What is it about Panama City Beach/FL Panhandle as oppose to the rest of FL, from a metro Atlanta native perspective? (Savannah: house, versus)

[green_mariner]

Originally Posted by CMMom

Whiter sand, less jellyfish, surf is not as rough. The drive is a little longer to the Atlantic (if you know the back roads to Destin/Ft. Walton). The "Red Tide" comes in periodically on the Gulf Beaches, but the beach itself is just more appealing looking. Having said that, I also love Isle of Palms, SC.

It is still rather new to me, as I've never been to Florida. I never knew there were fewer jellyfish along the Gulf. I always believed they liked warmer waters.

I'm wondering the cultural attachment to the Panhandle. For you it might be about the physical aspects of the beaches. From people I've been around, there seems to be a cultural popularity with PCB or Destin/Ft. Walton.

[ATLTJL]

It's quite simple. The Gulf Coast is an easy drive, so we all know about it. Other parts of Florida have large airports and are more longer histories of development, so they are more nationally known. Not many people fly to the panhandle of Florida.

[Newsboy]

Yep, it's very simple: Easy drive, beautiful beaches. End thread.

No disrespect to the OP, but if you've never been to Florida then you can't possibly understand how vastly different the coastlines of the state are. If you had been to Daytona Beach, and then Destin, you wouldn't be asking this question.

[green_mariner]

Originally Posted by Newsboy

Yep, it's very simple: Easy drive, beautiful beaches. End thread.

No disrespect to the OP, but if you've never been to Florida then you can't possibly understand how vastly different the coastlines of the state are. If you had been to Daytona Beach, and then Destin, you wouldn't be asking this question.

I'm just asking. I'm not exactly in the know about this stuff.

[Newsboy]

Originally Posted by green_mariner

I'm just asking. I'm not exactly in the know about this stuff.

Well, now you are!

[green_mariner]

Originally Posted by ATLTJL

It's quite simple. The Gulf Coast is an easy drive, so we all know about it. Other parts of Florida have large airports and are more longer histories of development, so they are more nationally known. Not many people fly to the panhandle of Florida.

I'm guessing this is more about what the locals know about vs what transplants know about.

I have been in the metro area since 1996, so I've been exposed to some things over time. At the same time, I've been socialized differently. I never had curiosity about this subject until now. Never thought about it until now.

[green_mariner]

Originally Posted by Newsboy

Well, now you are!

And I'll have to speak to some more people about this tomorrow.

[atltechdude]

Originally Posted by CMMom

Whiter sand, less jellyfish, surf is not as rough. The drive is a little longer to the Atlantic (if you know the back roads to Destin/Ft. Walton). The "Red Tide" comes in periodically on the Gulf Beaches, but the beach itself is just more appealing looking. Having said that, I also love Isle of Palms, SC.

That's the downside for me. I like big waves so I prefer the ocean. But for people that want calmer water the gulf is definitely better for that.

[atlantamoi]

Originally Posted by Newsboy

Yep, it's very simple: Easy drive, beautiful beaches. End thread.

No disrespect to the OP, but if you've never been to Florida then you can't possibly understand how vastly different the coastlines of the state are. If you had been to Daytona Beach, and then Destin, you wouldn't be asking this question.

My answer as well. It's very hard to beat the panhandle beaches for beauty. Clear water and pretty white sand. There is a touch of redneck, sure, but on the beach it's not as easy to notice. Highway 30-A between Destin and Panama City is very hard to beat. We got to Hilton Head sometimes and I love that area off the beach, but for being near the water we'll always head to the panhandle (I did not grow up in Atlanta BTW). The drive isn't so bad either.

And there is this:

And this:

Upscale Alys Beach on first pic and Rosemary Beach on second. These are very close to Panama City, but feel like another world.

[Iconographer]

1. Accessibility.
2. Beauty of the beaches.
3. Plenty of entertainment, particularly for kids.

Drive along SR 30A sometime and I think you'll get it.