Access Points

THIS WAY TO THE BEACH

With over 100 access points, Panama City Beach has the right spot for you

BY HANNAH BURKE

WHO ARE YOU? Many attempt to answer this question by providing their government name or job title. Let’s move beyond the obvious and wade into a pool of introspection. A single label can’t summarize your complexities; rather, a series of them add up to the concept of self. Think really hard about your innermost values and spiritual leanings. Reflect on your experiences, and, most importantly, what your behavior at the beach says about you. It’s the latter consideration that can be the most daunting. Please consult the following stereotypes to not only avert an identity crisis, but to find among the dozens of public beach access points scattered across Panama City Beach the right fit for you.

THE SUN WORSHIPPER

You’re cold and dead inside, but a steady dose of Vitamin D recharges your batteries. You find a cozy, sandy spot and are content to bask in sunshine and solitude for hours on end. If you can’t tell whether I’m describing a bearded dragon or you, then look no further than the beach access points along Spyglass Drive. Away from the hustle and bustle of central Panama City Beach, the community’s easternmost beach access points (1, 2 and 3) provide all the quiet, convenience and solar power you require. BEACH ACCESS 1 4723 Spyglass Drive

THE AQUAPHILE

You’re a shark in the water who can’t stop moving. For you, a day at the beach shouldn’t involve sand unless you’re launching a kayak or eating it on a skimboard. At St. Andrews State Park, over a mile of shoreline along both Grand Lagoon and the Gulf beckons snorkelers, surfers and swimmers. A popular camping ground, St. Andrews’ store is stocked with gear and offers seasonal water sports equipment rentals. ST. ANDREWS STATE PARK, 4607 State Park Lane

THE NATURALIST

For you, going to the beach is an opportunity to study the local ecosystem, catalog how many critters you encounter and snap some landscapes with your Nikon D500. You likely already have Camp Helen State Park on your meticulously curated itinerary — after all, it’s surrounded by both the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Powell, the largest coastal dune lake in Florida! But, after a long morning spent hiking nature trails, the half-mile of beach beyond the scrub oak forest is the perfect place to picnic and enjoy your vegan hummus wrap and trail mix.

THE TREASURE HUNTER

Beachcombers can scavenge the sands at any number of access points, but the Indiana Joneses of Panama City Beach will point you toward Shell Island for the real spoils. Accessible only by boat or the official Shell Island Shuttle, the undeveloped, seven-mile barrier island transports its visitors to their own private Shangri-La. Go shelling for sand dollars, conchs, moon snails and whelk, or, go ahead and be “that guy” with a metal detector. It’s OK, there’s another fella with one over there. Go say hello. SHELL ISLAND SHUTTLE, 5709 N. Lagoon Drive

THE ANGLER

You ain’t here to sunbathe or splash around; you’re here to hook that whopper. At the Russell-Fields Pier and M.B. Miller Pier — commonly referred to as the City Pier and County Pier, respectively — salty, weathered bait soakers who live and die by the rod and reel and fledgling fisherman alike seek cobia, mackerel, redfish and more. Both are prime fishing spots, but couples are encouraged to seek out the City Pier: When Mama says it’s time to pack up, slip her some cash, and send her on back across the street to the Pier Park shopping center. CITY PIER, 16201 Front Beach Road; County Pier, 12213 Front Beach Road

THE MILLENNIAL

In lieu of children, you and your partner have Billie. Billie is what you call a “fur baby,” and the first thing you tell people about Billie is that she’s a rescue. No, you didn’t name her after Billie Eilish — it’s a family name, thank you — and, yes, you did plan your entire vacation around dog-friendly restaurants and attractions.

For some adorable, sandynosed Instagram photos, you’re going to want to head just west of RussellFields Pier to Dog Beach, where a 400-foot section of shore is a place where dogs are welcome.

THE IMPOSTER DUDE, YOU DID YOUR RESEARCH.

I don’t even need to tell you that the west end of PCB is where the locals beach because as far as they know, you’re one of them. You refuse to put up one of those tacky canopies, and you keep the country music blaring from your boom box to a minimum. Heck, you even talked Bubba into exchanging his signature “Roll Tide” T-shirt for a less conspicuous, solid white one. When you run out of brewskis, you know that Carousel Supermarket is just across the road selling Grayton Beach Blonde Ale and, despite Brayden and Brandon’s protests, you will not be picking up any Pabst Blue Ribbon. BEACH ACCESS 77, 19987 Front Beach Road