A small municipality with a resident population around 5,000, the Panama City Beach area receives close to five million visitors each year. Tourism is the leading industry as evidenced by the many popular nightclubs, amusement attractions, recreational activities, restaurants and lodging establishments in the area. Recently the area beaches underwent a $20 million “Beach Beautification” project to widen the 27 miles of spectacular shoreline.

Area Trivia:

• Panama City Beach is home to the U.S. Navy’s Coastal Systems Station, a major naval research and development center, located along St. Andrews Bay.
• Panama City Beach was created in 1953 and the City of Panama City Beach, as it currently exists, became a single chartered government in 1969 as a result of the merging of four separate cities: West Panama City Beach, Edgewater, Long Beach, and Panama City Beach.
• The Museum of Man in the Sea, the only deepwater diving museum in the United States, is located in Panama City Beach.

Accommodations

• Vacation Rentals

Area Information

• How's the local weather?
• Browse the Panama City News Herald online
• The Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce
• The Bay County Chamber of Commerce

Educational Resources

• Bay County K-12 Schools
• Gulf Coast Community College
• Panama City Campus of Florida State University
• Washington-Holmes Technical Center
• Bay County Public Library

Government

• Bay County Online - the official Bay County Florida Web site

Military Resources

• Tyndall Air Force Base
• U.S. Navy Coastal Systems Station

Things To Do

• The Arts
  • Attend a performance at The Martin Theatre
  • Enjoy a play at The Kaledeiscope Theatre
  • Paul Brent Gallery

• Nature & Science:
  • Fun for the whole family at Gulf World Marine Park
  • Spend a day at Zoo World
  • Shell Island Tours: Explore beautiful Shell Island. Enjoy swimming, kayaking, snorkeling and jet ski rental.

• Attractions:
  • Here are fun places to go
  • Shipwreck Island Water Park

• Local Parks and Recreation Areas:
  • Camp Helen State Park
  • Historic Eden State Park, a short drive away in South Walton County
  • Great beaches and facilities open to the public are found at Grayton Beach State Park
  • A family favorite is St. Andrews State Recreational Area
  • Take the shuttle to Shell Island with the Shell Island Shuttle

• Fishing:
  • Want to go charter boat fishing?
  • For fly fishing, flounder gigging, cast netting and duck hunting, check out Capt. J.P. at the Cyber Angler
  • The Annual Bay Point Billfish Invitational Tournament

• Golfing:
  • A quick look at all the area Golf Courses
  • Enjoy two great courses at Bay Point Yacht & Country Club
  • Play a round at Holiday Golf Club
  • Play where the Pros play at Hombre
  • Experience golf at Martin Green Golf Academy

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