Blog Northwest Florida

It's been a while since I have posted anything about Pensacola Beach so I think it's time! The summer is behind us, the vacationers - for the most part - have left our tiny strip of white sand beach fronting the Gulf of Mexico. Our real estate sales have slowed as they normally do until the spring when this beautiful island, population roughly 3,000 souls, is once again discovered by those seeking paradise (Or at least warm sandy beaches!). So, I'd like to share, via photos, some of the things I love most about the beach:

 I can't think of much that is more fun than watching the surfers catch the waves. Unless maybe it is actually surfing the waves.

Pensacola Beach is the home to a dedicated group of surfers who you can find, regardless of weather, honing their craft in the emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Of course, our waves aren't big, but what better place to learn to surf and WOW what scenery.

 And then there is sailing.

Quietwater Beach on the north side of Santa Rosa Island provides the perfect sheltered harbor for sailing, kayaking, wind surfing, swimming . . . in short, any and all of the "quietwater" water sports.

And there are plenty of restaurants and bars on Quietwater Beach, so you are only steps from good food, drink and music.

This is generally a quiet, family beach. Until, that is, Blue Angel weekend when hundreds of boats crowd the Quietwater Beach area in search of the PERFECT spot to raft up and watch the hometown heros' spectacular show.

And here's "You Know Who" with her big catch for the year, a 16-plus pound red snapper. I can't say you are assured of a big catch like this, but I've been pretty fortunate! Snapper, grouper and amber jack are plentiful off our island.

There are a number of charter boats leaving Pensacola Pass every day for their favorite fishing spots. Hop aboard and see what you catch!

Every Tuesday evening, May through September, you can find an enthusiastic crowds with their lawn chairs, coolers and dancing shoes (or flip flops) taking in the free Bands on the Beach concert at Casino Beach in the heart of Pensacola Beach. From blues to rock to island sounds and even hip hop, the bands play on!

While not technically on Pensacola Beach (Juanas is on Navarre Beach at the east end of Santa Rosa Island), Juanas Pagoda serves the MEANEST sticky buns in Northwest Florida. These buns are gigantic - and truly sticky.

When I'm feeling really frisky and in need of a great breakfast treat I actually ride my bike down the island, through the National Seashore, to Juanas. You can sit out on their deck overlooking the Santa Rosa Sound if you arrive sweaty like I usually do, or you can dine inside in air-conditioned comfort. With the exception of Sunday morning, the line isn't usually too long!

An early morning group ride down Santa Rosa Island through the National Seashore. Suppose they stopped at Juanas for the buns?

What a great venue for riding. J. Earl Bowden Way has just been repaved and has a great bicycle shoulder.

The National seashore is also my favorite place for snorkeling, swimming, beachcombing, birdwatching and on-shore fishing.

Then there are the gorgeous beach homes. From the island's original 1950s concrete block homes to Gulf front mansions, Pensacola Beach boasts a variety of housing styles and options.

While a single family home appeals to many, the amenities found in the many beach condos appeal to others. Me, I like them ALL! As the saying goes, "If you're lucky enough to be on the beach you're lucky enough!"

Colorful beach floats line the shops at Quitewater Beach.

Want a dinosaur float or will a dolphin make you feel like a real sea creature? No problem, you will find them all on the Boardwalk!

There are PLENTY of wonderful seafood restaurants on Pensacola Beach.

Crabs at Casino Beach is just one of my favorites.

Guess what sea creatures they serve most?

And finally, the thing I love absolutely love most about Pensacola Beach:

The Truly Amazing Sunsets! Or as we like to say, "Wine Time."

You know it's almost summer when it's time for the Tuesday evening Pensacola Beach ritual Bands on the Beach!

This Tuesday, May 5, marks the start of the 2009 Bands on the Beach series with Wildwood, a group regionally knows for their rock, blues, Beatles tunes and reggae rhythm. The free concerts are hosted by the Santa Rosa Island Authority at the Gulfside Pavilion on Pensacola Beach and run through September 22.

Put on your flip flops and bring a chair. The concerts are family friendly and usually draw a crowd of 1,000 to 2,000. Picnic baskets and coolers are the order of the day!

For a schedule of this season's Bands on the Beach go to www.PensacolaForYou.com and click on the Events button just below the tiny blue crab. See you at the beach!

What an absolutely AMAZING place to live! The Florida Department of Transportation opened J. Earl Bowden Way in the Gulf Islands National Seashore to traffic on Friday and - WOW - did I forget just how much I missed this gorgeous stretch of Gulf front road!

The road, which was damaged during Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and again by Huricane Dennis in 2005, once again links Pensacola Beach and Navarre Beach and the drive is nothing short of spectacular. I was out on the road on Saturday taking photos of my husband and a group of his friends who were out for a training bike ride and I just have to share!

The weather was in the mid 70s on Saturday - a perfect day for a long bike ride and the group rode 70 miles. Their loop took them from Gulf Breeze, out Garcon Point to I-10, back to Gulf Breeze and over to Navarre Beach - down the National Seashore to Pensacola Beach and finally back to Gulf Breeze.

So - with the weather forecast to remain sunny and in the 70s through the weekend, who could resist a bike ride Sunday afternoon followed by an 8k run to benefit the Midway (Gulf Breeze) Fire Department and Muscular Dystrophy? Jay and some of his friends participated in the run and I served as back up crew.

Anyone who loves the outdoors will feel at home in Northwest Florida. The temperate climate and abundant access to waterways, parks, trails and outdoor events is truly unparalleled.

Forgot to mention that we actually started the weekend early with a free (almost free - admission is a food donation to Manna Food Bank) concert in downtown Pensacola Thursday evening; "Radio Live", sponsored by the Universtiy of West Florida's WUWF radio station.

The start of the Gulf Breeze Midway Fire Department's 8K Run to benefit the Fire Department and Muscular Distrophy. The well attended run was held Sunday afternoon and the course wound it's way from the Fire Department on Gulf Breeze Parkway through several neighborhoods.

Would you like more information on living in a place that will make you feel every day is a vacation?

Please visit my website, www.PensacolaForYou.com for home searches and information on the Greater Pensacola Bay Area.

Since my real estate office is on Pensacola Beach flood insurance is always a "Hot" topic with my real estate clients. Who should buy flood insurance? What does it cost? What is a specila flood hazard area? These are crucial questions when looking at purchasing on or near the water.

Flood insurance is a MUST PURCHASE if you live in a special flood hazard area. According to the Santa Rosa Island Authority Pensacola Beach had 3,349 flood policies in force as of June 2008.

Flood insurance is provided through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) which is federally backed and available to everyone, even those who don't live in a special flood hazard area. Flood insurance is always a separate policy from your homeowners insurance policy, so don't get into the mindset that you have homeowner's insurance so you are covered for flood . . . this just isn't the case.

In my real estate market area, Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, we saw hurricanes in both 2004 and 2005 which resulted in flood insurance claims. Unfortunately, many homeowners - and those with second homes on the beach - were not covered for flood damage. Don't let yourself be caught by surprise like this! When arranging for a home sale I - and my team - always make sure our real estate clients are aware of the necessity for appropriate coverage.

Should you have any questions about flood zone determination on Pensacola Beach, or in other areas of Escambia or Santa Rosa counties, feel free to call me at 850-516-8185.

Click Here for an article on Pensacola Beach improvement plans

Crab Jubilee - Okay, I'll admit it. I'm 50. Fifty is the new 40 you know (But, of course, in my case it's the new 30). Since I'm being honest about my age I have no problem telling you some of the things I remember about the Old Florida. That's the Florida that came WAY before the internet . . . heck that's the Florida that came WAY before Cable television and the 8-Track (if you don't remember 8-tracks, they came WAY before CDs).

When I was a kid we would finish our hastily prepared dinner, load the Igloo cooler with snacks and head to Santa Rosa Island (Pensacola Beach). We would pull the battery out of the car - no kidding - plunk it in a galvanized tub sitting in an inner tube and connect it to lights we floated on the water. My grandfather would tie the inner tube to his belt loop with a rope and pull the entire contraption behind him as we walked through the Santa Rosa Sound (Intracoastal Waterway), nets in hand. What in God's name were we doing you ask? CRABBING - this is the way you caught your fill of Blue Crab in those days and as a kid, it was more fun that Halloween and the Interstate Fair all wrapped into one.

Now, this is a thing most people have never witnessed, but I count myself among the lucky few (relatively speaking) who have been on the beach at the height of a Jubilee. The biologists will tell you a Jubilee occurs when there is too little oxygen in the water and the crabs make their way to the shore. I will tell you that a Jubilee is a CRAZY TEAMING MASS of Blue Crab making their way to shore by the hundreds of thousands come hell or high water.

I have only seen one Jubilee in my adult life (a small one at that), so I suspect we have done something to alter our environment in such a way as to eliminate this amazing phenomenon. But I cherish the memory of being a child, dozing off in the back seat of a Ford Fairlane, surrounded by buckets of Blue Crab, bubbling their last breaths as we trundled down the highway toward a backyard overflowing with aunts, uncles and cousins all gathered around a bonfire prepared just for one of our southern crab boil get-togethers.

Crab Jubilee - The Florida Panhandle

For More Articles like this:

Blue Crab Jubilee - Wild Delaware

Alabama - Great Days Outdoor Magazine

Mobile Bay Jubilee - Wikipedia

Gulf Coast Vacation Rentals - Friends and fellow Realtors (Not that you're two separate groups . . . we're all friends here!) Here's my truly Shameless Plug for my lovely vacation rental on beautiful Pensacola Beach:

Imagine lounging on your wrap-around balcony, sipping your beverage of choice while you watch the waves roll in from the Gulf of Mexico . . . white sand beaches . . . emerald green water . . . deep sea fishing . . . sea shell scavenging . . . river canoe trips . . .

Well, enough of the ad talk. I have a great, new, three bedroom, three bath condo that I rent on a short term basis. It's pretty busy during the season, but there's lots of availability after Labor Day - when the weather is really perfect (in my humble opinion).

Mention Active Rain for a Special Discount Just for You!

Just click to see Robin's Beach Condo

Bands on the Beach - Pensacola . . . Grab your lawn chairs, the cooler and blankets, get some sand in your shoes! There's no better way to wind down from a hectic day at work than to enjoy the sunset and music at the Gulfside Pavilion at Casino Beach overlooking the amazing white sand beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. Every Tuesday evening from 7 to 9pm a local band wows the crowds at the Bands on the Beach event. 

Everyone is invited - it's free - and, trust me, the people watching is second to none. We've got grannies and grand dads swing dancing, children doing handstands and, well, you name it you will probably see it (All G-rated for sure!).

The event is sponsored by the Santa Rosa Island Authority. Here's the line-up for the remainder of the year:

• May 27: Wildwood
• June 3: A Touch of Gray
• June 10: Midnight Confessions
• June 17: Tin Feet
• June 24: Civilized Natives
• July 1: Local Hero
• July 8: The Dinosaurs
• July 15: The Kyle Parker Bankd
• July 22: The Reunion Band
• July 29: Nashville Country Night
• Aug. 5: Dr. Breeze
• Aug. 12: Mass Kunfuzion
• Aug. 19: The Fort Morgan Slammers
• Aug. 26: Crosstown
• Sept. 2: DMTs
• Sept. 9: Not Quite Fab
• Sept. 16: The Kee Creek Band
• Sept. 23 Big Muddy
• Sept. 30: Wildwood

Emerald Dolphin condominiums - Pensacola Beach Bargains! It's opportunity time on Pensacola Beach. Emerald Dolphin is a SUPER condo project (so SUPER that I had to buy one myself . . . ) There are currently eight listings in the Emerald Dolphin. This is one of the newer condos on Pensacola Beach - completed in December of '06 - and truly one of the better buys on the beach.

Here's why:

1. Superior Construction - built to the latest hurricane codes and with three levels of parking below the first floor (blow through), the building is built to last.
2. While on the beach - See Photo - this building is built far enough behind the dune line to be protected from the storms.
3. FABULOUS VIEWS - views from the end units with wrap around balconies take in both the white sand beaches of the Gulf of Mexico, the Santa Rosa Sound and Pensacola Bay. WOW!
4. State of the Art Exercise Facility - Work out with a view to the Gulf. Doesn't get much better . . .
5. Short walk to Peg Leg Pete's restaurant and Lafite's Marina.
6. Pensacola Beach is a true gem. This barrier island has only 8.2 miles of beach in development, bordered by 15 miles of state parks and National Seashore. 
7. There's only so much white sand Gulf out there!

Here are the units currently available at the Emerald Dolphin:

Four two bedroom/two bath units at 1235 square feet. Prices range from $449,800 to $625,000.

Two two bedroom/two bath units with a bunk room at 1345 square feet. Prices range from $$495,000 to $499,900.

One three bedroom/three bath unit at 1691 square feet priced at - NO KIDDING - $625,000.

One four bedroom/three bath unit at 1986 square feet priced at $695,000.

Want more information? As an owner, I know all the ins and outs and would be happy to share everything about these fabulous condos. The Emerald Dolphin on Pensacola Beach - SUPER time to buy!

Pensacola Beach Market Update- The white sand beaches and emerald green waters of Pensacola Beach draw tourists like a magnet. Who can resist kicking off the shoes and wiggling those little piggies in the soft white sand? But some serious real estate business is going on here so here's the report:

The numbers look good; sales are up as are average and median prices (significantly), but given the small number of sales overall, the numbers for '08 are actually skewed by sales in a new high end Gulf front project (Beach Club). Two of these sales were over $2,200,000 and one over $1,000,000 with most over $800,000. It's all about how far we drill down on the numbers . . .

In truth, like most of the Gulf Coast, we are seeing some super bargains right now. Pensacola Beach Market Update numbers taken from the Pensacola Association of Realtors Multiple Listing Service.