Go here at least once!!! The experience is worth it!

While I agree with many of the negative reviews of Panama City Beach on this site, I would also like to point out some of the postive things about the area. True, PCB can be a party town, especially during Spring Break, but it can also be a laid-back family atmosphere if you make the right choices. My friends and I chose to rent a condo during Spring Break (instead of the typical hotel room full of college students), which turned out to be the best decision we have ever made. It was not too expensive, located very near the strip (for convenience), part of a gated community (very safe...you had to use a code to get in or out and your car must have a decal that they give you upon arrival). It was a quiet community with pools, tennis, miniature golf, etc. There were mostly older people and families in the area. I'll be honest, this was a far cry from the party we came looking for during Spring Break...but, all we had to do was walk outside the gates and the party was there waiting (at night, of course). For those thinking it is a 24 hour party...ummm...no! The strip doesn't even get packed with teenagers until after 10pm, and some nights the cops keep the crowds away completely. Parts of the beaches during the day are covered with rowdy drunk teenagers and college students, but there are long stretches with little to no people (this is where most of the families and older generation tend to lay down their towels). The Gulfarium is on the strip, there are lots of stores, bowling, miniature golf, great places to eat...all things for families!!! However, if you are looking for a party, and not the family atmosphere...I got that, too! We went to Club La Vela three nights and had so much fun. We got to hear some great bands and danced till we dropped...The strip is fun at night if ya like to drive...it's kind of like Mardi Gras (ha! if you get my drift). The locals were awesome...everyone was very nice, very fun. The traffic can be a problem if you are on a time schedule...with construction going on it seems nonstop...Personally, I liked the slow traffic because it gave me a chance to check out all the sites on the way in. I was a bit disappointed by the appearance of the city (with all the construction, it really looks a mess in some areas), but the beaches were great! We spent day after day on the beach laying out in the sun watching the little kids build sand castles and the hot guys walk by...we didn't get in the water, because it looked very, very muddy the entire time we were there. I was told that the water isn't always like that...I never saw the crystal clear waters everyone talks so much about! The prices are a bit high on everything except hermit crabs and t-shirts, so plan ahead for that! I loved my stay so much that I am going back in a couple of weeks! I definitely recommend a stay In Panama City Beach, but remember to do a little research into the area before you go. A little effort goes a long way! Meg

5 June 2005 | tigerorchid03

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A Beach Community in Transition

I've been going to Laguna Beach (just west of PC Beach) for over 30 years. A relative has a 2nd home there so my rent is to mow the grass (can't beat that rate!) I've seen it change alot in that time. It is undergoing another renewal now with some of the older hotels giving way to new ones and/or condos. My only complaint is that they are building tall structures right on the beach which is great for the folks staying there, but not so great for others behind them. PC Beach is a wonderful destination still, but to really have a classier, more family atmosphere, stay I recommend going a bit west of PC Beach to Laguna Beach, Pinnacle Port, or even out of Bay county into Walton where you will find Seagrove Beach, Seaside, and Watercolor Beach that are more "quaint", planned developments that the communities have controled development and kept the beaches more pristine and accessible. However, if you are after a more "party" atmosphere, PC Beach hotels/condos and bars are the place to be.

5 June 2005 | A Yahoo! User

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Love it!

I've been going for 25+ years and I love it. I still haven't managed to do everything I want to do yet. Zoo World is awesome. Love PCB!

5 June 2005 | A Yahoo! User

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What happened to PCB?

We've been going to PCB for 20 years--like home away from home. Unfortunately they have destroyed the very atmosphere people go for. Too many condos lining Beach Front Rd. Family atmosphere is gone--they've torn it down and replaced it with a concrete jungle. Sad to see. We'll be going elsewhere for our vacations!

5 June 2005 | A Yahoo! User

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Going back again

My girlfriend and I went to PCB last year. I was 21 and she was 20. We had the times of our lives. It was my first visit to any ocean and I was amazed at how beautiful the colors of the water and sand were. We are going back this summer in a little over a month. It is honestly the last thing I think of when I fall asleep and the first thing I think of when I wake up. The Chateau is a great place to stay and is pretty affordable. We are staying there again this year. If you want to see the beach and have a good time PCB is the right place for you.

5 June 2005 | A Yahoo! User

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We cant wait to go back!!!

Mw and my family went to PCB for the first time last summer. It was really hard to find a hotel, so i advise you to get reservations, we had to drive 30min out of PCB to get a hotel. The strip is a little crazy at night but hey.. Its kinda fun to watch. Our favorite part was dolphin watching and going to Shell Island. PCB is a wonderful place for a vacation and i cant wait till me and my family go back.

5 June 2005 | A Yahoo! User

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I cant wait to go back!!!!

I loved being in Panama City Beach. I had so much fun. I went shopping,golfing,fishing,swiming,sight watching! I enjoyed going to The Carousel. It is a grocery store/gift shop. They were very nice. Nancy Oprisko works in the gift shop and helped me find gifts for my friends and family. She also recommened restaurants that were excellent! She was a sweetheart!

5 June 2005 | A Yahoo! User

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We Love The Beach!!!!

My family and I have been coming to PCB for 30 years and now I bring my kids. It is close to home and we LOVE the beaches. They are beautiful. The crowds at night on the strip are bad, but we just take a back road to get back to our home. We love it so much my parents recently bought a house on the beach!! We go as much as we can!!

5 June 2005 | A Yahoo! User

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We are ready to come back!

I loved the atmosphere. Everyone was so laid back. We had a wonderful experience in Panama City. There are so many family oriented activities as well as plenty of places to party. The only drawback is evrything was very expensive.

5 June 2005 | A Yahoo! User

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Messing up a good thing

I have been going to PCB for 40 years now. They have torn down all the old hotels and are building high rise condos. We were there in May 2004, and there was construction everywhere. The beaches are still beautiful but the condos being built are for the rich and famous. I will always love this place, but is has lost a lot of its appeal.

5 June 2005 | A Yahoo! User

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