools, one middle school and one high school.
   Florida State University-Panama City and Gulf Coast Community College are also located in the city.

Homes

   There are a large variety of beach homes and condos available in Panama City Beach. Homes are available for year-round occupancy or vacation rental.

Maps of Panama City Beach

More Panama City Beach Photos
Photos by John Vanhara for CoastParadise.com

 
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