Panama City  - Area Guide

With a long history as a port for travelers, Panama City remains the perfect spot for weary vacationers, with its 27 miles of coastline offering ample opportunity for fishing, swimming, boating, diving and snorkeling.

Panama City has earned a reputation as one of the premier diving locations in the south. There are 50 artificial reefs and several sunken ships teeming with marine life where divers can swim among small corals, colorful sponges, mantas, crustacean of all kinds, and seemingly endless schools of baitfish. Natural reefs, three to eight feet high, stand no more than 110 feet offshore offering the perfect spot to view native fish and other sea creatures.

For novice divers, the shallow waters around St. Andrew’s jetties are the perfect jumping off point. Even though, the best time for diving off Panama City’s coast is April through September, the warm gulf waters can be enjoyed well into the cooler fall and even winter months.

St Andrews State Park

Beachcombers content to stay on land will agree with the Travel Channel and Southern Living Magazine, which designated the white sand beaches of Panama City as some of the best in the world.

Travelers looking for a quiet, peaceful getaway, Washington and Holmes counties to the north, offer plenty of secluded lush forests and meandering rivers for nature lovers.

Washington County’s vast system of rivers and lakes is home to some of the best freshwater fishing and boating in the Panhandle. Econfina Creek, located between Bay and Washington counties, is part of Florida’s statewide system of Greenways and Trails. The 22-mile swift creek is ideal for intermediate or experienced canoers and kayakers. Along the way visitors will find recreational stopovers that offer hiking, fishing, horseback riding and camping.

Along with Ponce de Leon State Park, and other nature reserves and parks, Holmes County is the perfect location to get away from the ever-growing beach crowds. A quiet change of pace, Holmes County offers fun and sunshine for the whole family, and those just wanting to enjoy nature at its most pristine.

To find out more about where to go for outdoor fun, canoeing, hiking and camping visit Emerald Coast State Parks.

Whatever the reason for coming to the Emerald Coast, Panama City offers an eclectic array of fine dining choices, world class resorts,  award winning golf courses, summer-fun attractions,  fishing, boating and other water sports, all along its sugar-white beaches and clear, emerald green waters.

When you want to know what to do and where to go on the Emerald Coast visit the Events Calendar, or add your own review of a restaurant, festival, attraction or movie that you visited while here on the Panhandle. 

Finding your way around is a breeze too. The Bay Town Trolley has routes running throughout Panama City and the historic downtown harbor. Get more information on stops, and trolley schedules and fees at “Leave the driving to us.”

There is plenty of family fun open in Panama City Beach from Big Top thrills at a flying circus, to cooling off at one of Florida’s largest theme water park, to hands-on adventures at a wild animal park. To read more about it see “PCB announces new spring and summer attractions.”
You can also find out more about Pier Park, Panama City’s new 1.1 million square-foot lifestyle center filled with restaurants, shopping, and entertainment venues at “Pier Park’s limited opening brings in crowds.”

Weather

Average yearly temperature: 71
Hottest month: July and August – average high 89
Coldest month: Jan. – average low 39
Annual rainfall: 64.76 inches
Monthly average rainfall: 5.4 inches
Wettest month: July – 8.74 inches
Driest month: Oct. - 3.5 inches
Record high temperature: July 1980 – 101
Record low temperature: Jan. 1985 – 1
Hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30 each year
Major hurricanes (Category 3 and higher) that have struck the Northwest Gulf Coast of Florida in the past 154 years: 14

[As of 06/06/08 – source NOAA]

Demographics

Population (2000 census): 36,417 full time residents
Total Area: 26.7 square miles – 20.5 sq. miles land, 6.2 sq. miles water
Per capita income: $17,830
Median family income: $40,890
Median age: 37
Population ratio (males: females): 94.4:100
Major industry: Air Force and Navy, tourism
 
Local Directory

Schools (Elementary)

Cedar Grove
Hiland Park
Hutchinson Bch
Lucille Moore
Merriam Cherry
Millville
Northside     
Oakland Terrace       
West Bay
Parker          
Patronis
Patterson
St. Andrew       
Tommy Smith 
Bay Haven Charter Academy

Schools (K-12)
Bozeman Learning Academy

Schools (Middle)
Everitt                   
Jinks                       
Merritt Brown
Rosenwald   
Surfside

Schools (High)
Arnold          
Harris                    
Bay

Colleges
Gulf Coast Community College
Florida State University – PC Campus

Law enforcement
Bay County Sheriff's Dept. – (850) 747-4700
Panama City Police  - (850) 872-3100
Post offices             
Downtown – 421 Jenks Ave. – (850) 763-6509
Eastside – 5310 E. Hwy 98 – (850) 871-5510
Northside – 1315 W. 17th St. – (850) 914-2539
Tyndall AFB – 730 Suwannee Rd. – (850) 283-3420

Library
25 West Government Street – (850) 872-7500 
116 Arnold Road, P.C. Bch – (850) 233-5055 (voice + TDD) 

Fire station
600 E. Business 98 – (850) 872-3030 (non-emergency)

City Hall
9 Harrison Ave. – (850) 872-3001

Community Centers
Martin Luther King Jr. - 705 East 14th Court – (850) 872-3085
Glenwood - 722 East 9th Court – (850) 872-7255
Oakland Terrace - 1900 West 11th – (850) 872-3095

Chamber of Commerce
Bay County/Panama City - 235 West 5th Street – (850) 785-5206

Visitors’ Center
PCB Convention & Visitor Bureau – 17001 Panama City Beach Pkwy. – (850) 233-5070

Airport
Panama City/Bay Co. International Airport, 3173 Airport Rd. – commercial flights including Atlantic Southeast Airline (Delta), Comair (Delta Connection), Northwest Airlines, Chautauqua Airlines

For Things to Do in Panama City, click here