Desi's Guidebook
Food scene/Bars
Great sushi and the best Thai Tea on the beach.
32 locals recommend
Oishi Thai Restaurant and Sushi Bar
16920 Front Beach RdGreat sushi and the best Thai Tea on the beach.
Wonderful fish and chips. Great burgers and British cuisine as well. Cozy little place and has outdoor seating.
25 locals recommend
The British Eatery
280 S Arnold RdWonderful fish and chips. Great burgers and British cuisine as well. Cozy little place and has outdoor seating.
Best to go when it is lunch time, they offer a meat and two sides, which is a good deal and tasty. Also, if you love craft beer there is plenty of it!
39 locals recommend
The Craft Bar - Panama City Beach
15600 Panama City Beach PkwyBest to go when it is lunch time, they offer a meat and two sides, which is a good deal and tasty. Also, if you love craft beer there is plenty of it!
Great seafood restaurant, a local favorite and beautiful water views on the bay. Call ahead of time to see if they are open before heading that way. Also, expect waiting list during spring and summer season.
27 locals recommend
Boon Docks
14854 Bay View CirGreat seafood restaurant, a local favorite and beautiful water views on the bay. Call ahead of time to see if they are open before heading that way. Also, expect waiting list during spring and summer season.
Local favorite. Good food, meat and two sides type of place. Also, has a sports bar area and bike theme.
53 locals recommend
The Wicked Wheel
10025 Hutchison BlvdLocal favorite. Good food, meat and two sides type of place. Also, has a sports bar area and bike theme.
One of my favorite TexMex restaurants. It’s a little hidden in a plaza and a local favorite. Cozy place and they make their own tortillas. Also, has a bar area.
12 locals recommend
AutentiKa Mexican Grille
14662 Front Beach RdOne of my favorite TexMex restaurants. It’s a little hidden in a plaza and a local favorite. Cozy place and they make their own tortillas. Also, has a bar area.
Fine dining. Opens in the evenings, walk in only so no reservations. Local favorite and wonderful food. Grouper imperial is a must eat. The ambience in the restaurant is wonderful as well.
205 locals recommend
Saltwater Grill
11040 Hutchison BlvdFine dining. Opens in the evenings, walk in only so no reservations. Local favorite and wonderful food. Grouper imperial is a must eat. The ambience in the restaurant is wonderful as well.
Good pizza and other offerings. Call before heading there, because they do change their hours around a lot.
48 locals recommend
Nick's Slice Of Brooklyn Pizzeria And Bar
13528 Front Beach RdGood pizza and other offerings. Call before heading there, because they do change their hours around a lot.
Great Tex Mex spot and has a small bar area as well. Local favorite, but can become very busy in spring-summer season.
161 locals recommend
Diego's Burrito Factory & Margarita Bar
15514 Front Beach RdGreat Tex Mex spot and has a small bar area as well. Local favorite, but can become very busy in spring-summer season.
If you are wanting a snow ball on a hot day, this is the place! Also, New Orleans style cuisine.
30 locals recommend
David's New Orleans Style Cafe & Sno-Balls
13913 Panama City Beach PkwyIf you are wanting a snow ball on a hot day, this is the place! Also, New Orleans style cuisine.
Local favorite! Good seafood and if you want oysters this is one of the spots locals go, but gets busy busy in spring and summer time!
147 locals recommend
Dusty's Oyster Bar
16450 Front Beach RdLocal favorite! Good seafood and if you want oysters this is one of the spots locals go, but gets busy busy in spring and summer time!
If you want beach views, seafood, and some tropical drinks this is the spot!
197 locals recommend
Runaway Island
14521 Front Beach RdIf you want beach views, seafood, and some tropical drinks this is the spot!
Wonderful Pho; fresh shrimp rolls; wonderful Vietnamese coffee, and more! Laid back place.
24 locals recommend
Pho Pier 77
19932 Front Beach RdWonderful Pho; fresh shrimp rolls; wonderful Vietnamese coffee, and more! Laid back place.
Looking for Italian food tonight…head here! Opened in evenings and the locals love it.
17 locals recommend
Bella Roma Tuscan Grill
11535 Hutchison BlvdLooking for Italian food tonight…head here! Opened in evenings and the locals love it.
Fine dining. Wonderful food, every time I’ve went, it has not disappointed. Beautiful interior atmosphere as well.
240 locals recommend
Firefly
535 N Richard Jackson BlvdFine dining. Wonderful food, every time I’ve went, it has not disappointed. Beautiful interior atmosphere as well.
Beach views; outside eating; bar; American style food and seafood
43 locals recommend
Barefoot On The Beach Bar and Grill
11073 Front Beach RdBeach views; outside eating; bar; American style food and seafood
Note this is located off the beach in St.Andrews, but locals come here specifically for the oysters. If you love oysters, this is a must!
124 locals recommend
Hunt's Oyster Bar & Seafood Restaurant
1150 Beck AveNote this is located off the beach in St.Andrews, but locals come here specifically for the oysters. If you love oysters, this is a must!
Located in St.Andrews, off the beach, but beautiful bay views; outside eating, full bar, and great food. Must try the crab cakes and side salad.
125 locals recommend
Uncle Ernies
1151 Bayview AveLocated in St.Andrews, off the beach, but beautiful bay views; outside eating, full bar, and great food. Must try the crab cakes and side salad.
Donut Hole
12983 US-98Local favorite, great donuts! Breakfast food and sandwiches.
Thomas donuts has been around forever! Great selection of donuts and even ice cream! Also, food selections as well. Located on front beach.
176 locals recommend
Thomas Donut & Snack Shop
19208 Front Beach RdThomas donuts has been around forever! Great selection of donuts and even ice cream! Also, food selections as well. Located on front beach.
Capt. Anderson's Restaurant
5551 N Lagoon DrMarina views and great food!
Located in downtown Panama City, 30-35 mins away, but if you love pubs and Irish cuisine this is the place!
21 locals recommend
House of Henry Irish pub and eatery
461 Harrison AveLocated in downtown Panama City, 30-35 mins away, but if you love pubs and Irish cuisine this is the place!
Located downtown Panama City as well, 30-35 mins away but I love this deli style restaurant! One of my favs with homemade soups, salads, desserts, and sandwiches. Also, some outside seating.
15 locals recommend
Trigo San Francisco Style Deli & Catering
119 Harrison AveLocated downtown Panama City as well, 30-35 mins away but I love this deli style restaurant! One of my favs with homemade soups, salads, desserts, and sandwiches. Also, some outside seating.
Nature; Parks
A lot of trails and some that go on for miles. If you have brought your bicycles and or dogs this is a great place to walk and unwind. Bath facilities on sight. Gazebo to eat lunch under as well.
88 locals recommend
Conservation Park
100 Conservation DriveA lot of trails and some that go on for miles. If you have brought your bicycles and or dogs this is a great place to walk and unwind. Bath facilities on sight. Gazebo to eat lunch under as well.
Located about 40-50mins from PCB, but it is beautiful. When the flowers bloom it’s just a sight to behold. Also a historic house is on sight. Dogs allowed and bathrooms available. Note: fee charged to get in
96 locals recommend
Eden Gardens State Park
Eden Garden State Park RoadLocated about 40-50mins from PCB, but it is beautiful. When the flowers bloom it’s just a sight to behold. Also a historic house is on sight. Dogs allowed and bathrooms available. Note: fee charged to get in
A beautiful long stretch of beach without condos. Historic cabins/cottages located on sight and kayak rentals available during season. Fee charged to get in.
155 locals recommend
Camp Helen State Park
23937 Panama City Beach PkwyA beautiful long stretch of beach without condos. Historic cabins/cottages located on sight and kayak rentals available during season. Fee charged to get in.
If you want to snorkel, this is the place! Beautiful stretches of beach and jetties to explore. Note: raccoons will come up from the jetties and take unattended food! Fee charged to get in.
465 locals recommend
St. Andrews State Park
4607 State Park LnIf you want to snorkel, this is the place! Beautiful stretches of beach and jetties to explore. Note: raccoons will come up from the jetties and take unattended food! Fee charged to get in.
Dog park; community pool; playground; baseball fields; walking paths and a pond.
122 locals recommend
Frank Brown Park
16200 Panama City Beach PkwyDog park; community pool; playground; baseball fields; walking paths and a pond.
This will be a drive out an 1-2hour drive, but if you are a park lover this is one of the well known parks around and close to the Florida caverns tour as well
14 locals recommend
Falling Waters State Park
1130 State Park RdThis will be a drive out an 1-2hour drive, but if you are a park lover this is one of the well known parks around and close to the Florida caverns tour as well
Take this tour when you are out visiting the “Falling waters” park as well since they are close to one another.
63 locals recommend
Florida Caverns State Park
3345 Caverns RdTake this tour when you are out visiting the “Falling waters” park as well since they are close to one another.
Natural Springs
50-1hr drive, but if you love nature and springs this is one of the areas to checkout. Bring a float/inner tube, food, drinks, waterproof bag, towel, and in other words be prepared when you get out there. Note the springs are cold, so perfect for hot summer days!
11 locals recommend
Pitt and Sylvan Springs
6315 FL-2050-1hr drive, but if you love nature and springs this is one of the areas to checkout. Bring a float/inner tube, food, drinks, waterproof bag, towel, and in other words be prepared when you get out there. Note the springs are cold, so perfect for hot summer days!
1hr-1hr 30mins away, but a major spot for those who scuba dive professionally. Great swim spot as well. Natural spring waters with rope swings and a small zip line to jump from. This is a local favorite and a fee is charge to get in for the day.
26 locals recommend
Vortex Spring
1517 Vortex Springs Ln1hr-1hr 30mins away, but a major spot for those who scuba dive professionally. Great swim spot as well. Natural spring waters with rope swings and a small zip line to jump from. This is a local favorite and a fee is charge to get in for the day.
This is my favorite spring area. Bring a float and a cooler. The water can be so clear at times! Great swim spot and perfect for those hot summer days!
39 locals recommend
Morrison Springs County Park
874 Morrison Springs RdThis is my favorite spring area. Bring a float and a cooler. The water can be so clear at times! Great swim spot and perfect for those hot summer days!
Fun Activities/Areas
If you are between Ripleys or this, choose this! A lot of interactive displays and inside ropes course. Fun for all ages. Expect it to be super busy when it’s raining!!!
279 locals recommend
WonderWorks Panama City Beach
9910 Front Beach RdIf you are between Ripleys or this, choose this! A lot of interactive displays and inside ropes course. Fun for all ages. Expect it to be super busy when it’s raining!!!
Indoor go carting, great for those Florida summers or rainy days!
37 locals recommend
Kartona Electric Speedway
7125 US-98Indoor go carting, great for those Florida summers or rainy days!
Mini golf and a maze, close to other fun activities as well!
131 locals recommend
Coconut Creek Family Fun Park
9807 Front Beach RdMini golf and a maze, close to other fun activities as well!
Mini golf built on water. Great course and go cart track in the back.
40 locals recommend
Hidden Lagoon Super Race Track and Golf
14414 Front Beach RdMini golf built on water. Great course and go cart track in the back.
Ferris wheel in Pier Park, checkout the coastline from up high in enclosed carts.
83 locals recommend
SkyWheel Panama City Beach
15700 L C Hilton Jr DrFerris wheel in Pier Park, checkout the coastline from up high in enclosed carts.
Cobra Adventure Park
9323 Front Beach RdMini golf, go cart track, sling shot, mini arcade, and more.
Water tour in the bay and swamp areas. Fun and if you love to see alligators in their natural habitat!
24 locals recommend
Airboat Adventures
6523 FL-79Water tour in the bay and swamp areas. Fun and if you love to see alligators in their natural habitat!
You’ll see the entire coast of PCB from your view in the sky!
46 locals recommend
Panhandle Helicopter
17711 Front Beach RdYou’ll see the entire coast of PCB from your view in the sky!
Dog Beach at Pier Park
Dog Beach for your pups to enjoy!
Bowling, arcade, roller skating, and bar. Thursdays is half price bowling and drinks at the bar, thirsty Thursday’s.
115 locals recommend
Rock'it Lanes
513 N Richard Jackson BlvdBowling, arcade, roller skating, and bar. Thursdays is half price bowling and drinks at the bar, thirsty Thursday’s.
Shipwreck Island Waterpark
12201 Hutchison BlvdThey offer swimming with the dolphins and other packages, so checkout their website or call ahead of time to schedule with them.
348 locals recommend
Gulf World Marine Park
15412 Front Beach RdThey offer swimming with the dolphins and other packages, so checkout their website or call ahead of time to schedule with them.
ZooWorld Zoological Conservatory
9008 Front Beach RdSea Dragon Pirate Cruise
5325 N Lagoon DrGreat for young kids and interactive pirate ship.
This can be a 1-2hour drive, but it’s a cool wolf preserve and highly informative, if you love wolves. You get to see them close in person and when I went I had a picture taken with the wolves. Great to add to your day trip our to see “Falling waters” state park and “Florida caverns” state park. Make a day out of it!
28 locals recommend
Seacrest Wolf Preserve
3449 Bonnett Pond RdThis can be a 1-2hour drive, but it’s a cool wolf preserve and highly informative, if you love wolves. You get to see them close in person and when I went I had a picture taken with the wolves. Great to add to your day trip our to see “Falling waters” state park and “Florida caverns” state park. Make a day out of it!
Rentals
Easy E Watersports
8421 Surf DrIf you have a need for speed on the water, rent a jet ski!
If you are wanting to explore the water and checkout Shell island for yourself, a lot of pontoon boats to rent with this company.
32 locals recommend
Lagoon Pontoons
5201 N Lagoon DrIf you are wanting to explore the water and checkout Shell island for yourself, a lot of pontoon boats to rent with this company.
Rent a bicycle for the day or a golf cart for the day to explore front beach road!
14 locals recommend
Bike the Beach PCB
17292 Front Beach RdRent a bicycle for the day or a golf cart for the day to explore front beach road!
If you need beach chairs and an umbrella this is a highly rated business that even delivers!
8 locals recommend
Chairs2u Beach Chair Rental
103 Heritage CirIf you need beach chairs and an umbrella this is a highly rated business that even delivers!
Light Me Up Beach Bonfires
22400 Front Beach RoadBeach chairs and bonfire rental; set up as well.
This is the biggest company on the beach for rentals, they have numerous office locations. (Note: this company has mixed reviews, so take that into account)
Outlaw Rentals
292 Powell Adams RdThis is the biggest company on the beach for rentals, they have numerous office locations. (Note: this company has mixed reviews, so take that into account)
Hangout By The Sea
12106 Front Beach RdGolf cart rentals, this place has good reviews on the internet.
Fresh Seafood Markets
Buddy's Seafood Market
111 S FL-79Locals come here often for fresh seafood.
Located in Inlet Beach area. They have a great selection of seafood and wines as well.
15 locals recommend
Destin Ice Market 30A
13063 US-98Located in Inlet Beach area. They have a great selection of seafood and wines as well.
Located in town, Panama City, but a locals spot for seafood. 30mins away
14 locals recommend
Buddy Gandy's Seafood
3004 US-98Located in town, Panama City, but a locals spot for seafood. 30mins away