Looking for The Best of Gulf Breeze? Our Gulf Breeze Florida Travel Guide will provide you with everything you need to plan your vacation to the beautiful beaches of Gulf Breeze, Florida. Located across the bay from Pensacola, Gulf Breeze is great for snorkeling, hiking or birding at Gulf Islands National Seashore, a nationally protected park. Gulf Islands National Seashore offers recreation opportunities and preserves natural and historic resources along the Gulf of Mexico barrier islands of Florida and Mississippi. The protected regions include mainland areas and parts of 7 islands. The Florida District of the seashore features offshore barrier islands with sparkling white quartz sand beaches (along miles of undeveloped land), historic fortifications, and nature trails. The Gulf Breeze Zoo is a 50-acre site that includes hundreds of animals, a boardwalk overlooking a free range preserve, CP Huntington style train, as well as other amenities. Visit the area beaches in Fort Walton Beach and along the Emerald Coast, or visit us on Pinterest Here.
Gulf Breeze Weather – When to Visit
The best time to visit Gulf Breeze is between mid-September and October when both spring breakers and family vacationers have departed the city, leaving the beaches, attractions and restaurants devoid of peak season crowds. The weather is still moderate this time of year, and the risk of hurricanes wanes, too. The late fall and winter months of November through February are considered low season, with dropping temperatures and room rates. Heavy crowds of students and families swarm the city and its beaches in peak season’s early spring and summer to take advantage of the prime beach weather.
Best Gulf Breeze Area Beaches
Perdido Key State Park
Perdido Key State ParkPerdido Key State Park is a 247-acre barrier island positioned near Pensacola on the Gulf of Mexico. There are wide swaths of white sandy beaches and undulating sand dunes, sprouting with sea oats and other beach vegetation. Although sunbathing and swimming are the main activities here, surf fishing is also popular.
Gulf Islands National Seashore
Gulf Islands National SeashoreRecreation, exploration, and education…you can do it all at Gulf Islands National Seashore. Millions of visitors are drawn to the islands in the northern Gulf of Mexico for the white sandy beaches, the aquamarine waters, a boat ride, a camping spot, a tour of an old fort, or a place to fish. Gulf Islands National Seashore stretches for 160 miles along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico in Mississippi and Florida, and includes barrier islands, maritime forests, historic forts, bayous, and marine habitat. There is a an incredible variety of activities for visitors throughout the seashore year-round.
Pensacola Beach
Pensacola BeachPensacola Beach occupies nearly eight miles of the 40-mile-long Santa Rosa barrier island. You can swim, fish, kayak and play at one of two area beach parks: Casino Beach and Quietwater Beach. Lively Casino Beach is considered the geographic center of the area, while Quietwater Beach is closer to the commercial center and features its own boardwalk and concert area. There is also plenty of access to quiet areas of the beach where you can avoid the crowds.
Big Lagoon State Park
Big Lagoon State Park705-acre Big Lagoon State Park is another sanctuary for hiking, boating, swimming, fishing and camping. A 40-foot observation tower at the East Beach area provides a panoramic view of Big Lagoon, the park and Gulf Islands National Seashore across the Intracoastal Waterway.
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Fort Pickens
Fort PickensFort Pickens offers a secluded, pristine beach as well as a little bit of history thanks to the fort, which was one of four local forts (including one underwater) built between the 1820s and the beginning of the Civil War to protect Pensacola Bay. The park also includes a museum, campgrounds, boardwalks and facilities.
Best Gulf Breeze Restaurants
JJ Chago’s Under $10
Hungry? Can’t decide whether you want eggs and hash browns from this restaurant or that. This is a unique family owned eatery that’s not afraid to make you feel like one of the family. Delicious, fresh, & fair priced. The staff are very friendly and will recommend plates if you can’t make up your mind. Definitely worth your time. The foods of Caribbean decent, Puerto Rico, Cuba; your palate will be left wanting more after that last bite. Telephone: 850-710-3760 Web: Facebook.
Cactus Flower Café $11 – 30
Their restaurant offers traditional “California Style” Mexican Cuisine. All their food, sauces, and salsas are made fresh daily. They use 100% all white meat “Chicken Tenderloin” and “Certified Angus” beef. For the freshest “Crab” and “Shrimp” they use local seafood. They prepare their food fresh-to-order and promise fresh, delicious, flavorful food made healthily in house daily, in a relaxing and inviting atmosphere. Telephone: 850-936-4111 Web: Cactus Flower Café.
Johnny Huston’s Grille & Bar $11 – 30
They use only the best and freshest ingredients available. Fresh ground beef, fresh never frozen chicken breast and wings, and fresh living hydroponic lettuce. Their French fries are hand cut and flash fried, frozen then cooked to order and sprinkled with their own fry seasoning. They have fresh salsa and chili made from scratch. Your food is cooked to order: you order it, they start cooking it. It will take a little longer than your usual chain restaurant, so please sit back, relax and enjoy your visit. They are not a fast food place, but a place for good food, cooked fresh. Telephone: 850- 936-9900 Web: Johnny Huston’s Grille & Bar.
Scooter’s Fish House $11 – 30
This is a great place to enjoy delicious meals surrounded by the company of your friends. Here you will find fresh, affordable seafood. Scooter’s Fish House is one of the leading restaurants in Navarre serving the best seafood in town. They offer mouthwatering meals that will keep you going back for more. They have a wide variety of options on their menu, so you are sure to find something you will love. Telephone: 850-396-5128 Web: Scooter’s Fish House.
The Rib Shack Under $10
They specialize in meats: ribs, pulled pork, beef, sausage, half chickens, chicken breast, burgers and turkey. If it can be smoked, they will smoke it for you! All of their meats are slowly smoked to perfection and covered with their signature rub (except sausage and burgers). They coat their ribs and half chickens with their specialty sauce, really bringing out the favors and color of the meat. Telephone: 850-936-4244 Web: The Rib Shack.
Best Gulf Breeze Bars & Nightlife
Vine Wine Bar & Shop
Vine is a wine bar and shop. You can walk in and out with a great bottle of wine or sit down and enjoy a glass in their relaxed atmosphere. They have delicious small plates and a few desserts for you to enjoy with your wine. And of course they have great beers! Telephone: 850-684-3999 Web: Vine Wine Bar & Shop
Lagerheads
This place is great! ! Decently priced food and drinks with a beach friendly atmosphere. You can go casual, even in swim suits and sandy flip flops. The waitresses in the bar area are all friendly! Try the chicken sandwich, as it is fantastic! During the summer months, Lagerheads offers free family-friendly movies on the beach. No purchase is necessary to enjoy the movie. Beach blankets, chairs and picnics are welcome. Telephone: 850-710-3103 Web: Lagerheads.
Stripes Pub & Grill
This is a sports pub with a patriotic theme located right in the heart of Navarre. All of their dishes are made from scratch using the freshest ingredients. Happy Hour is from from 2-6 pm everyday and all day on Wednesdays. Join them and enjoy one of their many beers on tap, whether it’s Guinness, Bass Ale, Yuengling, Shocktop, Miller or Bud Light! Telephone: 850-939-8400 Web: Stripes Pub & Grill.
Juana’s Pagodas
This bar is right over the bridge to beautiful Navarre beach. This is a cool spot, with two bar areas, a pool table in the main bar and volleyball court outside. Both bar areas feature live bands. Friendly staff and crowd. Fair prices. Deinitely get the Bushwacker drink, you have to try it, it’s awesome! You can’t beat a bar with the beachy atmosphere with sandy floors, great sunsets, good crowds, in a party like setting! Telephone: 850-939-2130 Web: Juana’s Pagodas.
County Line Pizza & Pub
At the County Line Pizza & Pub you will find fresh vegetables, thicker crust, less salt and less grease. They are pet friendly, and play good music that is not too loud so that you can’t carry on a conversation. This place has good food, is a place to relax with family and friends and stay awhile. They have your favorite sports in HD with Direct TV and Cox Cable, so if there’s a storm, you won’t miss a thing! They also carry Coke and Pepsi products. You don’t have to settle on your favorite drinks! Telephone: 850-200-4262 Web: County Line Pizza & Pub.
Best Gulf Breeze Area Hotels
I love Florida and I am glad that I found your page with great information about such a beautiful area perfect Florida beach and there are so many things to do and good restaurants. Thank you for the information, I will bookmark this page to come back when I am planning my next trip to Florida.
Sounds great Ebufi. Yes, Gulf Breeze on the Emerald Coast of Florida is beautiful. The nice things is there are so many beaches of the Emerald Coast that are close by as well, giving you a ton to do 🙂 Thanks for visiting!
My family and i have been traveling full time since 2015. We spent last winter in Florida and i have to say i miss it so terribly that if we dont head back soon im going to have to book a vacation to the sunshine state. Missing my vitamin sea. anyway than you so much for the coupon codes and the tips. maybe i can talk DH into it
Yes, Joy you need to! I absolutely love Florida and visit often. I love the atmosphere, all the things to do, and then of course the beautiful Florida beaches. Thanks for visiting Beach Travel Destinations!
What an awesome place! I’ve always wanted to visit the U.S and I actually heard a lot about Florida and its beautiful beaches. Now you’ve made me even more confused whether my next summer trip should be to Europe or Florida! With that guide I think it’s much easier to go for Florida now and try out some of the recommended places you’ve put up there.
Thanks!
I’m so glad I could help you make a decision! Europe does have some fantastic beaches, but for the value, Florida beaches cannot be beat! Thanks for reading Elis 🙂
truly amazing. this is an all in one travel guide. you get not only info on the location itself such as the weather reports but also the true all in one feeling with the activities, car rentals, hotel stays, airfare info and dining. there is no need to look further because everything a traveler needs is here. this is a wonderful site.
Thank you so much Corrie! I am glad you enjoyed reading. I hope you can visualize staying in Gulf Breeze, with the warm sunshine beating down on the white sand. And they you know exactly where to go for food and drinks 🙂 Hope to see you soon! Gulf Breeze on the Emerald Coast is truly an amazing place!
Wow leahrae I loved reading your post beach travel destinations there so much information and makes a refreshing change to see someone put useful information like your weather flow chart and recommended places to see and do as well as eating and drinking places in great detail.
This place looks amazing must try and get there one day thank you for sharing.
You are most welcome David! I try to add all the information and combine it into one awesome post, so that everything you need is right at your finger tips…right on Beach Travel Destinations 🙂 Thanks for visiting!
Thanks for your info on Florida, looks like a great destination for families too. I would love to try fishing again, it’s been years since I’ve done that. It looks like this is a great place for fishing too. 🙂
The places you suggested are awesome as some are right on the beach, that would be perfect for us swimmers!
Thanks for your suggestions.
You are very welcome Grace! Yes, I will only stay right on the beach. I love walking along the beach in the morning and at night to enjoy the sunrise/sunset over the water. Beautiful, and nothing is better in my book. You will love the Emerald Coast!
I love the depth of your Florida Travel Guide post. You literally have everything I need the next time I take a trip down there. From awesome hotels to stay in to to the weather, car rentals, and food, you don’t hold back by any means. Thank you so much for all your help. The hotel ratings are an amazing addition as well and with the weather advice, I now have a better idea of when to plan my next trip down to Florida! 🙂
Thank you Peter, yes I just started adding the ratings. I like to know what a hotel is rated, so most everybody else does too I think. I am glad you enjoyed the information, now you have to visit the Gulf Breeze beaches!
Wow great post, I have never been to gulf breeze Florida. I’m a so cal native at heart but the beautiful pictures make me want to go their someday plus the food looks good. May have to pack the toy hauler up and head out soon. Got to love the beach
Yes, Gary….got to love the beach! I have been to many California beaches as well, and I really do love them as well. I think in Florida, it is a little more laid back, and a little lighter on the budget 🙂 Thank you for checking out our Gulf Breeze Florida Travel Guide!
I am really ready to visit Gulf Breeze sometime soon! You have included everything I will need to travel over there. I no longer need to search for more information, as your site has it all! You have given me everything for restaurants, bars, things to do, hotels and much more. I am so glad I found Beach Travel Destinations! Does gulf breeze Florida is of tropical island?
It seems like a tropical island 🙂 It is on the mainland of Florida, but is surrounded on three sides by water. You will find everything you need in my guide to enjoy the best of Gulf Breeze. Thank you so much for reading!
Wow what a comprehensive post – so many suggestions and things to do. Before reading this I didn’t really know too much about Gulf Breeze, but you’ve made a pretty compelling case for visiting it! Especially being from the Northeast – I could use some of that weather right about now!
Keep the good stuff coming!
I will keep it coming Helder! This is kind of my passion, and I have been to Florida many times. I guess that is why I have written so much about the various Florida beaches. Thanks for visiting Beach Travel Destinations!
Absolutely going to bookmark this page! It has everything I could possibly need when I plan my next trip… THANKS! Now, I need to go to Gulf Breeze very soon!
Great Wenda, I am glad I could help you. You will absolutely love it there. If you need anything else, please let me know. I would love to help.
Hi Lea,
Fantastic! This post is so useful. I’ ve found it fascinating! Soon, I’ll be visiting my uncle who lives in Florida, and I didn’t know what activities to do and where go, and I am so lucky that I came across this article. I have bookmarked this article so I can use it as a guideline in Florida.
There are no questions left to ask as these are all the information I need to organize my trip and enjoy it as well!
Thank you very much for this excellent post!
Wonderful! Please let me know if you need anything else 🙂 I have tried to include everything. I know when I first visited, I wish I would have had similar information. It makes it simple to know what to do, where to go, and where to get great food. I am glad you enjoyed Daniella!
Hello Leahrae,
I like how informative your article is. I was looking to travel to a destination but was not too sure which 1 is the best. The beaches in Gulf Breeze, Florida looks pretty interesting as the weather is usually perfect to go for a walk or swim in the beach. I would consider going there soon. Thank You.
You will love it Thevin! You would be able to enjoy a good variety of beaches as there are several beach towns close by Gulf Breeze. Thank you for visiting the Gulf Breeze Florida Travel Guide.
Another awesome thorough post for my reading enjoyment!! I always love your pics that you use!! And it seems like you go above and beyond for the icons you use. That National Park sounds like the bomb!! Thank you for the awesome work you do!!
Thank you Brent ! And you are very welcome. Yes, that National Park is something you have to see if you are in the area. Hands down, it is the bomb 🙂 Thanks for visiting Beach Travel Destinations Brent!
Thank you Leahrae for the very comprehensive and well written post ! I think I know all I need to add this location to my bucket list ! I enjoyed the graphics and weather info. Also the Fishing Charter with a good Captain and a phone number. I’ll bookmark your site and be back for more !
Best Regards !
Mike Long
Great Mike, I am glad you enjoyed reading about Gulf Breeze Florida! You would love fishing here!
Thank you for such helpful information. It is always nice to have an idea of where the food is good and the service equally as good. Seeing where the hotel is located really helps too so thank you for sharing the photos. Lovely locations.
Thank you Merry for reading! Yes, Gulf Breeze is a wonderful place with so many options. You can stay right in Gulf Breeze or any of the very close community beach towns. Just the perfect spot on a perfect Florida Beach 🙂 Thanks for reading Beach Travel Destinations!
Wow so much great information here! Really good post! I like how you put the weather chart…I like looking for stuff like that for the places I plan to travel, gives you a really good idea of what to expect weather-wise. There seems to be so many great things to do as well, sounds like an exciting place!
Yes, Summerly there is so much to see and do in Gulf Breeze and the surrounding area on the Emerald Coast. Nice thing is you can travel to a lot of the locations in one day, not that I would want to. But everything is fairly close by. Yes, I like to know the weather too, so I can plan my trip accordingly 🙂 Thanks for visit the Gulf Breeze Travel Guide!