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Pensacola Beach

Pensacola Beach History

   Pensacola Beach is a beach lover's dream, offering an action-packed boardwalk and a variety of water-based activities. Even the local water tower is painted to look like a beach ball!
   Although the community shares its name with the large military city to the north, Pensacola Beach is actually closer to the city of Gulf Breeze. Gulf Breeze, which sits on the tip of the Santa Rosa Peninsula, is connected by bridge to Pensacola Beach, which itself sits on the western end of Santa Rosa Island. This 40-mile-long barrier island is surrounded by Santa Rosa Sound 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.
   In the 1800s, Santa Rosa Island served as a military stronghold for Pensacola Bay. Fort Pickens was built between 1829 and 1834 to protect the region, and while the city of Pensacola was seized by the Confederates during the Civil War, Fort Pickens remained under Union control. Fortifications were added in later years, and the facility briefly served as a prison where Chief Geronimo and several of his warriors were held.
   In 1970, the fort became part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, which was established through the National Park system. The seashore stretches 160 miles from Mississippi to the eastern tip of Santa Rosa Island. More than 80 percent of the seashore is under water, but the land areas provide ample opportunities for hiking, beach combing and wildlife viewing.
   Gulf Islands National Seashore remains a major draw for Santa Rosa Island. Many visitors pass through Pensacola Beach on their way to the seashore, but many return to the friendly beach community, which is home to the longest fishing pier on the Gulf of Mexico as well as dozens of entertainment and recreational opportunities.

Activities

   The Pensacola Beach boardwalk area faces the calming waves of Santa Rosa Sound, while the south end of the beach lies along the crashing surf of the Gulf of Mexico. The waters offer a variety of activities from swimming and surfing to boating and parasailing.
   Charter a boat to go deep-sea fishing, or try your hand off the Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier, which is the longest pier on the Gulf of Mexico. If you're in a leisurely mood, you can just take a stroll along the pier. Restaurants, shops and entertainment abound on Pensacola Beach, and free concerts and special events will appeal to the budget-conscious.
  Nature lovers should drive the short distance to the Gulf Islands National Seashore, which occupies the western tip of the island. The seashore is also home to Fort Pickens, which has stood tall on Santa Rosa Island since 1834. The fort offers daily tours of the facility, which has served as a military installation as well as a prison. Geronimo was once held here, and his ghost is said to haunt the grounds.
   The largest annual event is Red, White & Blues Week, which is held each July. Visitors and residents from throughout the region gather for food, fireworks, free concerts and two air shows featuring the Blue Angels precision flight team.

Pensacola Beach Fast Facts

   Location: Pensacola Beach is located on Santa Rosa Island, just south of Gulf Breeze and Pensacola.
   Total area: Pensacola Beach is about seven miles long and one-half mile wide.
  *Population: Pensacola Beach is unincorporated, but there are approximately 2,700 year-round residents.
   Average annual rainfall: 64.28 inches
   Average temperatures: 83ºF in summer, 55ºF in winter
*Information provided by 2000 Census

Schools

Homes

Maps of Pensacola Beach

More Pensacola Beach Photos
Photos by John Vanhara for CoastParadise.com

   
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