When Is Panama City Going To Wise Up

[LT4PLY]

You can really take the comparisons to Lauderdale and throw them in the garbage. It's a totally different year round climate. It's right next to Miami, etc. What Lauderdale did it had the means to do. Panama City can't do the same.

Daytona is a better comparison because it is more isolated but it still is far better situated than PCB. It's only an hour ish from Orlando and the lowest highs of the year will be in the 60's. It also has a super speedway and bike week(s) to get some dough in... And once again, daytona was in bad shape a couple years after they ran off MTV and the spring breakers.

PCB isn't an hour away from anything other than planted pine trees. The closest places are Pensacola and Tallahassee... The former has its own white sandy beach and the latter isn't exactly Miami. The locals have done a crap job with putting any sort of highway in to get there and fully enjoy a long local road with 150 changes to the speed limit from 35-65MPH and several dozen cops patrolling it. The airport that St. Joe added has been a failure so far.

The typical summer attendance is from Southern GA, AL, and maybe some more northern places like Tenn. Many normal PCB summer vacationers aren't exactly upper crust. This isn't a knock on them... just pointing out that if your typical vacationer is a Busch lite drinking person the economics aren't that great for the local businesses. PCB outside of spring break really is a smokin' deal. There aren't many places you can stay for cheaper and get to experience arguably once of the nicest beaches on the planet.

In winter it is a ghost town. I actually had a difficult time finding a place to eat breakfast one time outside of Waffle house or McDonalds.

Another note is the money is right down the road in Destin. If PCB runs off the spring breakers they aren't going to attract the high dollar spender in their place because if they like the area they are already going to Destin.

 

[jamnolfin]

Originally posted by LT4PLY:
You can really take the comparisons to Lauderdale and throw them in the garbage. It's a totally different year round climate. It's right next to Miami, etc. What Lauderdale did it had the means to do. Panama City can't do the same.



Daytona is a better comparison because it is more isolated but it still is far better situated than PCB. It's only an hour ish from Orlando and the lowest highs of the year will be in the 60's. It also has a super speedway and bike week(s) to get some dough in... And once again, daytona was in bad shape a couple years after they ran off MTV and the spring breakers.



PCB isn't an hour away from anything other than planted pine trees. The closest places are Pensacola and Tallahassee... The former has its own white sandy beach and the latter isn't exactly Miami. The locals have done a crap job with putting any sort of highway in to get there and fully enjoy a long local road with 150 changes to the speed limit from 35-65MPH and several dozen cops patrolling it. The airport that St. Joe added has been a failure so far.



The typical summer attendance is from Southern GA, AL, and maybe some more northern places like Tenn. Many normal PCB summer vacationers aren't exactly upper crust. This isn't a knock on them... just pointing out that if your typical vacationer is a Busch lite drinking person the economics aren't that great for the local businesses. PCB outside of spring break really is a smokin' deal. There aren't many places you can stay for cheaper and get to experience arguably once of the nicest beaches on the planet.



In winter it is a ghost town. I actually had a difficult time finding a place to eat breakfast one time outside of Waffle house or McDonalds.



Another note is the money is right down the road in Destin. If PCB runs off the spring breakers they aren't going to attract the high dollar spender in their place because if they like the area they are already going to Destin.

I live between PCB and Destin and everybody I know avoids Destin like the plague. To much crap shoved in to small a place and it's all chains
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[LesClaypool]

I think you guys should keep arguing about how many spring breakers went to Ft Lauderdale vs PCB.

It's fascinating.

 

[SeminoleSuber15]

Just like the people that live there are saying it's not the spring breakers that are the major problem. I've been to pc on spring break twice my first two years of college. All we did was get drunk and act dumb like the majority of everyone else on spring break. I was just there this past weekend visiting family and drove down Thomas drive. First thing I noticed is all the thugs holding their pants up walking down the strip and they even look old. All the locals will tell you it's these people that are truly ruining the fun for the kids . Cops can handle drunk college kids having fun. It's these punks that have no business being there that are being violent and bringing the bad news to Panama City. I love Panama City beach and hope they can find a way to eliminate this problem
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[jamnolfin]

Originally posted by SeminoleSuber15:
Just like the people that live there are saying it's not the spring breakers that are the major problem. I've been to pc on spring break twice my first two years of college. All we did was get drunk and act dumb like the majority of everyone else on spring break. I was just there this past weekend visiting family and drove down Thomas drive. First thing I noticed is all the thugs holding their pants up walking down the strip and they even look old. All the locals will tell you it's these people that are truly ruining the fun for the kids . Cops can handle drunk college kids having fun. It's these punks that have no business being there that are being violent and bringing the bad news to Panama City. I love Panama City beach and hope they can find a way to eliminate this problem
Posted from Rivals Mobile

Yep, just like the loser that crashed a college party and started shooting innocent people because his ex girlfriend dumped him.

 

[naughtynole]

Oh those Ft. Lauderdale Spring Breaks. What a blast. The Parrot Lounge and the 7 glasses of rot gut beer for a buck. Couldn't beat it.

 

[FSUFrank]

Bingo.....it's not a spring break issue....it's a demographics issue.


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[NDallasRuss]

Originally posted by goldmom:

My kids went to Cancun or Padre and it was pretty crazy I'm sure. But PCB is just out of control.

I did Padre once when I was in college - it was a LOT of fun. I'm pretty sure there were around 750,000 kids there for Spring Break that year - let me see if I can find a link or two...

 

[SeaPA]

WTF is wrong with you candyasses? A few people getting shot every now & then is a small price to pay for playing host to a bunch of drunk, horny, nekkid college chicks.

 

[AUCE Nole]

Destin > PCB

 

[jamnolfin]

Originally posted by AUCE Nole:
Destin > PCB

You must not live around her

 

[AUCE Nole]

Live in Tally and went to PCB every year for 15+ years, thank you very much. Didn't mean to rain on your PCB parade. Personally
I find Destin to be much nicer/cleaner.

Not hating on PCB, but simply endorsing Destin. Lighten up, local.

 

[nolesincebirth]

I worked on PCB during the mid to late 90s at a beachfront hotel. The businesses absolutely need spring break to recover from the slow winter. The hotel would jack the rates up sky high for spring break, require a high security deposit, etc. It would get rowdy but was an economic boom. That was also a great job for an 18-19 yr old!
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[jamnolfin]

Originally posted by AUCE Nole:
Live in Tally and went to PCB every year for 15+ years, thank you very much. Didn't mean to rain on your PCB parade. Personally

I find Destin to be much nicer/cleaner.



Not hating on PCB, but simply endorsing Destin. Lighten up, local.

So you are a tourist. I like the 30A area and avoid both PCB and Destin, stay west of Pier Park and east of SanDestin

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[AUCE Nole]

Thanks for the travel tips, especially the one about avoiding PCB. I will consult you next time I plan a trip.

 

[NoleNewsIsGoodNews]

Saying PCB is nicer than Destin is as dumb as saying South Central is nicer than Beverly Hills

PCB is strictly for people who don't have enough money to rent/vacation/ or live in Destin..Sandestin or South Walton

 

[DanC78]

Originally posted by NoleNe...odNews:

Saying PCB is nicer than Destin is as dumb as saying South Central is nicer than Beverly Hills

PCB is strictly for people who don't have enough money to rent/vacation/ or live in Destin..Sandestin or South Walton

That's a ridiculously ignorant statement. PCB is much nicer, Destin is out dated and to cluttered. Anyone who remotely knows the area can tell you this.

Destin < PCB < 30A
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[jamnolfin]

Originally posted by jamnolfin:

Originally posted by AUCE Nole:


Live in Tally and went to PCB every year for 15+ years, thank you very much. Didn't mean to rain on your PCB parade. Personally

I find Destin to be much nicer/cleaner.



Not hating on PCB, but simply endorsing Destin. Lighten up, local.

So you are a tourist. I like the 30A area and avoid both PCB and Destin, stay west of Pier Park and east of SanDestin



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Avoid driving through, not vacation. It takes 45 minutes on a busy weekend to get from Sandestin to the bridge, it's insanity
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[cmanole]

Originally posted by DanC78:

Originally posted by NoleNe...odNews:

Saying PCB is nicer than Destin is as dumb as saying South Central is nicer than Beverly Hills

PCB is strictly for people who don't have enough money to rent/vacation/ or live in Destin..Sandestin or South Walton

That's a ridiculously ignorant statement. PCB is much nicer, Destin is out dated and to cluttered. Anyone who remotely knows the area can tell you this.

Destin < PCB < 30A
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30A > Anna Maria > Longboat > Destin > Siesta Key > Gulf Shores > Sanibel > Daytona > PCB

 

[jamnolfin]

Originally posted by cmanole:

Originally posted by DanC78:

Originally posted by NoleNe...odNews:



Saying PCB is nicer than Destin is as dumb as saying South Central is nicer than Beverly Hills

PCB is strictly for people who don't have enough money to rent/vacation/ or live in Destin..Sandestin or South Walton

That's a ridiculously ignorant statement. PCB is much nicer, Destin is out dated and to cluttered. Anyone who remotely knows the area can tell you this.



Destin < PCB < 30A

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30A > Anna Maria > Longboat > Destin > Siesta Key > Gulf Shores > Sanibel > Daytona > PCB

Daytona? I never put a toe in that water unless I'm surfing. Gulf Shores Alabama?
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[kc78]

I lived in FWB for several years and preferred Destin to PCB, but maybe I was just visiting the wrong parts of PCB. I loved Destin in the winter, in the high capacity summer times and spring break I tried to avoid all of 98.

 

[FSUTribe76]

Originally posted by cmanole:

30A > Anna Maria > Longboat > Destin > Siesta Key > Gulf Shores > Sanibel > Daytona > PCB

I'm about 90-95% with you.

But Grayton used to be my favorite beach in Florida (and probably anywhere outside of the Tulum/Playa del Carmen area and Bondi Beach with its crystal clear water and tall cliffs surrounding it), but after our recent camping trip to the Fort Pickens area of the Gulf Shores National Seashore I think that's passed up Grayton and Cumberland Island for best beach in the South. They're probably 1A, 1B and 1C though.

 

[DanC78]

Originally posted by FSUTribe76:

Originally posted by cmanole:

30A > Anna Maria > Longboat > Destin > Siesta Key > Gulf Shores > Sanibel > Daytona > PCB

I'm about 90-95% with you.

But Grayton used to be my favorite beach in Florida (and probably anywhere outside of the Tulum/Playa del Carmen area and Bondi Beach with its crystal clear water and tall cliffs surrounding it), but after our recent camping trip to the Fort Pickens area of the Gulf Shores National Seashore I think that's passed up Grayton and Cumberland Island for best beach in the South. They're probably 1A, 1B and 1C though.

Yall are on crack...Destin is over rated unless your playing golf or going to outlets. Everything else is equal to or less than PCB.
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[FSUTribe76]

Originally posted by FSUTribe76:

Originally posted by cmanole:

30A > Anna Maria > Longboat > Destin > Siesta Key > Gulf Shores > Sanibel > Daytona > PCB

I'm about 90-95% with you.

But Grayton used to be my favorite beach in Florida (and probably anywhere outside of the Tulum/Playa del Carmen area and Bondi Beach with its crystal clear water and tall cliffs surrounding it), but after our recent camping trip to the Fort Pickens area of the Gulf Shores National Seashore I think that's passed up Grayton and Cumberland Island for best beach in the South. They're probably 1A, 1B and 1C though.

As far as the "party beaches", I'm now officially too old to care but back when I did care about such things I usually alternated between PCB and Clearwater. I think Clearwater has lost some of its "party" appeal, but I've been out of the loop for the better part of a decade. I will say that the last girl I dated before meeting my wife was an odd combo of Yale grad and PCB local, so I still went to PCB during Spring Break until about 7 or so years ago as the designated creepy old guy.

 

[FSUTribe76]

And yes, even though I like PCB better than the average Man mixing Yale education with a PCB upbringing is like making a cocktail from champagne and koolaid. Lol

 

[cmanole]

Originally posted by jamnolfin:

Originally posted by cmanole:

Originally posted by DanC78:

Originally posted by NoleNe...odNews:



Saying PCB is nicer than Destin is as dumb as saying South Central is nicer than Beverly Hills

PCB is strictly for people who don't have enough money to rent/vacation/ or live in Destin..Sandestin or South Walton

That's a ridiculously ignorant statement. PCB is much nicer, Destin is out dated and to cluttered. Anyone who remotely knows the area can tell you this.



Destin < PCB < 30A

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30A > Anna Maria > Longboat > Destin > Siesta Key > Gulf Shores > Sanibel > Daytona > PCB

Daytona? I never put a toe in that water unless I'm surfing. Gulf Shores Alabama?
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That was for DanC

 

[divinnole]

My favorite place on any beach is a hazy view from several miles offshore. Use to have similar views of PCB as a lot of you in this thread. However PCB has done a lot in recent years to really upgrade the whole beach scene. I really wish they would get rid of the spring break crowd but beyond that PCB has far more family friendly attractions than Destin/FWB. Pier Park will rival any shopping Destin has to offer plus a fun atmosphere in general. Far safer and better water attractions and activities than Destin.

 

[DDennis73]

Part of the problem is making sure everyone is talking about the same thing. PCB can be a generic term to talk about anything between Lake Powell and Hathaway Bridge. And there is a ton of variety in between those two points. The west end of the beaches in Bay County is really improving. But you cant paint the whole area with a broad brush. Thomas Drive is night and day from Pier Park in terms the crowd you are looking for and what you can do.

Similarly with Destin, the town itself is fairly older with limited things to do, but a lot of folks label the area of beaches in Walton County as Destin which is similarly too broad a brush. 30A is its own area that will never be confused with PCB and there is simply no comparison. But then again, different strokes for different folks. If you want the night life, then PCB might be more your thing.

 

[jamnolfin]

Originally posted by kc78:
I lived in FWB for several years and preferred Destin to PCB, but maybe I was just visiting the wrong parts of PCB. I loved Destin in the winter, in the high capacity summer times and spring break I tried to avoid all of 98.

80s Destin was a slice of heaven. 2015 Destin, different story. Still beautiful though
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[jamnolfin]

Originally posted by KitingHigh:
It's a whole lotta money. Daytona and Lauderdale were never that big. PCB doesn't get the winter crowd that South Florida does either. They need spring break.

It's changing, a lot of people here in the winter
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[DanC78]

Originally posted by jamnolfin:

Originally posted by kc78:
I lived in FWB for several years and preferred Destin to PCB, but maybe I was just visiting the wrong parts of PCB. I loved Destin in the winter, in the high capacity summer times and spring break I tried to avoid all of 98.

80s Destin was a slice of heaven. 2015 Destin, different story. Still beautiful though
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Exactly!!
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[jamnolfin]

Originally posted by DDennis73:
Part of the problem is making sure everyone is talking about the same thing. PCB can be a generic term to talk about anything between Lake Powell and Hathaway Bridge. And there is a ton of variety in between those two points. The west end of the beaches in Bay County is really improving. But you cant paint the whole area with a broad brush. Thomas Drive is night and day from Pier Park in terms the crowd you are looking for and what you can do.



Similarly with Destin, the town itself is fairly older with limited things to do, but a lot of folks label the area of beaches in Walton County as Destin which is similarly too broad a brush. 30A is its own area that will never be confused with PCB and there is simply no comparison. But then again, different strokes for different folks. If you want the night life, then PCB might be more your thing.

That about sums it up nicely. I live 4 blocks from Lake Powell and 2 blocks from the gulf. The only neighbors are mostly vacation homes, very quiet down on this end and Inlet Beach Rivals any beach in Florida, go to Camp Helen and walk on their beach. That's a 1/2 mile from me
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[jamnolfin]

Google Camp Helen pictures and look through them and tell me what you think. I live in a freaking paradise. Jimbo and Bobby both have a house just a few blocks from me
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[DanC78]

Originally posted by jamnolfin:

Originally posted by DDennis73:
Part of the problem is making sure everyone is talking about the same thing. PCB can be a generic term to talk about anything between Lake Powell and Hathaway Bridge. And there is a ton of variety in between those two points. The west end of the beaches in Bay County is really improving. But you cant paint the whole area with a broad brush. Thomas Drive is night and day from Pier Park in terms the crowd you are looking for and what you can do.



Similarly with Destin, the town itself is fairly older with limited things to do, but a lot of folks label the area of beaches in Walton County as Destin which is similarly too broad a brush. 30A is its own area that will never be confused with PCB and there is simply no comparison. But then again, different strokes for different folks. If you want the night life, then PCB might be more your thing.

That about sums it up nicely. I live 4 blocks from Lake Powell and 2 blocks from the gulf. The only neighbors are mostly vacation homes, very quiet down on this end and Inlet Beach Rivals any beach in Florida, go to Camp Helen and walk on their beach. That's a 1/2 mile from me
Posted from Rivals Mobile

And not to sound difficult, but there really isn't as much nightlife as people perceive there to be. Takeaway spinnaker in love Ila, and you don't really have much other than hole in the wall bars up and down the strip.well, you could include peer park with tootsies and half brought beer garden.

So yes, there are plenty watering holes, but I don't know if I'd really consider it nightlife. I think in my life I think more of JAXB each Miami Beach Tampa etc.

Having to use speak to text by the way
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[DDennis73]

What are you defining night life as? Im not sure what Jax Beach might have that PCB doesnt other than terms of numbers and variety, but it all seems to mostly boil back down to different places to either go dancing, listen to some live music or drink.

 

[DanC78]

Originally posted by DDennis73:
What are you defining night life as? Im not sure what Jax Beach might have that PCB doesnt other than terms of numbers and variety, but it all seems to mostly boil back down to different places to either go dancing, listen to some live music or drink.

Yeah, kinda figuring that out now I guess.

I think of night life as clubs I guess. There aren't to many clubs in PCB...but plenty of places to get wasty face and hang...like Jams favorite place, Dustys.
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[jamnolfin]

Originally posted by DanC78:

Originally posted by DDennis73:
What are you defining night life as? Im not sure what Jax Beach might have that PCB doesnt other than terms of numbers and variety, but it all seems to mostly boil back down to different places to either go dancing, listen to some live music or drink.

Yeah, kinda figuring that out now I guess.

I think of night life as clubs I guess. There aren't to many clubs in PCB...but plenty of places to get wasty face and hang...like Jams favorite place, Dustys.
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I never sent somebody to Dustys that didn't return some day, what a great place.

 

[DanC78]

Originally posted by jamnolfin:

Originally posted by DanC78:

Originally posted by DDennis73:
What are you defining night life as? Im not sure what Jax Beach might have that PCB doesnt other than terms of numbers and variety, but it all seems to mostly boil back down to different places to either go dancing, listen to some live music or drink.

Yeah, kinda figuring that out now I guess.

I think of night life as clubs I guess. There aren't to many clubs in PCB...but plenty of places to get wasty face and hang...like Jams favorite place, Dustys.
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I never sent somebody to Dustys that didn't return some day, what a great place.

Do you know Brian Rose by chance? He's a regular up there.
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[jamnolfin]

Originally posted by DanC78:

Originally posted by jamnolfin:

Originally posted by DanC78:

Originally posted by DDennis73:


What are you defining night life as? Im not sure what Jax Beach might have that PCB doesnt other than terms of numbers and variety, but it all seems to mostly boil back down to different places to either go dancing, listen to some live music or drink.

Yeah, kinda figuring that out now I guess.



I think of night life as clubs I guess. There aren't to many clubs in PCB...but plenty of places to get wasty face and hang...like Jams favorite place, Dustys.

Posted from Rivals Mobile

I never sent somebody to Dustys that didn't return some day, what a great place.

Do you know Brian Rose by chance? He's a regular up there.

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I'm not a regular any more, used to be. I was with owner at the Hard Rock in Biloxi this weekend while I was there visiting some donors
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[I.AM.A.SEMINOLE]

I live on PCB, I work in Panama City. I spend my Money between Highway 79 and San Destin. I've spent basically my entire life roaming highway 98 from Ft Walton to Appalachicola. I've eaten, partied, slept, all the yadda yadda in just about every place possible in between the two. Heck I was a spring breaker just a short 6 years ago.

It works like this the people who own highly successful business / influential people such as musicans, actors, professional athletes, politicians. Vacation on 30a where they usually own the house or rent one for 15k a week. The people in uppermangement for those people, essentially those who run said business vacation in Destin (I will say generally out of the preconceived notion that it's better than PCB, they both have the same crap outside of a bass pro shop and a Mcguires but PCB has caught up the difference is the cost of goods).

The people who work for those two groups vacation on Panama City Beach.

Panama City Beach has worked very hard to change it's image. It's working. What drives me crazy is Im gonna raise my children here one day, I plan on being a business owner here as well.

So who's to blame for the craziest during the month of March? Who's to blame for the PCB and PC woahs?

The Locals.

Stop selling crap beers and whiskey for $1.50. Stop Selling frozen seafood crap platters for $9.99. Stop selling microwave "baked oysters" and pawing them off on idiots with a t-shirt. Please just quit with the $5 bucket of frozen sugar with %30 alcohol. Stop renting the condo you lost your ass on in 05 for $125 a night. Stop selling yourself short PCB. Cheap attracts cheap and with cheap comes trash.

Stop selling crap and take some dadgum pride in yourself. For goodness sakes you call yourself "The worlds most beautiful beaches" Thats what it says at your brand new airport. It says it on the welcome center sign next to highway 79. You advertise it. I don't think $9.99 seafood platters and $2 shots of crap flavored vodka of the week belong on the "worlds" most beautiful anything.

What do you expect to happen? If you show yourself to be "college town" USA during March or "lower class" it will not matter what you advertise. Ever heard that saying...actions speak louder than words?

If you want to be like your "Big Brother" Destin start acting like it...grow up.