Spring Break is Upon Us!

Now is the time to be booking your trip to PCB for the Spring Break season! Rooms are filling up fast and most places are running specials. Be sure to follow us on FB to get the local deals that I regularly share. Be sure to check www.bookit.com (they are a local website). They have lots of deals and packages to the World's most beautiful beaches. www.VRBO.com is another great resource for renting directly from an owner. Get those bags packed! Spring is coming!

Rates Are Falling!

It's that time of year again. The crowds are thinning, school is in session, and what is that I smell? That's a great deal on a vacation! Lots of places here at the beach are dropping their rates as we speak. Keep a watch on our FB page for deals that we may find for you. Most places drop them significantly after September 1. The weather is still good, we didn't have any problems from Isaac, and the water is still 80 degrees. Why not come out and enjoy a deal while you are at it?
Here are some deals I have found so far...starting this weekend!
Edgewater
LABOR DAY WEEKEND- FRI, SAT, SUN & MONDAY= $375 TOTAL! ALL 4 NIGHTS!
Twin Palms
sleeps 6 - $774 per week

Get a Deal Before School Starts Back!

BeachGuide.com has lots of deals for late summer on their site. I was looking around today and found they have some deals for most of the BIG condo names and some smaller hotels too. If you haven't booked your trip to PCB yet, I would definately check them out. Click HERE to zoom to their site!

Buy 3 Get One Free at 3 Beachfront Hotels

Still looking for a place to stay when you come to PCB? I found a deal today while I was scanning the internet. Click HERE to go to By The Sea Resorts. They are offering this deal ~"Three beach front hotels, three ways to SAVE!" Pay for 3 nights and receive your 4th night free when you book at any of their three gulf-front hotels!

Valid April 15th-May 24th, June 1st-June 7th, & August 5th-September 29th!

Call 1-888-627-0625 to book today and ask for rate code FREE! Cannot be combined with any other offers. Subject to availability and may be cancelled at any time. Visit their website for complete details at www.bythesearesorts.com. Not available during holidays and event blackout periods.

Leave No Trace~ Means Exactly That!!!!

This article was borrowed from PCB DAILY.

A couple weeks ago the Panama City Beach City Council passed an ordinance dubbed Leave No Trace that prohibits beach goers from leaving personal property on the beach overnight. Also known as the Tent Ordinance, the initial goal was to eliminate the left over tent skeletons that sometimes seem to pollute our shimmering white sands.

What the ordinance includes.

Specifically, the ordinance states that personal property left on the beach between the hours of 9 pm and 5 am will be considered abandoned and will be disposed of. Some of these items may include tents, chairs, coolers, towels, etc.
On public beaches or with the upland landowner’s permission, guests may store personal property overnight at the Toe of the Dune at their own risk.
The Toe of the Dune is the area of the beach immediately seaward of the dune and beach vegetation. To be specific, it is the area of the beach that is furthest from the water that is not in a sand dune or beach access point.
Items left at the Toe of the Dune will not be removed by the contractor. However, the owners of the personal property storing items at the Toe of the Dune, do so at their own risk. The County, City, TDC and its beach maintenance contractor, do not assume any liability for any items left on the beach after 9:00 pm.

When does the ordinance take effect?

The ordinance is in effect now. However, it’s not being enforced until Sunday, July 8, 2012. Local officials and the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau are getting the program prepared and beginning an awareness campaign so no one’s caught off guard.

How will the program work?

Each evening the beach maintenance contractor will travel the length of the beach and remove any items from the beach that are in violation of this ordinance.
The contractor may issue courtesy warnings for items left on the beach as they begin the implementation. When a courtesy warning is issued the material will be tagged informing the owner of the ordinance and the intent to remove the item the following evening if it is not removed.
However, officials are saying these warnings are a courtesy and that the contractor may remove any item from the beach whether or not a prior warning has been issued.
The release states that there may be times and circumstances that the contractor is unable to remove items from the entire length of the beach in a single evening. This inability to fully enforce the ordinance will not change or prevent the contractor from removing the items the next evening without notice.
A couple weeks ago the Panama City Beach City Council passed an ordinance dubbed Leave No Trace that prohibits beach goers from leaving personal property on the beach overnight. Also known as the Tent Ordinance, the initial goal was to eliminate the left over tent skeletons that sometimes seem to pollute our shimmering white sands.

What the ordinance includes.

Specifically, the ordinance states that personal property left on the beach between the hours of 9 pm and 5 am will be considered abandoned and will be disposed of. Some of these items may include tents, chairs, coolers, towels, etc.
On public beaches or with the upland landowner’s permission, guests may store personal property overnight at the Toe of the Dune at their own risk.
The Toe of the Dune is the area of the beach immediately seaward of the dune and beach vegetation. To be specific, it is the area of the beach that is furthest from the water that is not in a sand dune or beach access point.
Items left at the Toe of the Dune will not be removed by the contractor. However, the owners of the personal property storing items at the Toe of the Dune, do so at their own risk. The County, City, TDC and its beach maintenance contractor, do not assume any liability for any items left on the beach after 9:00 pm.

When does the ordinance take effect?

The ordinance is in effect now. However, it’s not being enforced until Sunday, July 8, 2012. Local officials and the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau are getting the program prepared and beginning an awareness campaign so no one’s caught off guard.

How will the program work?

Each evening the beach maintenance contractor will travel the length of the beach and remove any items from the beach that are in violation of this ordinance.
The contractor may issue courtesy warnings for items left on the beach as they begin the implementation. When a courtesy warning is issued the material will be tagged informing the owner of the ordinance and the intent to remove the item the following evening if it is not removed.
However, officials are saying these warnings are a courtesy and that the contractor may remove any item from the beach whether or not a prior warning has been issued.
The release states that there may be times and circumstances that the contractor is unable to remove items from the entire length of the beach in a single evening. This inability to fully enforce the ordinance will not change or prevent the contractor from removing the items the next evening without notice.

Stay At the Beach Rentals

When Chris and I were going back and forth between McMinnville, TN and here, we stayed for a couple months (and a half) at Laketown Wharf (#1236). We really liked it there in the off season and thought that it would be a good one to pass on the deal. We booked through www.stayatthebeachrentals.com . She has several other places as well, and is a lovely lady to work with. We were able to negotiate a little on our price and she was very nice and helpful. Our unit there was very clean and had everything that we needed for our winter stay. There were even beach chairs and umbrella in the master closet. Our unit had a view of the pool and a view of the strip...but some have gulf views. Make sure to ask when you call. Our unit had a master bed/bath, a hallway bunk/bath and a sleeper sofa. We also had more than plenty room for a queen size air mattress when we had company. We slept 8 once in there with no problems. The summer rates are generally around $135 a night or $800 a week. Winter rates are a whole lot cheaper. If you are looking for a deal, give them a call and book something soon!

Resort Quest 20% off

Resort Quest is offering up to 20% in May at their properties in PCB. Even includes dates over Memorial Day Weekend. I looked up a 1 week stay at Seychelles in a 1BR condo that sleeps 6 and with the discount it was right at $1000 for 7 nights {you don't have to stay for 7 nights, but typically that is the best deal}. That's pretty good for a holiday weekend. Here's the link to the special. They have several resorts still open for this coming weekend....what are you waiting for? Grab them before someone else does.

http://www.resortquestpanamacitybeachvacations.com/may-save-20-2012.htm

Furry Friends

                 I got this idea the other day while on the phone with a friend from back home. She was looking for a place to come in PCB with her pet in tow. I thought, man, that will save money by just bringing the animal with her. You can easily drop as much on your boarding as your hotel down here. So to save money on kennel or boarding costs while travelling to PCB.  BRING THEM WITH YOU.  While lots of places have went pet-free....there are still several places your furry friends are welcome...several parks, shopping and restaurants offer places to take your puppy pals. Please check each venues rules on pets, as I got this info from the PCB tourism site. Each place reserves the right to change their policies at any time. As always, please be courteous of others while travelling with your pets, please pick up any waste, keep them on a leash or carrier where required, and always know your pet and think of what environment they will feel safe in. Some loud places such as Pier Park and restaurants may be way too much action for your pet and make them misbehave. Happy Travelling!

Pet Friendly Locations
Frank Brown Park has two pet friendly areas. A fenced in playground is available where dogs can run leash-free, as well as 1.5 miles of dog-friendly trails and greenways.

Doggie Beach is located across from Pier Park and west of the City Pier. The 400 foot beach is open to dogs on leashes, and they love strolling the beach and enjoying the waves in Panama City Beach!

In addition, another Panama City Beach pet friendly spot is Aaron Bessant Park (next to Pier Park), and many people love strolling in the green grass and bright sunshine with their leashed canines in tow. The park also offers a lovely grass amphitheater which plays host to a “Summer Concert Series” on Thursday nights. Dogs are welcome to these events, too!

Pier Park in Panama City Beach, the outdoor shopping mall, is another Panama City Beach pet friendly locale. Ron Jon’s Surf Shop allows dogs inside that can be carried. Otherwise, dogs are not allowed inside stores or restaurants, but are allowed to stroll the streets on leashes with their owners.

The new Panama City Beach Conservation Park provides miles of trails and boardwalks to get some exercise with your pet. Trails are open daily from sunrise to sunset. Read more on the Conservation Park here.

Pet Friendly Lodging:

• Carillon Beach Resort Inn
• Executive Inn
• Florida Palms Motel
• La Quinta Inn and Suites
  
• Monterey Motel
• Park Place Motel
• Pelican Walk Condos
• Pineapple Villas
• Portside Resort
• Seachase
• Seaward Townhomes
• Sandpiper Beacon Beach Resort
• Wisteria Inn
• Lots of Condos are also available on VRBO.com, cyberrentals.com, beachhouse.com, etc.

Pet Friendly Businesses:
* Pawsitively Purrfect Pet Boutique
* Barking Divas Pet Boutique

Pet Friendly Outdoor Dining:
* Hook'd Pier Bar and Grill

* Shuckums on the Beach
* Salty Sue's- Home of the dog-friendly event known as "Yappy
Hour!". Call for details and schedule at 850-234-8485

* Flamingo Joes

Pet Friendly Boating Service:
* St. Andrew Bay Ferry

Off Leash Parks: *Frank Brown Park,16200 Panama City Beach Pkwy, Panama
City Beach
*Zollie Young Dog Park, 3829 E. 43rd St., Panama City *Everitt Avenue Dog Park,1137 Everitt Ave., Panama City

Under Construction!

Coming soon~May 17th~