Sister Florida Cities Share Name

TWO DISTINCT CITIES - separated only by a bridge - located along the coastline of the Florida Panhandle share the same name. First is Panama City, the largest city between Tallahassee and Pensacola. And, just to the west across the Hathaway Bridge is Panama City Beach with 9 miles of sugar-white sand beaches fronting the blue-green water of the Gulf of Mexico.

Panama City, the county seat of Bay County, has a population now estimated around 38,400. Panama City Beach now claims around 14,000 residents. These figures do not include several other nearby communities such as Lynn Haven, St. Andrews, and Tyndall Air Force Base. So the total permanent population is well over 60,000. And, this does not count the thousands of visitors who flock to the area during all seasons of the year - including spring breakers, summer beach bums, and winter snowbirds.

Whether it's shopping, dining, fishing, boating, swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking, walking, biking, visiting parks, exploring, enjoying attractions, attending events, lying on the beach, watching the waves, or a myriad of other leisure activities; these sister cities have it all!

Some of my favorite things to do in the two cities are eating at Uncle Ernie's, the Captain's Table, Sharky's Beachfront Restaurant, and Captain Anderson's; experiencing Pier Park, an enormous outdoor shopping center; and, meandering through the Oaks by the Bay Park. Driving the length of Front Beach Road in PCB is fun; plus seeing the Marina and downtown area in PC, and driving the shoreline road of nearby St. Andrews Bay are also special treats. Other popular places are the Panama City Mall, Gulf World Marine Park, Shipwreck Island Waterpark, and the City Pier.

Together, Panama City and Panama City Beach offer a plethora of leisure opportunities throughout the year - for all ages, and for locals and visitors alike. Take it from me: these sister cities will not disappoint!