Pensacola Beach Guide And Information

Pensacola Beach is found on Santa Rosa Island, one of the barrier islands in Golf Islands National Seashore.  The area features 52 miles of undeveloped beaches, and the Gulf of Mexico welcomes visitors to enjoy its fishing, birding, swimming, boating, and hiking opportunities, as well as those who just like to collect seashells.

If you plan a trip to Pensacola Beach, there are some things you should keep in mind.  First, remember that there is limited shade in the first four miles.  Also, there's a mile-long stretch that has only sand for walking or biking across...no ability to drive.  There is plenty of wildlife to marvel at (but to also be cautious of), including raccoons, snakes, birds and red foxes.  There are no lifeguards, so it's up to you and your travel companions to watch out for each other.  There is, however, a ranger station for safety issues.  You can find restroom facilities at the firehouse area, Battery Worth (a picnic site), Battery Van Swearingen or Fort Pickens.

During your trip to Pensacola Beach, consider visiting Naval Live Oaks.  Nature buffs and anyone else who loves the outdoors will enjoy Naval Live Oaks.  There are nearly 1,400 acres of almost-untouched woods.  When you visit, you could see a red-bellied woodpecker, mockingbird, flicker, blue jay, brown thrasher, great blue heron, or brown-headed nuthatch.  Walk a bit further and see the native plants that you won't find anywhere else in Florida.

Another popular destination is The Quietwater Boardwalk.  This is located on the side of the island near to Santa Rosa Sound, straight across from Casino Beach.  It features restaurants, retail shops, nightclubs, and even sidewalk artists and street musicians.  There is a big seashell stage that hosts concerts many times during the year.  Directly behind is the silent beach, with only the sounds of children and sea gulls. On special events such as Lobster Fest, Fourth of Day and Bushwhacker, there are special events, including fireworks.

Also consider visiting Fort Pickens on your trip to Pensacola Beach.  This was a fully utilized military fort from its building in 1834 until it was decommissioned just before World War II.  You can take a self-guided tour and experience the rooms that were once officers' quarters (and which later housed Apache prisoners).  You can also learn about Fort Pickens' most famous former resident, the Apache Geronimo.

One other interesting things about Pensacola Beach, which you might want to see are its one school and its two churches. There is a single school found in the area.  providing education for kids in grades K through 5th, Pensacola Beach Elementary School has between 120 and 140 students, most of whom live nearby.  The school opened in 1977, and has received the Five-Star School award a couple times since 1998.  The school is privately funded, with the financial help of volunteers, parents and interested people in the community.

The two churches are the Pensacola Beach Community Church and Our Lady of the Assumption.  The first is a United Church of Christ congregation, and the latter is a Catholic church.  Under laws of Santa Rosa Island, these are the only two churches allowed.