by Gail Ferenc

Created on: September 10, 2008   Last Updated: April 18, 2011

Known as the "Gateway to the Gulf," Panama City Beach is a sheltered harbor surrounded by the awe inspiring deep waters of St. Andrews Bay. Temperate climates during the Holiday season ranging from the 40's at night to the 60's during the day, sunny blue skies, glistening vast pearly sand beaches kissing the emerald blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico are sure to please even the most discriminating vacationer.

The new Panama City International airport with major carriers makes this destination spot easily accessible, or if you are wealthy enough to have a yacht, the two city marinas can easily accommodate and they love transients! Before you actually get to the beach, be sure to check out downtown, richly steeped in historical significance and quickly morphing into a cultural mecca, largely in part to the efforts of grassroots organizations like the Bay Arts Alliance and the Panama City Main Street Program. Be sure to visit St. Andrews Marina, a city waterfront marina and venue, where buying fresh fish off the boat is as good as it gets!

Panama City Beach, touted as the "Beach Lover's Beach," is aptly named for its striking 27 miles of beach scape. If you tend to lean towards the outrageous, there is no shortage here. "Ripley's Believe it or Not," intrusively pops out of the sky like a twisted jack in the box. Of course, there is Zooworld, if you want to take a walk on the wild side, and for a simply noneducational aquatic experience, try the Shipwreck Island Waterpark. If you must absolutely shop till you drop, check out the new Pier Park, a 900,000' upscale shopping mall and entertainment complex.

While some of the infrastructure appears garish and sensational, it is comforting to know that this absolutely awesome stretch of North Florida beach is in the capable hands of a Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). Going green with more pedestrian friendly transit systems and bike trails, beach access and preservation, let's just hope they don't get too crazy and ditch the Ripley's.

At the west end of the Panama City beach, you'll discover Grand Lagoon, a circular water basin flanked by ostentatious restaurants and quirky looking marinas. A pirate ship replica juts out of the water, looking misplaced, but doing a fine job of multi-tasking as three restaurants and a few trinket shops. Cuisine all over the beach is fresh and dress is appropriate beach bum-ish. Delectable oysters, drenched in steaming garlic wine butter, or rocked in spinach or prepared any which way you want are plentiful and fresh.

If you are lucky enough to spend the entire month of December in this water wonderland, don't miss the annual Christmas parade right on the beach, December 3. The Annual Boat Parade of Lights at the city marina on December 13 is an illuminating feast for even the crankiest of eyes. Most of the major beachfront hotels are booking early for New Year's Eve. Plenty of party package deals, including chaperoned kid friendly activities, so bring the rug rats with you and enjoy a memorable dream weaved ringing in of the New Year!

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