Sunnyside: Beach Access, Nature, and History

One access point at the Sunnyside Beach and Tennis Resort is private and reserved for use by resort guests. Named beach access points and nearby locations each have a different purpose. Keeping these distinctions in mind can help you plan your stay around the topics that interest you.

Beach Access and Getting Around

The Sunnyside Beach and Tennis Resort offers pedestrians private access to the beach. The route passes through a lighted tunnel under Highway 98 to a pavilion and a wooden boardwalk.

Beach Access 85 is located at 20711 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach, Florida 32413. Another local point of reference is Beach Access 87, which inspired a following called the “87’ers.” The two names refer to different access points. Front Beach Road also runs along the emerald coast in the Panama City Beach host community area and is lined with beach access points. This orientation within the community area supplements the individual beach access points without equating them with the resort’s private access.

Nearby Trails and Nature

Nearby, Panama City Beach Conservation Park covers more than 2,900 acres and has over 24 miles of trails. These area and trail figures give a sense of the park’s scale; for planning purposes, you can consider them separately: the size of the area and the length of its trail network.

Also nearby, at the West End, is Camp Helen State Park. Water surrounds the park on three sides, with Lake Powell forming its eastern boundary. Trails there wind through dunes and scrub oak forests. These landscapes differ from the beach access points: water boundaries, dunes, and vegetation shape how you get around the park.

Fishing, boating, and fires are permitted in designated areas of Camp Helen State Park. The restriction to designated areas is part of these activities’ permitted use. If you plan to take part, keep the specific area in mind rather than assuming the permission applies to the entire park.

Culture and Local History

Nearby, the Man in the Sea Museum offers interactive exhibits and a restored SeaLab underwater habitat. This adds a distinct focus on the underwater world to the nature and beach themes. If you’re interested in this subject, you can consider the exhibits and SeaLab as specific cultural points of interest in the area.

Local history can also be tied to specific events: Sunnyside Beach is described as one of the earlier residential communities in the Panama City Beach area. The first classes of Gulf Beach Presbyterian Church were held at the home of M. E. McCorquodale at Sunnyside Beach. Together, these two details offer insight into the area’s early settlement and community history without requiring a longer historical overview.

Getting Around the Community Area

Bay County Transit operates a bus network with fixed routes within Panama City Beach and in the surrounding areas of the host community. For trip planning, this wider community-area route network is another point of reference alongside beach access points, trails, and cultural attractions.

For a broader travel overview: Panama City Beach.