I would suggest staying in either Destin or Panama City Beach. Pensacola, Gulf Shores, and Santa Rosa Beach were all hit very hard. There are still major power outages in those areas, plus closed roads, bridges, debris, etc.

Panama City and Destin should both be business as usual by now...

The Pensacola News Journal has alternate routes for traveling in and out of the city. (Remember, HWY 98 between Ft Walton and Destin is closed, as well as the Bay Bridge on HWY 98 in Pcola, the i-10 Bridge in Pcola, and the HWY 90 Bridge in Pcola).