Pensacola Bay Area: At A Glance
LOCATION & AREA SNAPSHOT
Considered to be “Florida’s First Beach,” the Pensacola Bay Area is located in the northwest corner of Florida along the Gulf Coast. The Pensacola Bay Area offers visitors the best of both worlds: miles of sugar-white beaches alongside a town rich with history, culture and Southern hospitality. It’s the perfect getaway.
PENSACOLA
Resting on the banks of Pensacola Bay, the deep-rooted structures of downtown radiate history while their renovations portray a vibrant contemporary feel. Pensacola offers visitors 450 years of history, innovative coastal cuisine, art and culture, unique shopping and many festivals throughout the year celebrating everything from music and food to art and Mardi Gras.
PENSACOLA BEACH
Located on Santa Rosa Island, one of the world’s longest barrier islands, Pensacola Beach has an old Florida feel with modern amenities from the casual to the upscale. Guests can enjoy natural beaches, great restaurants, first-rate fishing and historic Fort Pickens.
PERDIDO KEY
Spanish for “lost island,” Perdido Key encompasses federal and state parks abundant with wetlands, estuaries and wildlife. Perdido Key is also famous for its laid-back atmosphere and the Flora-Bama, a legendary bar which straddles the state line.
RICH HERITAGE
Pensacola, known as the “City of Five Flags,” has been ruled by Spain, Britain, France, the Confederacy and the United States. Discovered by Spanish explorers in 1559, Pensacola was the first major settlement attempt in the United States. The city’s rich history lends itself to fascinating historical and archaeological sites, allowing visitors to absorb its colorful past. History comes to life in Historic Pensacola Village, Museum of Commerce, St. Michael’s Cemetery, the African-American Heritage Trail, Pensacola Lighthouse, Fort Barrancas and Fort Pickens. Pensacola also boasts a rich military heritage with Naval Air Station Pensacola, the world-famous Blue Angels and the National Naval Aviation Museum - one of the world’s largest air and space museums.
ECO EXCURSIONS
Travelers can venture outdoors in a variety of settings ranging from the serene - rustic woodlands and creeks of the “Canoe Capital of Florida” to the adventurous – the glistening Gulf of Mexico. The Nature Conservancy designated the Florida Panhandle as a national hot spot for biodiversity, and Gulf Islands National Seashore is the largest national seashore and second-oldest. Ranger-led programming includes snorkeling adventures, barrier island walks and various tours. Voluntourism opportunities are available for groups.
THE ARTS
Boasting a thriving arts community, the Pensacola Bay Area is home to the “big five,” including ballet, opera, symphony, theatre and an accredited museum of visual arts. Visitors are able to test their hand at glassblowing in local art workshops, browse a variety of local galleries and even take home works from one of our talented local artists.
WORLD-CLASS DIVES
With an active scuba diving population since the ‘60s, the area was the best-kept secret in the diving world until the 2006 sinking of the USS Oriskany – the world’s largest artificial reef. Divers can also explore many other wrecks, including the USS Massachusetts, one of the oldest existing American battleships, or the Antares, a 400-foot freighter which attracts moray eels, red snapper, grouper, cobia and amberjack. The sites present opportunity for spear fishing dives, underwater photography and even underwater weddings.
COASTAL CUISINE
Foodies will delight in the cuisine of Pensacola – from fresh sushi bars and Southern cuisine fusion to straight-from-the-docks seafood. Culinary standards reflect the city’s history and cultural influence. Visitors can try Pensacola’s signature drink, the bushwacker, or marinated fried mullet. All are invited to dine with the Pensacola Celebrity Chefs who serve exclusive dishes such as Grits A Ya Ya, crawfish cheesecake and Scamp Cervantes at their locally-owned restaurants.
FISHERMAN’S PARADISE
The Gulf of Mexico, bays and rivers converge for an angler’s paradise. Offshore fishing is a popular excursion in the area, allowing fishermen to catch game fish such as grouper, tuna, cobia and red snapper. Pensacola Bay, Escambia Bay and East Bay are home to flounder, speckled trout, redfish and mullet. The Escambia River boasts 85 recorded species of fish – the richest variety of any Florida river – including channel catfish and largemouth bass. Public fishing piers give everyone access to the waters without the hassle of a license.
GULF COAST GOLFING
Boo Weekley, Bubba Watson, Health Slocum, Jerry Pate and Joe Durant – as the home to these golf legends, it’s no surprise the Pensacola area offers nearly a dozen PGA-rated courses with breathtaking views. Offering public and semiprivate courses, the area provides challenges for even the most seasoned golf enthusiast.
MEMORABLE MEETINGS
Whether hosting a classic, large event or a creative, small meeting, meeting planners find plenty of ideas here. Pensacola offers every type of desired setting from beachfront to downtown including traditional, natural and historic settings. The area also features the Downtown Conference Campus and the Pensacola Beach Conference Campus, allowing attendees to walk from their meeting to hotels, restaurants and entertainment.
ACCOMMODATIONS
With beachfront condominiums, historic bed and breakfasts, luxurious resorts and familiar hotels, the area offers a range of options to suit every lifestyle and budget. With more than 8,000 hotel rooms and 2,000 condominium units, affordable lodging is easily achievable, especially during our “secret season” (September through February) when rates are at their lowest.
CLIMATE
The area has an annual average temperature of 75 degrees Fahrenheit and 343 days of sunshine.
TIME ZONE
Surprisingly…Central
GETTING HERE
Pensacola is 287 miles south of Atlanta, 469 miles north of Tampa and 225 miles east of New Orleans. Pensacola is conveniently located on I-10 and is less than a hour from I-65. The newly renovated Pensacola International Airport is the busiest airport between New Orleans and Jacksonville, offering 100 daily flights served by AirTran, American Airlines, Continental, Delta, United and US Airways. Direct flights service Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Memphis, Miami, Orlando, Tampa and Washington, D.C.
Pensacola
Antwoord met Citaat
