The allure of glistening white Appalachian quartz sands and deep emerald green waters is mesmerizing. Hugging the coastline of Escambia Bay and the Gulf of Mexico in Walton County, this drive delivers with stunning scenery and friendly beach communities, each with its own unique vibe. Find a myriad of recreation opportunities as well as a string of spectacular state parks, rare coastal dune lakes, historic sites, and oh, let’s not forget fabulous shopping and dining. Whether you live nearby or are just visiting, exploring the Panhandle is a true getaway.
Pensacola beach dunes
We begin our drive on the Pensacola Scenic Bluffs Highway (US-90). This treasure travels along the Escambia River south to the Bayou Texar Bridge. From I-10, take exit 17 for US-90 West.
Stop at Chimney Park (H2), named for the Hyer-Knowles Planing Mill Chimney, now on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in the mid-1850s, the chimney is a remnant of an early steam power plant, destroyed during the Civil War by Confederate forces to keep it out of enemy hands. The original bricks were handmade by slaves in a nearby brick factory.
Continue on US-90, passing forested wetlands and quaint towns. Make your next stop the 32-acre Bay Bluffs Park (H1). Here you will find unique red clay bluffs (once use for brick making) and the highest natural vantage point along the entire Florida coastline. Have your camera ready for expansive views overlooking Escambia Bay, and a backdrop of longleaf pine, magnolia and live oak forest. Walk down the extensive boardwalk to the base of the cliffs for a different perspective.
Just below the bridge is Pensacola Bay Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (A2) featuring a wayside park, making this a great stop for watching waterfowl, gulls, and terns as well as to get regional information.
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