History of Pensacola Beach
The first out-of-town visitor to Isle de St. Rose was don Tristan de Luna. In the summer of 1559, he sailed up the Gulf from Mexico, his 11 ships loaded with gear and food for survival. The adventurous Spaniard, within three years, was forced to abandon camp.
The locals (at that time, the Ochuse, later the Panzacola) were leery of the new arrivals and therefore didn't trade with them or teach them survival skills, so de Luna and his band failed to utilize the abundant food supply that the natives thrived on.
Fort Pickens
The Fort was completed in 1834 and used until WWII, when modern weapons made traditional coastal defense obsolete. Fort Pickens has changed over the years, so take the self-guided tour and peel back the layers of history. You'll see the plaster-lined rooms that were intended as officers' quarters, and later used to house Apache prisoners. The most famous resident, Geronimo, lived in identical rooms along the south wall, which have since collapsed. Fort Pickens now houses an auditorium, a museum, and a visitors center offering information about the area.
The Fort itself is only part of the National Seashore's attractions: the boundary stretches back seven miles. (Fodor's rates Ft. Pickens' beaches the best in Florida.) So whether you take the bike trail or the highway, you'll find campgrounds, nature trails, and miles and miles of protected beaches perfect for sand dollar and sea shell hunting, and for picking through flotsam washed ashore from the high seas and exotic foreign ports.
If it has been a while since you’ve come to the beach, take a deep breath. It’s time. The gentle breeze is still soothing just as the crystal-clear waves roll in from the emerald sea. The flawless white sand is just as soft as before, and the sea oats still dance for a glowing sun.
Take that girlfriends’ getaway you’ve been considering with indulgent spa days and boutique shopping on the island. If it’s a man-cation you’re after, make it a deep-sea fishing challenge. Scuba diving and golf are more fun ways to spend time with the guys. Take a trip when kids are out for summer. The beach is glistening, and plenty of family-fun activities such as kayaking, sailing and renting wave runners make for a memorable vacation. Plan a picnic, build dreamy sandcastles and catch free live concerts at the beach.
“Our family does a lot of surfing, bicycling and fishing,” says Pensacola Beach resident Dale McCarthy of life in the summertime. “Everything is close by. It’s a world in itself.”
In fall and winter, Pensacola Beach’s “Secret Season” returns with mild temperatures, fewer crowds and incredible deals. Snowbirds know this secret and return to the area year after year. Whenever you visit, you’re sure to find yourself relaxed, refreshed and rejuvenated.
The above information was taken from the Visit Pensacola Beach site. For more information, please head on over and visit them!