Girls Trip Itinerary
Catching some rays under the Florida sun is already a dream come true. But this guide is for the friend groups who want to head home with memories that will last longer than their tans. Here’s our well-tested guide to a girls trip on Pensacola Beach.
The Main Hangs
Casino Beach
Want to show off your bikinis and drink on the beach? This is the perfect place. The East side of the Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier allows open alcohol consumption in moderation. Just make sure there’s no glass and you throw all your trash away. Casino Beach is the center of the party, so lay out your towels here if you love the energy of a crowd. This beach is easily located thanks to our iconic Pensacola beach ball water tower.
Quiet Water Beach
Like the water but hate the waves? Try this soundside beach. The calm waters are perfect for paddle-boarders and lovers of enormous floaties. It’s also shallow enough to wade out with your beverage of your choosing. You’ll find it behind Bamboo Willie’s Beachside Bar. Make sure to take a picture with the giant shell before you leave!
Gulf Islands National Seashore
You can’t find a more private stretch of beach than the Gulf Islands National Seashore. It’s the perfect place to relax and soak in the beauty of nature. Drive here for an uninterrupted waterside picnic and photoshoot. We stop and park on the side of the road when we don’t see any other cars for a stretch.
Making Your Way Around
Walking
If you’re staying in the main Pensacola Beach area (Quiet Water and Casino Beach) walking is the easiest and fastest way to travel.
Trolley
If you’re wanting to head out further towards Fort Pickens or the Gulf Islands National Seashore, we recommend taking the FREE trolley that runs from May 27th – September 6th. Three trolleys will be there to whisk you around 7 days a week from 4:00 pm to 11:30 pm. A trolley map and tracker can be found on goecat.com under routes/maps
The Fun Store
It’s in the name! This is the fun way to get around. The store rents out scoot coupes (tiny cars you’ll see zooming along Pensacola Beach), bikes, electric bikes, tandem bikes, and scooters. It’s a great way to welcome more laughs and more photo opportunities into your trip. Check them out here on our tours and activities page.
Food and Drink
Restaurants
Salt
Salt, located inside Hilton Pensacola Beach, prides itself on serving the finest local ingredients from land and sea to create amazing dishes. Serving a different menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as brunch means you and the girls have options when deciding which meal you’ll savor here.
Water Pig BBQ
Water Pig BBQ is a unique local experience that is a safe haven for those who love the beach, but not the seafood. They specialize in house-smoked meats, homemade southern sides and contemporary cocktails. This open-air setting is perfect for a casual night out with the girls after a long day at the beach.
Bonsai
A trip to the 2nd floor of Hilton Pensacola Beach opens the doors to Bonsai, a restaurant serving gourmet Asian fusion cuisine. Expect an exquisite array of sushi, Wagyu beef, top shelf sake, aged soy and even Southern “Smoked” spicy tuna rolls topped with two types of caviar. The stunning views of the gulf will pair beautifully with your meal.
Bars
Sneaky Tiki
Sneaky Tiki is a seasonal soundside tiki bar with a laid-back atmosphere. It’s located in the back of the Pensacola Beach RV Resort but is open to the public. Multiple lounging areas, regular specials, and live music make it a great place to spend a lazy day. Our favorite thing to do is to throw a floaty in the sound and sip on one of their reasonably priced, but outrageously delicious, drinks.
Bamboo Willies
Bamboo Willies is an adult slushie paradise located on QuietWater beach boardwalk. They boast a long line of flavors that range from wildberry to swamp juice. If you love rock music in its various forms, this is also the place to get your live music.
Sal de Mar
Sal De Mar is the place to be if you’re looking for something swankier. You’ll find this bar on the Hilton pool deck, but it’s open to guests and walk-ins alike. The main draw is their 40 oz margaritas. The smoked pineapple margarita particularly wows in both presentation and flavor. Enjoy it with a side of calamari, conch fritters, or another plate of their Spanish-inspired tapas.
Top 5 Things to do During Your Girls Trip
Brunch it Up!
What’s a girls’ outing without brunch? For a luxurious experience try Brunch2O at the Hiltons’ Salt. Other great spots include Water Pig BBQ, Café Nola, and Flounders.
Relax with a Spa Visit
A Pensacola Beach vacation is the best excuse to pamper yourselves! Island Skye Spa is a local startup salon focusing on clean beauty. They’ll offer you all the glam with innovative techniques and formulas to protect the long-term health of your hair, skin, and nails. Indulge in a variety of treatments such as the gua sha facial, goddess facial, and deep tissue massage! It’s also easy to pop in for your appointment thanks to its central location right across the street from the Hilton.
Cruisin’ Tikis
Float into the sunset with Cruisin Tiki’s Pensacola Beach. This experience is just what it sounds like: An island tiki bar plopped right into Little Sabine Bay. Seeing one for the first time is surreal and cruising along in one is magical. Drink on the water, visit local bars, and take in stunning views of the bay and its marine life. Each floating tiki can accommodate up to six people. Options include three hour and one and half hour day cruises, one and half hour sunset cruises, and custom tours. Bring your own booze and food to the party, or have the tiki pull up to a waterside establishment to order to-go.
Epic Bar Crawl
Pensacola Beach is known for its libations and there’s no better way to enjoy it than a bar crawl! Pit stops include Sneaky Tiki, Red Fish Blue Fish, Water Pig BBQ, The Break, The Reef, Bamboo Willies, and Flounders. Finish things off at the Sandshaker Lounge for the Original Bushwacker, Pensacola’s signature drink, and one you’re sure to fall in love with.
Luxury Picnics
This is an experience you all deserve. A backdrop of sparkling waters and a gorgeous picnic laid out on sugar-white sand. Enjoy decadent food, wine and a carefully crafted atmosphere. Check out Sunset Beach Picnics by Grocery Concierge. They’ll provide everything you need for a truly magicial beach picnic experience. They’ll have your picnic set up with plush pillows and throws. Your picnic items will be arranged on low custom-made tables. All you and your girl friends have to do is sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery.
Getting Here
Lodging
Beach Report