If the beauty of a natural coastal habitat appeals to you, then you'll love the Pensacola area. You can find excellent waterfront living all around - Perdido Bay, Big Lagoon, Pensacola Bay, Santa Rosa Sound, the Gulf of Mexico, East Bay, Escambia Bay, Blackwater Bay and Navarre Beach.

The area is graced by sugar-white (quartz) sand beaches and sea-oat covered dunes. The region offers incredible outdoor opportunities. Thousands of pristine acres remain protected in the Gulf Islands National Seashore. About 25 miles of its 150 miles are located in the Big Lagoon State Recreation Area and in the Perdido Key State Recreation Area. A 40-foot tower at Big Lagoon park provides a terrific view of marshlands, dunes, birds and animals.
 

Nature lovers can camp on a first-come, first-served basis at Fort Pickens Campground (189 sites) in the National Seashore area on Santa Rosa Island. Two narrow barrier islands (Perdido Key and Santa Rosa) shelter the city and its namesake bay from the Gulf of Mexico.

Inland, 590 tranquil acres comprise the Blackwater River State Park with its famous sand-bottom river and clean, dark tannin waters. With open canopy forests accented by diverse flora and fauna in and around it, the river attracts canoe aficionados and environmentalists.

Naturally, with water everywhere, water sports enthrall many local enthusiasts. Windsurfing and jet skiing attract some, while the USS Massachusetts beckons divers to its underwater archeological preserve. The venerable battleship is still in service--as a giant artificial reef. Laminated maps assist divers on self-guided explorations of the ship. Others prefer more sedentary activities like fishing from the Bob Sikes Fishing Bridge over Santa Rosa Sound. Miles of seashore await walkers. So do The Bluffs, with scenic walkways and spectacular views of Escambia Bay. Serious hikers enjoy the numerous nature trails in the Naval Live Oaks area of the National Seashore on the east side of Gulf Breeze.

Florida boasts more golf courses than any other state, including a dozen or so in the Pensacola area. Five of them  are considered to be in Florida's top 100: the Moors in Milton (site of the Emerald Coast Golf Classic), Marcus Pointe in Pensacola, the East Course at the Tiger Point Golf and County Club in Gulf Breeze and Hidden Creek in Navarre.  The area offers 90-plus recreational areas--swimming pools, tennis courts, and parks-- for its growing number of residents.