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Pensacola Bay Area General Information
- 52 miles of Gulf waters and protected, pristine shoreline
- Pensacola Bay Area population more than 400,000
- Central time zone
- More than 95 daily flights. For more information visit www.FlyPensacola.com.
- High season: April to August, value season: August to March
- Home of the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels
- 343 days of sunshine (give or take a few)
- Average high temperature: 77°, average low temperature: 60°
- America's first European settlement (in 1559)
- A variety of State Parks for day-trips or camping
Average Pensacola Bay Area Temperatures:
|
Month |
Air |
Water |
|
|
|
|
|
January |
54 |
68 |
|
February |
56 |
65 |
|
March |
61 |
68 |
|
April |
68 |
72 |
|
May |
76 |
77 |
|
June |
81 |
80 |
|
July |
82 |
83 |
|
August |
82 |
84 |
|
September |
78 |
83 |
|
October |
70 |
79 |
|
November |
60 |
72 |
|
December |
54 |
70 |
Pensacola Area Governing Bodies & Administrative Offices
Pensacola Bay Area Publications & Internet Portals
...come, get sand in your shoes
Pensacola, located on the western edge of the Florida panhandle, is the gateway to the Emerald Coast. It is an area rich in history, culture, and quality of life. Easily accessible from Interstate Highway 10, the Pensacola Regional Airport, or the Gulf of Mexico, the greater Pensacola area spans Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
To the west, New Orleans, LA (French Quarter, major sports), Biloxi, MS (world class casinos, entertainment) and Mobile, AL (USS Alabama, Carnival Cruise Line port), can be reached by car in three hours or less. To the east, Tallahassee (Florida state capitol, Florida State University), Panama City (Shell Island, St. Andrews Bay) and Destin (shopping, sightseeing) are also within a three hour drive. But there is also plenty to do right here in Pensacola.
The southern edge of Pensacola lies snugly along the Emerald Coast of the Gulf of Mexico. Once you get sand in your shoes you'll find it hard to resist the wide variety of local attractions and activities. The area is home to great beach resorts such as Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key. Snorkeling, diving, fishing, canoeing, boating, and swimming are supported by marinas, charters, retail outlets, and public parks and beaches. For the more adventurous, the world's largest man made reef, the USS Oriskany, lies a few miles offshore ready for exploration. And for those who find adventure with a cool beverage, a heaping plate of their favorite fresh sea food or a good steak, and a sunset; be sure to take advantage of all the fine restaurants and decks sprinkled throughout the area.
Pensacola is home to the University of West Florida, Pensacola Christian College, and Pensacola Junior College. Cultural activities are produced by the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, Northwest Florida Ballet, Pensacola Opera, Pensacola Little Theatre, several museums, art galleries, and many more venues too numerous to mention.
Sports fans can choose from a variety of local teams: the Pensacola Pelicans, member of the Central Baseball League, the Pensacola Ice Flyers, part of the Southern Professional Hockey League, and the Gulf Coast Riptide, of the National Women's Football Association. In addition, the Emerald Coast also offers some of the finest golfing facilities in the state. The Escambia County Equestrian Center is a 178 acre multifunction event center which is host to horse shows, rodeos, and dog shows.
Pensacola is home to the Pensacola Naval Air Station, which has been training military aviators for over ninety years, and is the support base for the elite Blue Angels' squadron. Also nearby is Eglin Air Force Base, which supports the largest single base mobility commitment in the US Air Force. It is evident that the US military is a major economic force in the area.
Both counties are served by six hospitals with 24 hour emergency rooms. Quality health care is available by area doctors and the world famous Andrews Institute.
Pensacola's Nicknames
Cradle of Naval Aviation
All Navy, Marine and Coast Guard start their aviation training in Pensacola. The U.S. Navy Blue Angels call us home and practice here weekly from March to November.
Western Gate to the Sunshine State
Famous local saying: "Welcome to the western gate of the Sunshine State, where thousands live the way millions wish they could."
America's First Settlement
In 1559, before St. Augustine was discovered by European explorers, Spanish explorer Don Tristan de Luna brought an expedition to Pensacola's shores. The settlement didn't weather its first hurricane very well, so a few years later it was abandoned.
City of Five Flags
In its 450 years of history, Pensacola has been ruled by Spain, France, England, the United States and the Confederacy.
Some information courtesy of The Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce (www.visitpensacola.com)
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