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Where I Used to Vacation Has Become My Hometown: Pensacola, Florida

There's no wonder why so many choose to retire here.

By Crystal A. WolfePublished 2 years ago 6 min read
Top Story - July 2022
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Photo by Joe Ciciarelli on Unsplash

For more than twenty years, I’ve been in and out of the Florida Panhandle. From New Orleans to Panama City, I’ve lived in all of the cities along the Gulf Coast at one time or another. However, I keep coming back to Pensacola, Florida.

When my boyfriend (and now husband) was stationed here, Pensacola, Florida was my vacation spot where I’d travel to get to see him. However, it’s no longer the place that has been our romantic getaway but has become our hometown.

In fact, I’ve met a lot of residents here who have done the same and have planted roots in “ The City of Five Flags.”

Rich in History

Gauld, George, publisher, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Pensacola dates back to 1559 as America’s First Settlement and predates Jamestown, Virginia by 48 years.

As one of the oldest cities, it’s had an interesting history as it’s been ruled by Spanish, French, British, Confederate, and American flags, hence the name “The City of Five Flags.”

With as many visitors and settlers as Pensacola has had throughout the century, there should be no surprise that it also has a lot of tales and stories; especially ghost stories.

Sugar Sand Beaches

Images captured by the author

The beaches here are amazing. With the city tucked inside a bay and protected by two barrier islands, there is no shortage of sand to dig your toes into. I have run along the pink beaches of Bermuda and chased the waves along the black beaches of Iceland. However, the feeling of Pensacola’s powdery soft sugar sand is my favorite.

Although many visitors frequent Pensacola Beach, I have learned to skip it as it’s more of a tourist trap. As a result, it’s difficult to appreciate nature’s beauty when you’re surrounded by an overpopulated stretch of sand.

As a result, I go to the less populated beaches with my favorite being Johnson’s Beach.

Johnson’s Beach is located at the tip of the west barrier island and the pass to Pensacola Bay. It’s also a part of the Gulf Island’s National Seashore where sea turtles often nest. During the summer months, I enjoy staying until sunset when the ghost crabs are often seen crossing Fort McRae road between Big Lagoon and the Gulf of Mexico.

Military Friendly

Photo by John Biondo from Pexels

Pensacola is also the home of NAS Pensacola, which is a huge naval base that was commissioned in 1914 and spans more than 8,400 acres of land. It’s also the location where important historical figures such as John H. Glenn and Neil Armstrong have received their flight training. In fact, chances are that you’ll find them mentioned somewhere in Pensacola’s National Aviation Museum.

NAS Pensacola is also the home to the iconic Blue Angels. Each year, they put on an amazing air show. However, as a resident of Pensacola, I get to see them practice all of the time since the airstrip is practically in my backyard.

Not far from where the F-18s take off, you can also find the Pensacola Lighthouse which was featured on Ghost Hunters and the Travel Channel’s Most Haunted Lighthouses segment.

Panhandle Florida vs. South Florida

When many people think of Florida, usually 5 thoughts come to mind:

  • Beaches
  • Palm Trees
  • Gators
  • Disney World
  • Craziness

Of course, all of those exist in Florida. However, the vibe is very different depending on which part of the state you are in. South Florida is very tropical, busy, and pulsing with culture. Central Florida is where you’ll get the Disney vibe. It’s also riddled with lakes and state parks making it a great camping destination.

Then you have I-10 stretching across the Florida Panhandle. This is where the vibe starts to feel a bit more laid back. On the east side, you have Jacksonville just a hop-skip-and-jump from Georgia. To the west, you have Pensacola.

It’s not a huge city like Tallahassee or Jacksonville, but it’s a decent size and growing. In fact, the tallest buildings here average 20 floors (232 ft) and are comprised of beach condominiums. However, the further away from the beach you go, the more “country” the area feels like. So much so, that the west side of Pensacola beaches on what is known as “Flora-Bama.” Here, you’ll find some uniquely southern activities such as the Mullet Toss which involves a giant beach party where visitors can participate in the 30+ year tradition of throwing a mullet fish across the state line.

Excellent Food Choices

Photo by Mike Bergmann on Unsplash

Pensacola is a sweet spot to be along the Gulf of Mexico; especially if you enjoy eating seafood. To the east are the Apalachicola oysters, which produced approximately 90% of Florida’s oysters.

Unfortunately — due to over-harvesting an ecosystem imbalance of freshwater — the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has recently banned oyster harvesting in Apalachicola until 2025 to help them recover.

No problem and it’s a necessary step to restore nature’s balance. However, to the west, there are plenty of oysters in the Mississippi Sound and next door in New Orleans that are also very tasty.

If oysters are not something you’re interested in, that’s okay! Another highly sought after delicacy is red snapper and open during very brief periods in the fishing season. In fact, I’d say this is in my “Top 3 Favorite Fish to Eat.”

I’m not much of a fisherman, so I always rely on going to Joe Patti’s next to downtown Pensacola. There, I can get everything from shark, frog legs, conch, and more! Each time I go, I make sure to get at least a pound of freshly steamed Gulf Coast shrimp.

Just a stone’s throw away, you’ll also find some of the best Cajun food in the U.S. Nothing will ever beat getting a bowl of hot Étouffée, Gumbo, or Jambalaya from New Orleans, but that’s the beauty of Pensacola: It’s just a few hours drive away!

I’m looking forward to the Amtrak returning and I can jump on the train and disembark in the heart of the French Quarter…if it ever comes back online.

Not looking to drive all the way to NOLA for some Cajun? Also no problem. Locally, you should have no issues finding a place for a low-country boil, fried gator bites, or King Cake during Mardi Gras. After all, Pensacola’s neighbor — Mobile, Alabama — (45 minutes west) is where Mardi Gras originated!

Other Pensacola Attractions

Although the historic downtown area and beaches are often at the top of visitors’ lists, there’s still plenty to do around Pensacola. Here are some suggestions if you plan on passing through.

I would have never imagined a Midwestern girl like me who grew up on Tornado Alley would end up living on the Gulf Coast of Florida, but c’est la vie (“That’s life”).

Have you been to Pensacola, Florida? If so, what was your favorite part about it? Tell us in the comments!

If you like this story, consider giving these articles a read! 👇

Hearts ❤️ and tips ️💸 are always welcome and much appreciated as they help support my writing! 🙏

This article was originally published on Medium and CrystalsWritingRoom.

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About the Creator

Crystal A. Wolfe

Blogger | Creative Writer | Traveler | Full-Time RVer

You can find all of my articles on my blog as well on Medium where I'm most active in Humor, Lifestyle, and Travel. I've self-published one fantasy fiction with the sequel in the works.

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  • renqiangqiang2 years ago

    You're talking about a whip

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