The Local Way to the Emerald Coast

An insider’s guide to living—and vacationing—like a local

There’s something visitors often say when they arrive on the Emerald Coast: “We want to live like the locals.”

We hear it in restaurants, on fishing piers, and along our sugar-white beaches. Travelers want more than a postcard experience. They want the inside scoop—the places residents actually love, the hidden gems tucked between well-known landmarks, and the authentic rhythm of coastal life.

That idea inspired this year’s edition of  At the Beach.

For 2026, we intentionally focused on locally owned businesses, homegrown experiences, and the people who shape the character of this remarkable stretch of coastline. From Pensacola to Panama City Beach, the Emerald Coast is filled with passionate entrepreneurs, artists, chefs, and outdoor guides who give this region its unmistakable personality. When you support them, you don’t just enjoy a memorable vacation—you help sustain the community that makes this place special.

Throughout these pages, you’ll discover ways to experience the coast the way locals do. Dive into our roundup of favorite snorkeling and diving spots in “Diving Deeper,” or brush up on beach skills with coastal adventures ranging from surf lessons to fishing excursions. Hungry? Our guide “A Taste of the Coast” shares restaurants locals return to again and again—whether it’s a casual seafood shack or a special-occasion dinner with a Gulf view.

You’ll also find inspiration beyond the shoreline. Explore a self-guided tour of the region’s vibrant public art installations, from whimsical pelicans and herons to murals and sculptures celebrating coastal culture. Discover historic inns with timeless charm, browse beloved independent bookstores, and create your own souvenir through hands-on art experiences with local makers.

Of course, the beach itself still steals the show. In this issue’s “The Healing Power of the Sea,” we celebrate the restorative power of the ocean. Whether you’re walking along the shore at sunrise, kayaking a coastal dune lake, or simply letting the Gulf breeze reset your perspective, there’s something undeniably healing about time spent here.

For me, helping shape this guide is especially meaningful. I’ve called the Emerald Coast home since 1999, though I’ve been fortunate to live along every coast of the United States—from the Atlantic to the Pacific and even the shores of the Great Lakes. Each has its own beauty, but there is something uniquely magical about the emerald water, quartz-white sand, and warm hospitality found here in Northwest Florida.

I previously had the privilege of serving as editor of Emerald Coast Magazine for eight years, so returning to help shepherd this issue of At the Beach feels a bit like welcoming friends back to a place I love deeply.

Whether this is your first visit or your fifteenth, I hope these pages help you discover something new. Wander a little farther down the beach. Try that local restaurant someone recommended. Strike up a conversation with a shop owner, artist, or fisherman—you may just uncover your own Emerald Coast story.

After all, the best vacations don’t just show you a  destination.

They help you feel like you belong.

Welcome to the beach.

Zandra Wolfgram, Editor