Introduction to Panama City Beach

100 miles E. of Pensacola, 100 miles SW of Tallahassee

Panama City Beach, a spring-break mecca once erroneously featured as a bleak, desolate wasteland of sun and strip malls in the Ashley Judd film Ruby in Paradise, has long been known as the "Redneck Riviera," since it's a mecca for millions of vacationers from the bordering states of Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. It still has a seemingly unending strip of bars, amusement parks, and old-fashioned motels. But this lively and crowded destination (in season) also has luxury resorts and condominiums to go along with its 20-plus miles of sandy beaches, golf courses, fishing, boating, and fresh seafood.

Panama City Beach is the most seasonal resort in Northwest Florida, since many restaurants, attractions, and some hotels close between October and March. Spring break is a big deal here; MTV sets up shop in Panama City Beach for its annual beach-party broadcasts.