Pensacola area beaches just won three well-deserved validations for two of our local beaches. In the 2016 contest sponsored by USA Today and Readers Choice Travel Awards, Gulf Islands National Seashore came in #1 for Florida's Best Beach and #1 as the Best East Coast Beach. Rounding out the top prizes is Perdido Key's Johnson Beach, voted as #2 for the Best National Park Beach.
The awards acknowledge the natural beauty of the white sands, clear blue-green water and the preserved natural shoreline in the Florida Panhandle section of the Gulf of Mexico. Floridians have made preserving the natural beauty a priority that all future generations can benefit.
The president of Visit Pensacola, Steve Hayes, has said that the popularity of Pensacola and surrounding area beaches are growing because of the visitors and locals who are vocal for their appreciation for all that the Greater Pensacola Area has to offers.
The beaches at Gulf Islands National Seashore include miles of pristine, undeveloped seashore, nature trails, campgrounds and historic forts waiting for beach visitors to explore. The Pensacola Bay area is receiving accolades for the revitalization of downtown Pensacola for its thriving local restaurants, coffee shops and breweries. Florida Travel & Life has listed Peg Leg Pete's and the Flora-Bama as one of the top ten Best Florida Beach Bars.
The Florida Panhandle has a distinctly southern feel that is evident in our food and the friendly and welcoming attitude to our visitors. We are also home to the Blue Angels, the Blue Wahoos Baseball, historic Pensacola and the Gulf Breeze Zoo, all fun things to do away from the beach.
