In the "Pensacola Area" section of our site, which you are looking at now, we cover the coastal communities in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties, the two western-most counties in the State of Florida. This area includes the communities of (from west to east) Perdido Key, Gulf Breeze, Pensacola Beach and Navarre Beach. See our attractions section for links to attractions. The City of Pensacola has a beautiful historical district downtown where you walk around and enjoy the sights ans sounds. Probably the famous and popular attraction in Pensacola is the National Museum of Naval Aviation. They have a truly impressive collection of Navy aircraft, and admission is FREE. The Port of Pensacola is the largest deepwater port in the area, and the only reason we mention the port is because their website has some interesting historical information forthose who are so inclined. Houses in Old Pensacola Pensacola Bay has a 1.5 mile long fishing bridge. No fishing license is required to fish on the bridge. Pensacola has it's very own symphony orchestra. It is just one of many activities that the surprisingly active Arts Council of Northwest Florida supports in the area. PERDIDO KEY Just a couple of miles from the Alabama border, you will find the Perdido Key State Park, where you can relax, fish and enjoy the pristine white sandy beaches. The Perdido Key Chamber of Commerce has a visitor center at 15500 Perdido Key Drive. Call them at 1-800-328-0107 for further information.     BOTH PICTURES SHOW THE PERDIDO KEY AREA Big Lagoon State Recreation Area is a 698-acre park located on Perdido Key, and offers ample recreational opportunities. Big Lagoon is not to be confused with Perdido Key State Recreation Area, a 247-acre beach park. The Florida Parks Service operates 28 parks in Northwest Florida alone, with four of those in Escambria and Santa Rosa counties. On their website, they offer detailed parks information about all of their Northwest Florida parks. The Lost Key Golf Club is a fairly new (April, 1998) 6,810 yard golf-course in a beautiful setting on Perdido Key. A must for serious golfers. And here is a list of other golf courses in the area. GULF BREEZE The City of Gulf Breeze is located on the intracoastal waterway, just north of Pensacola Beach. With just 6,000 residents, it has a small-town feel to it and yet it has the only zoo in the area. The Gulf Breeze Chamber of Commerce has more information. Just east of Gulf Breeze is Naval Live Oaks, which according to the Florida Game and Fish commission is one of the two best areas to view wildlife in the State of Florida. PENSACOLA BEACH Pensacola Beach is a great place for family recreation and relaxation. Visitors come to Pensacola Beach from all over the southeast. Pensacola Beach is located near the western end of Santa Rosa Island. The western-most 7 miles of the island shields Pensacola Bay from the Gulf, and is also part of the protected Gulf Island National Seashore. Itīs a great recreation area, and features historic Fort Pickens (pictured on left), where Geronimo was once imprisoned. For your convenience, here is a list of all National Parks in Florida. The Santa Rosa Island Authority has a fairly good list of local businesses and organizations and you can ask them for a vacation guide . NAVARRE Sand dunes on Navarre Beach Also located on the very long Santa Rosa Island, Navarre is located half-way between Pensacola Beach and Fort Walton Beach. It's powdery, white sand dunes are a unique visual experience and great to walk around in. The Navarre Nature Walk Park, located near the Navarre Beach Bridge along the Santa Rosa Sound, is a one-mile waterfront boardwalk that includes a spring-fed fish pond, a fun themed playground, a hand-tile wall, a butterfly house, as well as picnic and recreation areas. For further information, contact the Navarre Chamber of Commerce. Short history of the Pensacola area: Native Indians have lived in the area for 300 years. Pensacola Bay was discovered by the Spaniards in 1516, but forgotten after an abortive settlement in 1559. Rediscovered in 1686 and named after the Panzacola Indians, the area was finally permanently settled by Westerners in 1698 and the City of Pensacola established. Spaniards under the command of Andres de Ariola built a fort at the location of the present-day Naval Air Station. Prior to Florida becoming part of the U.S. in 1821, Pensacola was at various times held by Spain, France and England. During the Civil War, it was held by Confederate troops. Pensacola has grown around it's Navy Yard, which later became a Naval Air Station. Other useful websites include: City of Pensacola, the Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and the local tourist board's website.