Ive never been to PCB any time but the summer. The cheaper offseason prices look pretty tempting compared to the peak ones. Now that Ive gotten a little older I dont care so much about missing the crowds and rif-raf of the summer, but if I go I dont want to be bored to death either. Are there still alot of resturaunts and things to do during the winter months in PCB? I figured alot of stuff closes for the winter.

Yeah, a lot tourist restaurants and shops on the beach close, but as you mentioned in the other thread, there is one of the best state parks in Florida right there. You can also go into Panama City, hang a right on Frankford Ave. and take a drive along the cove on down to the Marina and Downtown Panama City. There are restaurants there too and people who live there don't spend $20 for every meal they eat. You can also go up on 23rd street and find all of the usual stores and restaurants that your used to seeing at home. The weather should still be good for just sitting at the beach at least till mid to late November.

Thanks Bob, those are some good ideas.

You mentioned the weather is still good for sitting on the beach through mid Nov, how late in the year is the ocean still warm enough to swim?

Well, that's kind of hard to say. I was living down there in 99 and 2000 and some friends visited me over the 2000 new year and it happened to be unusually warm that day in the low 70's and we took a dip in the gulf on new years day. But the water was cooler and it wasn't like wading around hanging onto a raft while basking in the sun.

You can check out this map
http://www.nodc.noaa.gov/dsdt/cwtg/egof_tmap.html

Water temps in the 70's should be comfortable.

Thats understandable, Im surprised the water is still 80 right now considering all the cool nights.

So do ALL the tourist restaurants and shops on the beach close after peak season? What about the clubs and bars?

I know there are some locals on here. Anybody?

There are plenty of places that stay open all year; Shuckums, Montego Bay, Boatyard, Schooners (I think), most of the local oyster bars. Quite a few of the tourist shops stay open as do most of the bars. Spinnakers might be open just on the weekend and I think Pineapple Willys is open for dinner during the week and has music on the weekends. Depends on what you want. Another popular local bar is Ms. Newby's and they're open year round.
Pier Park plenty of shops and eatery/bars; Margaritaville, Backporch, J Reggie's, Tootsies Orchid Lounge.
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