From sky to sea, there’s much to see here. Overhead, the Blue Angels practice from mid-March to mid-November (watch from the viewing area at the National Naval Aviation Museum). History dominates at street level. Love history? Pensacola lays claim to being the first European city in North America, established in 1559. Take a guided tour of 19th-century…homes and the 1832 Old Christ Church at Historic Pensacola Village, or stroll beneath the oaks to the wooden gazebo at Seville Square. There’s ample water sports activity and classic beach fun to be had along Quiet Water Beach Boardwalk, but you can also access the hushed Gulf Islands National Seashore here. For divers, the world’s largest artificial reef, retired aircraft carrier USS Oriskany, lies just offshore. The Pensacola Bay Area is an activity-packed destination featuring culture, outdoor adventure, fine museums, attractions, and 52 miles of beaches. Whether an art enthusiast, birdwatcher, golfer, foodie, or a shopaholic, everyone will find their niche in the Pensacola Bay Area.

Cross a narrow bridge from U.S. 98, and will you find yourself in a slice of old-time Florida. Navarre Beach, at the east end of Santa Rosa Island, is a small, family-friendly beach community where locals and visitors mingle over sunsets, play volleyball, or enjoy music at a thatched-hut bar. With the Gulf of Mexico on one side and Santa Rosa Sound on the other, visitors can take their choice of water sports — parasailing, canoeing…, or jet-skiing. The fishing pier, which extends far into the gulf, is popular with walkers as well as anglers. The fishing is often very productive, and locally owned restaurants offer many tasty meals made from family recipes.