Hi I am a new member on tripsmarter.com. I wanted to know when the best time to stay is. I have already booked at the Summit on Thomas drive for mid September. Is it still hot at that time? Do hurricanes/tropical storms occur at this time the most? Thanks for reading and I hope I get a good response.

September is a great time to be in PCB! Weather is still hot, water is still warm. All the restaurants and attractions are still open during Sept. If you dislike crowds, make sure you stay AFTER Labor Day, cos that weekend gets very crowded. And the Summit is a great condo... on Thomas Drive, right next to Spinnaker (be sure to eat at their Paradise Grill Restaurant!)

Sept is right in the middle of Tropical Season, so a storm is always a possibility. But, I wouldn't worry about it. Just make sure where you booked has a decent refund or cancelation policy for tropical storms/hurricanes and keep an eye on the weather channel (and Tripsmarter.com) as September approaches.

Welcome to Tripsmarter ffdream5062! You will really enjoy this forum because you can get so much great info about PCB! We live in middle Tennessee and had to reach out to get info about the area. We've been coming there since 2002 and will continue to make it our vacation spot. Like SWN5363 said the weather is great. We always go in October and the water is still great and the weather is warm enough to turn one into a crispy critter if not prepared. Not all of the restaurants and attractions are still open but there are a lot less folks to deal with. Also check out Beach TV online! You can watch it live or when you want to focus on a particular item you can dig into on-demand. Hope you have a GREAT time!

September is my favorite time to go. We have not been able to go that time of year because our daughter's school schedule. Before she started school and before kids, this was when we went. It is not as humid, but warm enough for swimming and sunning. The water is warmer at this time of year then it is in May. The water is usually very clear and calm. Crowds are down and seafood is good. Now I want to go. See what you did? :-) Have a great vacation.

September is great time to go if you like crowds. It's pretty busy during Labor day. I think it is pretty busy the weekend after Labor Day because everybody is cashing in on the cheaper rates.

All in all, you will have a blast. The Summit is an older condo that is right in the thick of the fun.

As for the weather, there is that little chance of a hurricane. Go ahead and count on it raining somewhere on the beach for about 30 minutes to an hour. There will be plenty of hot and sun for everybody. So drink lots and have sunscreen!!

Have fun!

Yes I agree! September is a good month to go to the beach! Alot of schools have started back and the weather is still hot. Hurricane season is just about over and actually the crowds are very smaller after Labor Day weekend. But still lots to do and plenty of people around. Nothing like Panama City Beach! The BEST PLACE I have ever been to on the beach and have been going to since the early 80"s. I have been to DAYTONA, SAN DIEGO, TEXAS and other beaches and they just don't compare to PANAMA CITY BEACH!

Well now that the oil spill is going on should i keep my reservations?

Ffdream5062, I think that is a really good question. I think the answer to that depends on many things. It may depend on the level of connection one feels with PCB. In our case, we really haven't been coming there as long as MANY of the Tripsmarter members we've been lucky enough to meet through this forum. That having been said I know that we hope to live there one day and I would be more than happy to make it my final home. With that in mind my little family intends to be there this fall. Our connection with the area begins with the beautiful beaches but does not end there. I guess we are lucky because we've had the chance to meet so many cool people along the way.Who knows, they, for the most part may not be there on our next trip but I bet there will be more like them. The area attracts like-minded folks who enjoy the sand and the sea. Things may happen to challange what we enjoy but we want to believe that the sand and sea will ultimately win. If your family situation calls for a different location in the short-term than you should do what is needed. I wish we all had a better idea of what is going to happen in the near future but we don't. I guess my little group will continue to say our prayers and hope the area we love so much will be spared. At the same time we also pray for all the areas and individuals who have been hurt by this mess. As I hop off this soap-box, (sorry to be so long winded), I hope your vacation is GREAT no matter where you go! Best of luck to you and yours.

You know what Ridge youre right. Your speech just touched me and i will go to PCB oil or not. Thanks for the motivation and pray that oil does not come to PCB

Well as a lifetime local I would say two things about the oil and the tropical seasons here.

First I would say Panama City is NOT only a beach. There are a lot of things to do and see. If you must have water with your sun exposure then I would recommend Equonfina Springs (not sure if that's spelled right). The cool springs keep you cool, and they are being protected from the oil because its a prime source of drinking water around here. Deerpoint Dam also has a beach-front and will also be free of oil, granted both of these destinations are fresh water and not salt, you can still enjoy sun and cool off in the water without worrying about oil.

Now about the tropical seasons and hurricanes. I think ill agree that you should check for cancellations and refunds with where you are staying, but for me...hurricanes mean some of the gnarliest craziest surf this beach has ever seen! It stays calm most of the year and builds up that sand bar real good and then when a nasty storm rolls through here we get some surf breaks that rival waves in places like California and Hawaii. So if your into natural disasters and raw mother nature, this is the place to be if there's a hurricane. Watch out with long boards though I broke two of them a few years back when Katrina blew through here...them things ain't cheap.

This town, my home, and the rest of the gulf coast also depend greatly on its tourists. Its tourists want to see its beaches...so in reality you will be doing a great thing for this area by planning your vacation to here or anywhere else on the gulf coast, because summer is our season for tourism. If anything its more of a charity to this area so support us by being a tourist, or even better volunteer this summer because were gonna have a lot of oil covered sea gulls and sea turtles to scrub. Hope this helps!

Peace.
-Scott

I agree with everyone else - September is a beautiful, beautiful time to come to the beach. Most of my family and friends actually come to the beach several times a year. We have a beach house right on the Gulf, and we love the beach in the Winter, when it's usually warm and the beaches are quiet and the sky is so clear, you can see all the way to Destin... the spring is BEAUTIFUL... the summers are colorful and full of funloving folks - September and October, though - well - there's something about that time of year that is really special. It's not as crowded, you can get into your favorite restaurants without waiting in line, the fishing is great (fingers crossed here!!!) and... our favorite beach bar has its annual Lobster Fest (fingers REALLY crossed here!). Schooners is on Thomas Drive, close to the Summit. You should check it out - they have live cams, too.Panama City Beach Restaurant - Schooners, The Last Local Beach Club

Our reservations aren't until November, but we plan on being there, oil or not. Like Toni said, fall is a beautiful time to be there and it's a lot more peaceful, if that's what you're looking for. It's still plenty warm in Sept. and not nearly as crowded.
I have faith that our favorite beach will be spared, but if not, we're committed to do what we can to help out, physically, monetarily, or whatever.
ffdream5062, I know you'll fall in love with PCB once you're there, just like we did!

Absolutely, you should come! If for no other reason than to be around all of the cool people urging you not to cancel your reservations in this thread!

September is by far one of the best times to visit PCB...the average temperature is 86 degrees and all of our great local attractions and restaurants are still open for the summer season. If you're worried about the beaches, don't be. There's still plenty to do and see!

PCB is my 2nd home because I have family down there and we make a few trips year round.

We have our trip planned the first week of August. We are NOT cancelling. Remember, there are pools at the condos if you need to be by water.

My kids are still young and they would rather hang out by the pool. I'm just the opposite. There is something about tracking in the sand back and forth from the room to the water carrying coolers, umbrellas, toys, chairs and then running in the Gulf to cool off. I'm praying that I will get to do that this summer.

The oil can not reach the stores in Pier Park, the maze and mini-golf at Coconut Creek, Alvin's Magic Mountain Mall, the little Dippin' Dots store on Front Beach Road, Signal Hill golf course, and the list goes on and on...

I'm sure PCB has not let YOU down on any of your trips. Don't let PCB down by cancelling your trip. <---Sounds like a save the beach slogan.

Sorry 'bout the long winded speech ffdream5062 but I'm really glad you decided to make it PCB. You won't go home disappointed. Our prayers continue for all involved!