Pensacola Beach Weekend
October 6–9, 2017
It's back to the islands!
Our first ever ride in Florida, this will be at Pensacola Beach and Santa Rosa Island.
The Island includes Pensacola Beach near the western end and Navarre Beach on the eastern end. On the extreme western end is Fort Pickens which guarded the entrance to Pensacola Bay Harbor and the Navy Shipyard for over a century. Half of the island is part of the National Park Service's Gulf Islands National Seashore.
Riding Santa Rosa Island
The part of the island that we'll be riding is about 27 miles long. On the west end, Fort Pickens is 10 miles from Pensacola Beach. On the east end, Navarre Beach is 17 miles from Pensacola Beach. The riding is mostly on bike facilities, all paved, mostly off road. Along the entire island, pull outs allow you to park yer bike and check out the beaches.
Fort Pickens is set up for biking and walking. The Fort is open for self-guided and guided walking tours. There is a small admission to the Fort area, so bring your National Parks pass if you have one.
Two miles west of Pensacola Beach is Peg Leg Pete's, our Friday evening restaurant.
Pensacola Beach has lots of lodging, restaurants, and shops. Our headquarters hotel, Days Inn Pensacola Beachfront, is right in the middle of it, on the beach.
Most of the land between Pensacola and Navarre Beaches is part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, so no development other than some places to access the beaches.
Navarre Beach is a small town with a long pier and restaurant (Lagerheads on the Gulf).
The Weekend Itinerary
We're on the islands. We don't need no stinking' itinerary!
Still,
Friday evening
After you arrive and check in, head to Peg Leg Pete's for food, grog, and parlaying.
Saturday
Most will probably ride west ten miles from Pensacola Beach to Fort Pickens and check out the fort, museum, and other sights. Then, ride back to P.B. and as far east as you care to. Check out the pier at Navarre Beach and the beaches along the way. If that's more riding than you need, drive to Navarre Beach. If you make it there, you deserve a stop at Lagerheads on the Gulf..
In the evening, the group may want to gather at one of the restaurants in Pensacola Beach.
Sunday
Ride east towards Navarre Beach, if you haven't already. Or hit the beaches. Or check out the National Naval Aviation Museum across the Bay on the way home.
Lodging
Our Second Sunday Headquarters is the fabulous Days Inn Pensacola Beachfront. We have a group rate.
Fort Pickens Campground is in the Fort Pickens area.
Pensacola Beach RV Resort is directly across the street from the Days Inn Pensacola Beachfront:.
Restaurants
More information about the area:
October 6–9, 2017
It's back to the islands!
Our first ever ride in Florida, this will be at Pensacola Beach and Santa Rosa Island.
The Island includes Pensacola Beach near the western end and Navarre Beach on the eastern end. On the extreme western end is Fort Pickens which guarded the entrance to Pensacola Bay Harbor and the Navy Shipyard for over a century. Half of the island is part of the National Park Service's Gulf Islands National Seashore.
Riding Santa Rosa Island
The part of the island that we'll be riding is about 27 miles long. On the west end, Fort Pickens is 10 miles from Pensacola Beach. On the east end, Navarre Beach is 17 miles from Pensacola Beach. The riding is mostly on bike facilities, all paved, mostly off road. Along the entire island, pull outs allow you to park yer bike and check out the beaches.
Fort Pickens is set up for biking and walking. The Fort is open for self-guided and guided walking tours. There is a small admission to the Fort area, so bring your National Parks pass if you have one.
Two miles west of Pensacola Beach is Peg Leg Pete's, our Friday evening restaurant.
Pensacola Beach has lots of lodging, restaurants, and shops. Our headquarters hotel, Days Inn Pensacola Beachfront, is right in the middle of it, on the beach.
Most of the land between Pensacola and Navarre Beaches is part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, so no development other than some places to access the beaches.
Navarre Beach is a small town with a long pier and restaurant (Lagerheads on the Gulf).
The Weekend Itinerary
We're on the islands. We don't need no stinking' itinerary!
Still,
Friday evening
After you arrive and check in, head to Peg Leg Pete's for food, grog, and parlaying.
Saturday
Most will probably ride west ten miles from Pensacola Beach to Fort Pickens and check out the fort, museum, and other sights. Then, ride back to P.B. and as far east as you care to. Check out the pier at Navarre Beach and the beaches along the way. If that's more riding than you need, drive to Navarre Beach. If you make it there, you deserve a stop at Lagerheads on the Gulf..
In the evening, the group may want to gather at one of the restaurants in Pensacola Beach.
Sunday
Ride east towards Navarre Beach, if you haven't already. Or hit the beaches. Or check out the National Naval Aviation Museum across the Bay on the way home.
Lodging
Our Second Sunday Headquarters is the fabulous Days Inn Pensacola Beachfront. We have a group rate.
- Phone the hotel: 850-934-3300.
- Identify yourself as a proud member of the group, Second Sunday Riders.
- Our rooms are some Kings and mostly Double Queens. Facing the island (not the Gulf). Price is $109/night. That includes breakfast, microwave, refrigerator, internet, etc.
- To get our special rate make your reservation by September 9, 2017.
- You can cancel the reservation up to 48 hours before arrival.
Fort Pickens Campground is in the Fort Pickens area.
Pensacola Beach RV Resort is directly across the street from the Days Inn Pensacola Beachfront:.
Restaurants
- Peg Leg Pete's – 1010 Ft Pickens Rd, Pensacola Beach, FL 32561 – http://peglegpetes.com
- Many more restaurants in Pensacola Beach. Any recommendations, please let me know.
- Lagerheads on the Gulf – On the Navarre Beach Pier – http://lagerheadsonthegulf.com
- Captain Joey Patti's Grill – http://www.captainjoeysdeli.com
- McGwire's Irish Pub – 600 E. Gregory St., Pensacola, FL 32502-9971– http://www.mcguiresirishpub.com
More information about the area:
- Gulf Islands National Seashore – https://www.nps.gov/guis/index.htm
- Fort Pickens – https://www.nps.gov/guis/learn/historyculture/upload/032516_Fort-PickensSelfGuiding.pdf
- National Naval Aviation Museum – http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org