Best Areas to Stay in Panama City Beach

Panama City Beach (PCB) is the self-proclaimed home of “The World’s Most Beautiful Beaches.” With 27 miles of pristine beaches along the stunning Gulf of Mexico coastline, it’s a fantastic place to visit as a couple on a romantic getaway, with a group of friends, or as a family wanting quality time together.

Unsurprisingly there are a huge number of options for places to stay, ranging from budget condos to top-end luxury beachfront hotels with private beach access. But the big question is, which area should you stay in? Here’s where to stay in Panama City Beach.

Long Beach for Families

Highlights: white sand beaches, Coconut Creek, Race City Amusement Park, Shipwreck Island Waterpark

If you’re heading to Panama City Beach with your family, Long Beach Resort is the perfect neighborhood for your trip. The beach is a massive draw here, with 1,300 feet of white sand and sparkling water and breathtaking views of the shores of Panama. Long Beach has a wide choice of cafes, restaurants, and bars to suit all tastes and offers direct access to Panama City Center, with its historic downtown area just a twenty-minute drive away.

Long Beach is home to many of PCB’s top family attractions. For a family-friendly adventure, check out Coconut Creek. This fun park has two tropical 18-hole mini-golf courses, complete with fantastic cascading waterfalls and even an elephant or two! Or lose yourself for hours in the Gran Maze, a giant maze about the size of a football field.

For thrill-seekers, head to Race City Amusement Park which is just a few minutes’ drive from the beach. Race City is home to the tallest, fastest, and steepest go-kart tracks on the Gulf, as well as rollercoasters, a log flume, and a super-spooky Haunted Mansion. 

If all that excitement gets you hot under the collar, you can cool off at the Shipwreck Island Waterpark, where you can hit the slides or just float down the lazy river. For a truly weird and wonderful experience, head to Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Museum or Wonderworks. Both are home to the weird and wonderful and are a guaranteed hit with the kids.

Accommodation in Long Beach is mostly on the waterfront, located on either side of Front Beach Road. Many condos and hotels have stunning waterfront views of the gulf and offer direct access to the beaches. A little word of warning: Long Beach can be crowded and raucous during Spring Break, which might not be ideal if you have young children. Quieter areas to stay can be found at the far east or west of Long Beach.

Grand Lagoon for Peace and Quiet

Highlights: Independent bars and restaurants, St. Andrews State Park, Shell Island

If you are looking for a more peaceful trip by the sea, and want to be close to nature, look no further than Grand Lagoon, the perfect area for a relaxing vacation. Grand Lagoon has a laid-back atmosphere, but the attractions of Long Beach are conveniently located just a few miles away, about a ten-minute drive.

One of the best features of Grand Lagoon is that there are plenty of independently owned and operated bars and restaurants, which offer a nice change from some of the chain restaurants in Long Beach. Our top picks include Hammerhead Fred’s for live music, Capt. Jack’s for family buffets, and Schooners for incredible beach and ocean views.

If hiking trails and pristine beaches sound like heaven to you, then don’t miss St. Andrews State Park, less than a mile from Grand Lagoon and easily accessible by car or public transport. This beautiful park has the Gulf of Mexico on one side and St. Andrews Bay on the other, and visitors can swim, snorkel, or just relax on the mile-and-a-half-long beach. 

If you’re in the mood for a night or two under canvas during your vacation, the park offers overnight camping in well-equipped campsites with water, restrooms, picnic tables, and barbeque grills. Some of the campsites also have laundry facilities and accessible restrooms.

St Andrew’s State Park is also home to the seven-mile-long barrier island known as Shell Island, an undeveloped stretch of white sand beach, that provides a haven for wildlife and marine mammals. The Shell Island shuttle leaves from the State Park docks, where you can hire scuba and snorkeling equipment. Look out for tropical fish, dolphins, and sea turtles during your trip — they are abundant here.

Accommodation in Grand Lagoon ranges from beautiful from Gulf front beach houses and condos to luxury resort and spa hotels. Nearly all accommodation offers visitors sparkling emerald coast views.

Pier Park for Entertainment

Highlights: Shopping and entertainment, Emerald Coast Mirror Maze and Laser Tag Craze, pet-friendly beach

Pier Park is Panama City Beach’s premier shopping and entertainment destination, with 124 stores selling everything you could wish for and fantastic entertainment options all within walking distance. If you have grown-up children to occupy or want to shop ‘til you drop, it would be hard to find a better area for your vacation than Pier Park.

All that shopping can work up a real appetite, so you’ll be pleased to know that Pier Park has outstanding dining options. Sharky’s Beachfront Restaurant and Tiki Bar is a fantastic spot right on the beach, with a menu that features fresh, locally-caught fish and a pirate ship playground for the kids. For spectacular live entertainment, head to the Sandpiper Beacon Beach Resort and Tiki Bar, which hosts some of the best live music in Panama City Beach during the summer.

The entertainment options at Pier Park are second to none. You can take in the latest blockbuster at the Grand IMAX, the best theater experience in Panama City Beach. Or for something a little faster-paced, head to the Emerald Coast Mirror Maze and Laser Tag Craze and get totally lost while trying to avoid the dead ends in the 2,300 square foot Maze of Mirrors, then battle it out in the 1,800 square foot laser tag arena.

If you are taking your dog on vacation with you, Pier Park might be the right area for you, as the beach is pet friendly and open to dogs on leashes. Head into the surf with your best animal friend, or watch them interact with other dogs. The dog beach is on the west side of the Russell-Fields City Pier, just in front of Pier Park.

There are plenty of fantastic hotels near Pier Park, with all the modern amenities you would expect. Many have private balconies offering stunning Gulf views-views. Some hotels offer water sports rentals and other beach amenities, as well as outdoor pools and fantastic on-site dining and drinking options. Sandpiper Beacon is a great choice for families, with plenty of oceanfront accommodation and free kids’ clubs.

Laguna Beach for Nature Lovers

Highlights: Conservation park, Camp Helen State Park, boat tours, Man in the Sea Museum

Just a few minutes west of the city, the small community of Laguna Beach is a great alternative to the hustle and bustle of Panama City Beach’s busier areas. Laguna Beach is relatively quiet and spacious compared to Long Beach, and there’s a diverse range of vacation rentals to suit every taste and price point. If you want to have fun in the sand, water, and sun and be away from the biggest crowds, Laguna Beach is the place to go.

For a nature-packed day out, head to the vast conversation park just inland, a favorite destination for locals and visitors alike. The park is over 2,900 acres with 24+ miles of boardwalks leading through cypress domes. Tails range from 0.6 miles to 11 miles and can be done individually or combined to make a longer hike. Parking and public restrooms are located at the Trail Head building, and there is a covered pavilion and plenty of picnic tables if you want to grab a spot for an al-fresco lunch.

Another great Laguna Beach attraction is Camp Helen State Park, which is just a few minutes from the downtown area. This stunning 180-acre park is home to Lake Powell, the largest coastal dune lake in Florida, and is an excellent spot for nature lovers. 

For bird watchers, you can borrow binoculars from the visitor center to get a better view of the birdlife. Keep your eyes peeled for bald eagles and kingfishers. Camp Helen is surrounded by water on three sides, which makes it a fantastic fishing destination. Both freshwater and saltwater fish can be found in the brackish water in Lake Powell.

Laguna Beach is a great place to hit the water, and there are several companies offering boat tours and watersports. Check out Wild Thang Airboat Tours, which offers one-hour airboat rides that take you out to some of the bigger creeks where there are baby alligators and night rides for an after-dark experience you won’t forget. 

If you can’t get enough of the water, take a trip to the Man in the Sea Museum, just down the coast. The Institute of Diving owns this fantastic museum and tells the fascinating story of underwater technology, from the earliest days of diving to the most modern underwater habitats. Kids under five go free here.

There are dozens of fantastic accommodation options in the Laguna Beach area. If you are on a tight budget, consider renting a beach house or cottage rather than staying in one of the bigger hotels. There are some great home-away-from-home options, most with free parking, free WiFi, and easy access to the best attractions in the area.

Panama City Center for Historic Sightseeing

Highlights: Panama City Center for the Arts, History Class Brewing Company

If you fancy something a little different from the usual beach scene, you might want to consider staying in historic downtown Panama City. This stunning area has many beautifully preserved buildings and a vibrant arts and cultural scene. If you love to shop, there is a lively shopping district here, with many trendy boutiques and high-end retailers.

For art lovers, Panama City Center for the Arts, in downtown Panama City, is home to three galleries, classrooms, a kid’s art studio, and a gift shop showcasing the talents of local artists. 

This fantastic center is housed in the historic 1925 City Hall building and is free to enter for the public. Another great stop in Panama City center is the History Class Brewing Company, a downtown brewpub with a focus on the historical stories of the town. They serve a wide selection of delicious beers alongside a southern small bites menu.

Much of the accommodation in the city center is along Harrison Avenue, where there are plenty of motels. Head a little further north for a wider selection of hotels and suites. There are also some great budget motels near the Hathaway Bridge, to the West of the city center. Prices near the Hathaway Bridge tend to be around 30-50% cheaper than downtown, but you will need to drive or get a taxi to most of the bars and restaurants.

Bay Point for Exclusivity

Highlights: Nicklaus golf course, Bay Point Marina

Located just off of St. Andrews Bay, the Bay Point area has some of the most sought-after amenities in Panama City Beach. For golf enthusiasts, the award-winning Nicklaus Course at Bay Point is carved out from the natural terrain and offers a full-service golf experience to guests of all skill levels.

Just a few minutes from the golf club is the Bay Point Marina, which provides very convenient access to the Gulf of Mexico and is only 15 minutes from the Intracoastal Waterway. This state-of-the-art marina is a great place to dock your boat if you arrive in Bay Point by water. The marina’s services include a competitively priced fuel dock, with experienced dock attendants on hand to help re-fuel your boat. There are also electric hook-ups if you want to stay in the marina for a few hours.

The Bay Point area accommodates from top resort and spa hotels to waterfront condominiums. The attractions and nightlife of Long Beach are just a 15-minute drive or taxi ride away. For a taste of the good life, look no further.

Find the Perfect PCB Neighborhood

Deciding where to stay in Panama City Beach is tricky because there are no bad options! Panama City Beach has got you covered, whatever you’re looking for on your vacation. Every area has a fantastic accommodation range, from the best hotels to beachside condos.

It’s also worth noting that wherever you stay, all areas are easily accessible by car or taxi, so you can head out of town in search of tranquillity and back in again when it’s time to party!

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