Panama City Beach Access Points and Where to Find Them

By Jasmin DiazDecember 28th, 2023

Heading to PCB? It can feel oddly tricky to figure out exactly where to put your toes in the sand. Not all public access beach points are made equally; sometimes you just wish you had a little insight on the best spots and what they have to offer. This guide will give you an idea of what to expect at Panama City Beach’s public access points, from bathrooms and facilities to the parking situation. So grab your sunscreen and your swimsuit and head on out there, knowing what you’re getting into before you brave the crowds!

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Public Beach Access 2

4823 Spyglass Dr, Panama City, FL 32408

Restrooms: Not Available

Showers: Not Available

Parking: Street Parking

This is a local favorite for beach outings. It’s less crowded than many other spots on PCB, but parking is very limited–so arrive early or take an Uber. Beware the areas marked with no parking signs; vehicles do get towed from this Panama City Beach access point. If you aren’t set on a beach with facilities nearby, this is a gorgeous one–and you’ll find plenty of restaurants within walking distance.

Public Beach Access 5

# 32408, 5 Gulf View Dr, Panama City Beach, FL 32413

Restrooms: Not Available

Showers: Not Available

Parking: 8-10 spots

A popular beach spot in Panama City Beach, you won’t find much solitude at this access point on most days. But you will find calm waters; waves are blocked by a sandbar a little way out, making it a great beach for kids and those less confident in the water. Parking is hit-or-miss; it fills up quickly at peak times. This beach access is right next to the popular Schooner’s restaurant, so arriving and leaving can feel crowded during lunch and dinner hours.

Public Beach Access 3

4931 Spyglass Dr., Panama City, FL, 32408

Restrooms: Not Available

Showers: Not Available

Parking: Very Limited

You won’t find much parking here, but this is another beach that’s great if you’re taking a ride-share anyway. You won’t find crowds of beachgoers here; it’s peaceful and calm, conducive to long walks on the sand.

Public Beach Access 45

Oleander Drive, Panama City Beach, FL 32407

Restrooms: Yes

Showers: Yes

Parking: Street Parking

A calm beach with a boardwalk, this Panama City Beach access spot is a favorite for its smooth, white sand and unobstructed views. Not all public beach access points have restrooms and outdoor showers, but this one does!

Public Beach Access 23

8629 Surf Drive, Panama City Beach, FL 32408

Restrooms: Not Available

Showers: Not Available

Parking: Street parking

A less-frequented beach boasting calm, crystal-clear waters and a hefty dose of solitude, you can expect to have the place mostly to yourself. The waters here remain fairly shallow for a good distance out from shore, making it a great choice for families with kids.

Public Beach Access 13

6707 Gulf Drive, Panama City Beach, FL 32408

Restrooms: Not Available

Showers: Not Available

Parking: Street parking

This public Panama City Beach access point is tucked behind a small neighborhood of condos, and parking is limited to whatever you can find on the side of the street without blocking anyone’s driveway. But the beach itself is very clean and well-maintained, and it’s hardly ever crowded.

Public Beach Access 36

& Ocean Villa Condos, Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, FL 32407

Restrooms: Not Available

Showers: Not Available

Parking: Not available

This beach access primarily serves those staying at the Ocean Villa Hotel, and as such, there’s no public parking. But it is a gorgeous spot if you have a way to get there. Don’t expect restrooms or showers, but you will be close to various restaurants and shops within walking distance.

Public Beach Access 24

8715 Surf Drive, Panama City Beach, FL 32408

Restrooms: Not Available

Showers: Not Available

Parking: Small Lot

You’ll find a handful of parking spaces and a stunning view of the sunset at this beach park. Though you won’t find shower or restroom facilities here, you will find a clean, lovely beach–the perfect spot to spend a few hours or an entire day.

Rick Seltzer Park

7419 Thomas Drive, Panama City Beach, FL 32408

Restrooms: Yes

Showers: Yes

Parking: Ample Parking in a Free Lot

This is one of just four public Panama City Beach each access point with its own dedicated parking area. A popular spot year-round, Rick Seltzer Park offers well-maintained facilities including picnic areas, a covered pavilion, restrooms, and rinse-off shower stations. The beach itself is more crowded than some on this list–for good reason. It’s kid-friendly, with generally calm waves and shallow waters, and has everything you need to settle in and relax for a while.

Public Beach Access 12A

6617 Gulf Beach Drive, Panama City Beach, FL 32408

Restrooms: Not available

Showers: Not available

Parking: Not available

This beach access abuts a condominium complex, with no public parking in sight. If you’re not within walking distance, you’d need to take a rideshare service or taxi. But it’s a great spot if you want to be well off the beaten tourist path.

Public Beach Access 4

5127 Gulf Drive, Panama City Beach, FL 32408

Restrooms: Not Available

Showers: Not available

Parking: Street parking

Parking at this public beach access point is limited to street parking, which requires some luck; there aren’t many spots. The beach itself is lovely; it’s very close to Schooner’s Restaurant, one of the more popular beach restaurants on PCB, along with other restaurants and shops within walking distance.

Public Beach Access 7

5401 Gulf Drive, Panama City Beach, FL 32408

Restrooms: Not Available

Showers: Not Available

Parking: Not available

You won’t find public parking near this location–and there are no restrooms or showers. But if you can get dropped off, this is a great spot to enjoy a quiet stretch of beach behind private homes/vacation rentals.

Paid Parking Options

As you can see, you’ve got plenty of options when it comes to accessing the beach–but the parking situation can be tough. If you don’t have lodging within easy walking distance of the beach, your best bet might be one of the city’s paid lots.

The city maintains three paid parking lots for beachgoers at the following locations:

You might want to download the Passport Parking app ahead of time to streamline the process of paying for parking at these locations. All are within a block or two of the beach–an easy walk.