Spring Break Is Coming......

By William E. Males

Here it comes again, and you can be sure after the spell we been having with global warming’s prelude to the coming ice age, that many are ready for some hot sunshine, lotion, flip-flops and a hearty game of beach volleyball. Just like it has been every year for the past several decades, thousands of high-spirited party goers have headed to Florida's sunny beaches in search of the perfect Spring Break party destination. Panama City Beach is not only one of the most popular beaches on the Emerald Coast of Florida; it has been voted the number one preferred destination by many.

Located on the northern edge of the Gulf of Mexico, Panama City Beach is one the world’s greatest rare earth magnets with incredible drawing power that captivates the attention of a huge crowd of scholastics nearing college burnout seeking an seasonal escape from the seeming relentless rigors of the studies that cruel and heartless college and university professors across the country use to beat our youth into the fine professionals, leaders and citizens that their parents have long been both praying and paying for them to one day be. Still, not one of those professors would possess the presence of mind to recognize that last one is one of the finest run-on sentences of the decade. Come on, it’s almost spring and we all need a break!

Now mind you, Panama City Beach is not just one of the typical beach areas in the Florida Sunshine State. It is world famous for its gorgeous crystal white sands and it’s nearly 320 days of fantastic, near perfect, sun-shining weather. This is that time of year, as the sun’s warmth sets in, that literally trillions of brain cells across the country work in unison as plans are being made to head back to where the parties are nonstop for the whole life cycle of Spring Break. Here is where the stamina of youth is put to the ultimate test with record breaking feats of human endurance as all nighters are paused only for some intense beach going fun. Still, even the most hardcore Spring Break vacationers are going to need a place to crash before it’s over, but with more than 20,000 recovery rooms and other locations from economy motels, world-class resorts and rental condominiums, finding a place to crash isn’t too hard . . . if you start looking early enough - hint, hint.

One of my favorite aspects of Spring Break is automatic breakaway from the same old, same old, habitual cuisine to which we needlessly subject ourselves to day after day while we plow our way through our regular working and studying life. Pleeeeease, no more ramen noodles for a while! Spring break is the chance to scrub the old taste buds clean in order to prevent permanent tongue damage and to get ready for a variety of fresh seafood delicacies. When it comes to great seafood, Panama City Beach absolutely, hands down has some of the finest. Heck, if you take a little time you could even catch it yourself. 

However, if you just can’t slow down enough to enjoy the countless places, ways and means to catch your own dinner here, don’t fret it. There’s J. Michael’s Restaurant, where one can get the best hot roast beef sandwich on Panama City Beach, or Flamingo Joe's Grill and Oyster Bar for some finger lickin’ food, as well as (come hungry) Captain Crabby’s. For a real nice and unique experience, you can even dine in a huge 200 ft. replica of a Spanish galleon at The Treasure Ship or have a relaxing waterfront vista at Hook’s Grille and Grog.

To be honest with you, there are so many restaurants here in Panama City Beach and the surrounding areas that even a local wouldn’t have to eat in the same place twice if he didn’t want to for at least two years, and that’s not even trying all the great stuffs on everyone’s menus. There’s everything from designer restaurants to fantastic mom and pop diners with their own one of kind specialties, to Frankie D’s or Enzos Pizza parlors (life support delivery), to the can’t-stop-gotta-keep-going favorite drive-thru burgers and fries places, some with even handmade ½ pound monster burgers that will allow you to even skip the next meal too.

During Spring Break, if it wasn’t for having to go outside and/or windows, some might swear the nightlife party action never ends in Panama City Beach. One thing for sure, it is hard to beat. One of the most popular club destinations is Panama City Beach’s famous Club La Vela. It is a unique action packed club which features several great bands and DJs playing everything from hip-hop, rock to retro music for all Spring Breakers. Another great popular spot for hot action is Spinnaker Beach Club and Paradise Grill, which stays open until four in the morning. Spinnaker has an amazing atmosphere at a amazing location right on the sugar-white sands of the beach. With its open-air deck surrounded by a sparkling waterfall, outdoor concert stage and shaded bar stations, it really doesn’t matter what time of day it is.

But, we do know that not everyone is coming here just to eat, sleep and party like an animal. Some people still want to spend their time capturing the perfect tan while watching the surf’s endless rhythm on a perfect beach.  With 27 miles of the world’s finest sandy beaches, everyone is sure to find a perfect getaway spot, whether in the midst of all the action with open air beach concerts, swim suit fashion shows, volleyball, jet skiing, and parasailing - or head off to some more remote location for some quite personal time in the sun, if it all gets too much for a while.

But, you need to start getting ready, because it is all about to begin. Because once Spring Break kicks off in Panama City Beach, its full speed from the beginning of March and continues all the way through mid-April. Now it doesn’t take a college scholastic or a university professor to see that with everything the Emerald Coast has to offer why people keep coming back for another mega dose of Panama City Beach’s crystal white sandy shoreline and emerald surf and a total saturation of concentrated fun, year after year after year.  See ya there!