I stayed a week at Emerald Coast RV Resort. I've posted a link. There are lots of things to do. They have rentals.

Here is a link that might be useful: Emerald Coast RV Resort

Come to our beaches - they are the only ones that stayed clean and open during the oil crisis. We have beautiful white sandy beaches, no rocks and emerald green water - it's BEAUTIFUL here!

Do a google.com search for Panama City Beach vacations. We are affordable and there's lots to do. Feel free to email me if you have any questions - we'd love to have you!

My son and I spent the W/E in orange Beach, AL 7/16 to 7/18.Absolutely beautiful.You can go to Gulfshores.com. If you are on FB you can add me as a neighbor and see some of the pictures he took, I am Shelley Harpole March.

Selley

There are also beaches east of Panama City, FL that have remained untouched and pristine during the oil disaster. There is Mexico Beach (about 30 miles east of Panama City) and St. George Island (about 30 more miles further east). These are slower paced beaches with miles and miles of beautiful public beaches and there are no high rise condos. We visit fairly frequently during the "high" season because it is quieter. Closest airports would Panama City International or Tallahassee airport.

Panama City also has beautiful beaches and emerald water. There's a multitude of dining and entertainment choices.
I'm sure kayjones could probably fill you in on some of the many choices and give you some "local" tips. We don't spend as much time in that area since we sold our place there but like to visit during the "low" season.

Just a few miles west of Panama City beaches are Rosemary Beach, Grayton Beach, and Seaside. All these are within easy driving distance from the Panama City International airport.

Not far further west is Destin and Ft. Walton Beaches. We enjoy visiting along that area but if visiting there you have to be prepared for teeth clenching traffic when getting to and from places because there is only one main through highway.

Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Perdido Key are beautiful. It's easy to travel and there are many places to eat and/or drink. I think the closest airports for there would be Pensacola, FL or Mobile, AL.

I guess I should confess that my second career is beach bum. LOL

Cheeky, the Gulf coast locals and businesses need and appreciate people like you. I'm sure you'll have a wonderful vacation wherever you choose to visit along the Gulf.

Thanks for the info. I will keep you posted.

BTW - we had gulf coast shrimp over the weekend and it was delicious.

I wish I had the knowledge to inform you of other places - I've only lived in PCB for 2 years and only know of our little 5x10-mile spanse of ocean/gulf sand and 3 roads. It seems Grace is informed - I'll be emailing her for details on places to go!

cheeky, I'd be very interested in hearing about your vacation. You may be able to give us some pointers for a trip later in time. Gulf coast shrimp...yummy, the BEST IMHO.

kayjones, So many things change from one year to the next that I'm always hesitant to recommend certain places for fear of leading someone astray. We do however do still have our favorite "haunts". Oh...I've heard the new Pier Park is going great guns. We haven't made time to make it out there yet. Have you had a chance to check it out?

DS and wife live in Navarre Fl I lived in Panama City for four years about 14 years ago and would still be there except for "circumstances" I loved the access to the gulf

Here's a link to the Mississippi part of the Gulf Coast..
Lots of info - coupons, etc.
We stayed in Gulfport a couple of weeks ago -- we were at the ARS in Biloxi

Here is a link that might be useful: Gulf Coast CBV

Grace, I am not a mall shopper - just don't like all the people and the high prices. I try to buy everything I 'think' I want and need at garage sales and thrift shops, using box stores as a last resort. I know very little about Pier Park, although I have spoken with many people who shop there. Many have also said they prefer the variety of stores and merchandise as well as the prices of Panama City Mall.

Minnie, I remember you mentioning that you lived in PC but I couldn't recall the timeframe. So you arrived after Hurricane Opal? Most likely you and I crossed paths at some point in the past. (I mention hurricane Opal because so many people that live along the Gulf coast tend to mark time in reference to major storms and that was the storm that redefined my comfort zone.)

kayjones, I'm not a mall shopper or big box shopper either which may account for why we haven't visited Pier Park yet.
I do however enjoy live entertainment and relaxing with friends or family and I've been particularly interested in checking out Tootsie's. Mainly to see if it has the same type good live music and relaxed, good-time atmosphere as Tootsie's in Nashville. My roots in Bay County go back a long way. My mother was born there. My GrandDad and uncle were shrimpers. My Dad was a policeman there in the 1940's before my birth and although our small family has moved or died out, I still have family living in Lynn Haven. My late husband and I owned a second home there and since then, my present husband and I have as well. Further east along the Gulf, I have extended family in the seafood business. I have a deep and abiding love of the Gulf coast and a life time of happy memories. And I would recommend visiting to anyone that shows an interest. I think it's a place that will leave a lasting imprint on anyone's heart...and I suspect you feel the same way. :)

cheeky, I apologize if I've hijacked your post.

I would love to attend one of those Thursday night concerts, but the mosquitoes LOVE me - I have a couple of friends who go and have told me they are wonderful, but I wouldn't want to be some bug's dinner, so I don't go! LOL