Named for the emerald-green color of its Gulf of Mexico waters, Florida’s Emerald Coast is a stretch of beach on the northwest edge of Florida. Also known as Florida's panhandle, this area is approximately 100 miles long, and it includes the cities of Gulf Breezes, Pensacola Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Navarre Beach, WaterColor, Destin, Seaside, Panama City Beach and Niceville. A favorite spot for vacationers, the Emerald Coast is known for its unpretentious attitude, powdered sugar sand and abundance of sea shells.
Whether adventure-minded or ready-to-relax, the Emerald Coast has something for everyone, so it is an ideal vacation destination for families and honeymooners alike. There are many ideas of what the ideal vacation encompasses, and the Emerald Coast has them all, including swimming with dolphins, golfing, deep-sea fishing, paddle boarding, sailing, jet skiing and scuba diving.
Any time of the year is a good time to visit the Emerald Coast, for it is Florida after all, and this area offers wonderful weather year-round. Whether escaping the chill of winter, working on a springtime tan or enjoying the summer breezes, a visit to the Emerald Coast is sure to usher in a feeling of well-being.
Because it is the coast, dining choices often revolve around the abundant local seafood, and visitors can choose from fresh fish, shrimp, shellfish, crabs and lobster. However, the Emerald Coast also caters to landlubbers, so there are plenty of eateries that specialize in land-based cuisine, such as steaks, barbecue and ethnic fare.
Like many resort areas, the Emerald Coast offers all types of festivals, and a festival can usually be found, within a short drive, on any given weekend. Festival themes in this area can range from food to art to film to music. However, judging from the abundance of festivals here that defy categorization, themes are not a requirement for a good festival on the Emerald Coast.
Made famous by the somewhat disparaging Tom T. Hall song, "Redneck Riviera," the Emerald Coast is often frequented by those mainland visitors who would rather not drive the entire length of Florida to enjoy a beach vacation.
